ERRORS
All measurement systems have errors and seismic surveys are no exception. Positioning errors may range from trivial random errors that have negligible effect to significant gross errors that will degrade the quality of the final seismic data. The extent and severity depend on the type and environment of the survey, the positioning techniques used and whether you employ a positioning QC equipped with the right tools and knowledge or not.
What we have noticed over the years, is the number and variety of errors that we detect, despite the contractor knowing that we are checking the data, and therefore being at their most diligent when we are present. The other factor we notice, is the number of these errors that would be almost impossible to detect without specialised software and techniques that can make scanning the enormous volume of data manageable.
Please read on starting with Error Types for an explanation of which errors are probably compromising the resolution of your data, without you realising it if you don’t have a positioning QC equipped with the right tools to detect and minimise them.