Investigation of geophysical challenges in land seismic data acquisition in Nigeria: case study of parts of the Niger Delta region

Geophysical analysis was carried out to evaluate the challenges encountered in land seismic exploration within the study area. This analysis cuts across various stages in land seismic acquisition. These stages include the following: the availability of the prospect map as originally planned by the prospect owners—the client, the desk study and planning of this map by the seismology section (planning seismologist) for acquisition convenience and the field implementation of the acquisition which the survey, drill and recording (preloading, shooting, swath move, line check, LAUX crew and recording platform) sections carried out. The challenges observed included environmental challenges, noise interference, weather conditions (statics or electrostatics interference), line break, faulty equipment, wrong detailing, cake or expired explosives, poor or compromised supervision, security and permit challenges. These challenges are peculiar to Nigeria due to inadequate implementation of policies that guide human settlements and activities. Nigeria is within the climate region where most at times it is very impossible to control natural events like cloudy weather, rainfall, thundering and lightening. As such, the problem of static charges interfering with acquired seismic data becomes inevitable, mostly during the rainy season. Almost total dependency on imported technology and lack of readily available experienced manpower also contribute to these challenges, most especially when it has to do with proper inspection of equipment and materials required for the acquisition and supervision processes. Approaches to follow to minimize the observed challenges were equally highlighted.