A survey of geophysical prospecting methods

Existing geophysical prospecting methods were studied with the emphasis on reflection seismic practices. From the wave equation, the derivation of the transmission and reflection coefficients for plane polarized waves in elastic modiam by M. Musket and M, W. Meres was sketched. Other sources of energy loss were considered. A small dome structure was sketched and constants assigned that are typical of those encountered In practice. It was approximated that the presence of oil or gas affected the density of a bed without affecting the velocity. On this assumption, and other approximations and simplifications the comparable energies arriving at the surface were computed and plotted, this result was compared to what might he expected if the formation contained no oil or gas. A maximum deviation of about 14% occurred. The points of importance for the applications of these principles to an actual field problem were considered and listed.