Non-seismic methods
Seismic surveying and imaging are central to our success. But they are also part of a suite of technologies that we use in the push to explore areas faster, more thoroughly and with more certainty. In recent years, for example, we have made great use of remote sensing techniques to help us map and evaluate possible new oil and gas fields before starting seismic surveys on the surface.
In subsea environments, we have also had great success with the new technology of electromagnetic surveying, or 
seabed logging. When added to seismic imaging, this can provide increased certainty that we will hit the right spot with an exploration well.
Remote sensing uses satellite and aircraft to map large areas quickly. Satellites can help us to map the geology of large areas using photographic, radar and thermal imagery. We use aircraft to carry out high resolution magnetic and gravity gradient surveys. These techniques are sometimes used as the first part of the process of acquiring data and developing increasingly detailed knowledge about the geology of the Earth’s surface and subsurface. A Shell-led project in Saudi Arabia demonstrated this targeting approach.
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