The role of the seismic processing QC is to provide external supervision for processing projects to ensure that clients are provided with the highest possible products within their budget and timeframe. Richard Goodchild and Kevin Lawes, Senior Geophysicists at EPI, explain more about a service that some people may not be aware is offered by the company.

EPI  have a group of highly experienced processing consultants specialising in time and depth processing in Marine, Land & Transition Zone environments, all with over 20 years of industry experience in geographical areas spanning the globe. They are also conversant with technologies at most of the larger processing houses.

Key aspects of the role are as follows:

• Understanding client’s key objectives and main target areas, ensuring these are understood and observed by the processing team throughout the project.
• Ensuring that the processing contractor has all necessary data and information.
• Develop an appropriate testing sequence and ensure that the project schedule is achievable.
• Ensure Quality Control standards and schedules are met throughout the project and suggest remedial action where necessary.
• Review all testing and select parameters.
• Meet face to face with the processing contractor on a regular basis and provide meeting reports to their clients.
• Inspect and assure all processing final products are in good condition, including the Final Processing Report.

In addition to a review of data at the Contractors office, or via PowerPoint, EPI have a fully licensed Shearwater Reveal processing system on which SEGY format data, despatched by the Contractor, can be loaded. This allows the running of confirmatory parameter testing, interactive QC procedures, and checking of sample final deliverables etc. EPI also have Petrel and Kingdom interpretation software available to assist in visualisation of large 2D and 3D volumes.

Senior Geophysicists, Richard Goodchild (left) and Kevin Lawes (right)

People profile: Richard Goodchild

We chatted to Richard; he told us about the intricacies of his job, his journey to EPI and a surprise wake up at 2 o’clock in the morning.

What is your role at EPI? And what do you do?

I work within the EPI Applied Geophysical Solutions division as a Senior Geophysicist, running the seismic processing side of the business. My role is varied but the main emphasis is on seismic processing QC projects and seismic production processing (particularly marine data). Here at EPI we process data in-house and specialise in small to medium-sized 2D and small 3D projects with bespoke re-processing of vintage data being a particular speciality. On the processing QC side, I am frequently out and about visiting processing contractors on behalf of our clients. Other aspects of my role include internal and offshore technical support, meeting clients, tendering, and attending conferences, with a bit of technical reading & training thrown in for good measure whenever time permits.

What brought you to EPI group

I joined EPI quite by chance in early 2017, when the company I had worked for previously finally succumbed to the slump in oil price and ceased trading in late 2016. Whilst taking a couple of months off and working my way through an alarmingly long list of home DIY tasks I applied for a temporary position at EPI, having heard about the opening through a mutual friend of another EPI employee. During my interview, it was felt that my skill set was more suited to a different role and happily I was offered my current position on a permanent basis with a remit to help grow the seismic processing & QC side of the business.

What is your favourite part of your job/working at EPI?

The variable nature of the job and the flexible working environment. EPI is very supportive when it comes to balancing work with a busy family life and they give me the freedom to work accordingly.

Tell us a fun/interesting fact about you.

I’m not sure about the ‘fun’ part but whilst living in a shared house at University I was once extracted from my bed at 2.00a.m. at gunpoint by a police firearms squad and dog unit (they were looking for my housemate).

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: EPI Group