Leveraging SEG-Y_r2.1 to Increase Efficiency and Reduce Risk

The SEG has recently published a clarification note for the SEG-Y_r2.1 format, together with an example file that contains metadata in extended textual headers. This work has been completed in collaboration with the IOGP Geomatics Committee to support organisations that wish to leverage the SEG-Y_r2.1 format and enable the realisation of wider industry objectives around transformational workflows through the adoption and application of open standards. This will serve to enable the automated exchange of seismic data and reduce the risk of introducing positional error through deficiencies in current data transfer and loading processes. The inclusion of extended textual headers in the SEG-Y format presents an opportunity to increase both efficiency and reliability and address the risks and limitations in seismic data management processes that have barely changed for decades. IOGP P format records are presented as an already established solution to addressing the issue of missing or unstructured positioning metadata.