GL5545: Seismic Reflection Acquisition and Processing

GL5545: SEISMIC REFLECTION ACQUISITION AND PROCESSING (2025-2026)

Last modified: 22 Jul 2026 13:41

Course Overview

This module will cover on the most important essentials of reflection seismics: from basic to advanced information on how seismic data are acquired and processed to generate images of the subsurface. Practical exercises involving processing of seismic reflection data will form a significant part of the curriculum with the aim of familiarising students with key industry software packages.

Course Details

Study Type	Postgraduate	Level	5
Term	Second Term	Credit Points	15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr David Cornwell

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

MSc Geophysics
Any Postgraduate Programme

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

The theory and practical aspects of seismic reflection data acquisition will be covered, both in marine and land environments. Students will then follow a practical seismic processing task, with relevant theory and background information on the key steps, using an industry-standard processing package.

Pre-stack processing: Reformatting seismic data; assigning geometry to seismic trace headers 2. Trace gathering 3. Velocity analysis: NMO stretching, muting, semblance, coherence maps 4. Comparing semblance maps, picking a semblance map; picking reflection events 5. Normal move-out correction; stacking CMP gathers 6. Editing: Killing and muting traces 7. Testing and applying deconvolution (deterministic and statistical: wavelet amplitude and phase shaping, predictive deconvolution) band pass filtering 8. Residual statics correction, velocity analysis iteration 9. Multiple suppression (FK, FX, Radon-domian, Tua-p and SRME) 10. Migration: principles, methods (Kirchloff, FD, FK), Post- and pre- stack time and depth migration
Post-stack processing, generating a client stack

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 21st September 2026 for Term 1 and Full Year courses and 8th January 2027 for Term 2 courses.

Summative Assessments

Exam

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	50
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Procedural	Apply	Apply the theory of seismic reflection processing to process a marine seismic line with industry standard software.
Procedural	Understand	An understanding of the key elements of how seismic reflection data are acquired.

Acquisition Practicals

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	20
Assessment Weeks	27,29	Feedback Weeks	28,30	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Procedural	Apply	Apply the theory of seismic reflection processing to process a marine seismic line with industry standard software.

Formative Assessment

Processing Practicals

Assessment Type	Formative	Weighting	30
Assessment Weeks	25,26	Feedback Weeks	26,27	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Procedural	Understand	An understanding of the key elements of how seismic reflection data are acquired.

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Procedural	Apply	Apply the theory of seismic reflection processing to process a marine seismic line with industry standard software.
Procedural	Understand	An understanding of the key elements of how seismic reflection data are acquired.

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