The low frequency response of high resolution airgun arrays

During the past ten years the development and deployment of sleeve airguns and water guns have significantly improved the high frequency content on the final seismic section with a consequent gain in resolution. A critical issue is to what extent the industry's quest for improved high frequency has resulted in loss of low frequency energy and a reduction in penetration. This paper uses a simple theoretical model to examine the compromises, and illustrates the conclusion using results from seismic surveys.