Seismic Soundoff

• Data, Insight, and Risk in Modern Geoscience

  "Sustainability is about reliance and resilience. Our focus needs to be on how systems remain reliable over time." Céline Gerson shares how Fugro is reshaping its business to focus on resilience, adaptability, and sustainability. She explains the importance of critical minerals, coastal resilience, and digital transformation for the future of geophysics. Her insights highlight how innovation, respect, and collaboration can help geoscientists succeed in a rapidly changing world. KEY TAKEAWAYS > Innovation often emerges during times of crisis, and companies can use downturns to launch new technologies and approaches. > Applied geophysics plays a direct role in climate resiliency projects, from strengthening coastal infrastructure to modeling storm surge impacts. > Transparency about data limitations and involving diverse teams in decision-making strengthens risk management and builds trust in geoscience recommendations. GUEST BIO Céline Gerson is the Group Director Americas at Fugro and President of Fugro USA. With over 25 years of experience, Céline has a proven record of successfully growing complex technical businesses across various industries. Before joining Fugro, Céline served as Vice President, Global Account Director for Schlumberger. She was particularly focused on energy transition, sustainability, and digital transformation. Before that, she was President of Schlumberger Canada. Along with being a Harvard Business School Alumna, Céline holds a Bachelor’s degree from the European University of Brussels and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston. THIS EPISODE SPONSORED BY STRYDE STRYDE enables high-resolution subsurface imaging that helps emerging sectors such as CCS, hydrogen, geothermal, and minerals de-risk and accelerate exploration - delivered through the industry’s fastest, most cost-efficient, and agile seismic solution. Discover more about STRYDE at https://stryde.io/what-we-do.

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• Fiber Optics, DAS, and the Future of Geophysical Monitoring

  "Sometimes the traditional methods are way more effective or efficient in handling certain things. To succeed in this new paradigm, we need to build on our strong fundamentals and progress further." Ivan Lim Chen Ning shares how data-driven methods are reshaping geophysics by challenging traditional workflows and opening new possibilities. He highlights the role of AI, machine learning, and fiber-optic sensing in improving seismic interpretation, imaging, and monitoring. His insights show how combining strong fundamentals with modern digital tools can help geophysicists solve problems more effectively. Read the September issue of TLE about data-driven geophysics at https://library.seg.org/toc/leedff/44/9. KEY TAKEAWAYS > AI and data-driven tools open new paths. They help geophysicists move beyond traditional workflows to find faster and simpler solutions. > Fiber-optic sensing changes monitoring. DAS provides continuous well data, replacing point sensors and revealing signals directly. > Strong fundamentals still matter. Success comes from combining proven geophysical methods with modern digital skills. GUEST BIO Ivan Lim Chen Ning is an Earth Scientist – Fiber Optics at Chevron, where he analyzes Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing (DFOS) data and develops real-time algorithms for field applications. He applies deep learning and signal processing to improve DFOS workflows, advancing distributed acoustic sensing in the energy industry. A member of Chevron’s Emerging Leader 2024 cohort, Ivan is recognized for solving cross-disciplinary challenges and driving innovation to help secure energy for the future.

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• The Role of Drones in Modern Geophysical Exploration

  "The applications of drones in geophysics have increased dramatically in the last 10 years. Drones can be said to be an established platform for geophysical measurement methods." Drones have quickly moved from experimental tools to essential platforms in geophysics. Johannes Stoll explains how advances in sensor miniaturization, AI navigation, and regulatory clarity are enabling wide-area surveys that deliver better data at lower costs. He highlights how collaboration across disciplines and countries is driving innovation, opening new opportunities for energy transition projects and subsurface modeling. KEY TAKEAWAYS > Drones are now established tools for geophysical surveys, especially in magnetics and electromagnetics. > Sensor miniaturization and AI navigation are enabling wider, more precise, and cost-effective measurements. > Collaboration between industry, academia, and government is critical to advancing drone-based geophysics. LINKS * UAVs and Drones in Geophysics (1-3 December 2025): Read the summit topics, technical program, explore the virtual showcase information, register to attend, and more at https://seg.org/calendar_events/uavs-and-drones-in-the-geophysics/. GUEST BIO Dr. Johannes Stoll is the founder and CEO of Mobile Geophysical Technologies (MGT). With a background in geophysics and electrochemistry, he has held multiple roles across the Oil & Gas industry as well as in leading research institutions. Bringing more than 30 years of experience as an active exploration geophysicist, Dr. Stoll combines scientific expertise with entrepreneurial vision to drive innovation in mobile geophysical solutions.

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• Adapt or Be Left Behind: Lessons for the Next Generation of Geophysicists

  "Geophysics plays a central role in this energy transition because it provides the tools and insights needed to understand, manage, and optimize subsurface resources. These resources are critical for both traditional and renewable energy systems." Geophysics is essential for geothermal energy, carbon storage, hydrogen storage, and critical minerals. Joël Le Calvez and Erkan Ay explain how methods like multi-physics workflows and distributed acoustic sensing are improving reliability, scalability, and safety. They also highlight the skills and mindset geophysicists need to succeed in a rapidly changing energy landscape. Read the October issue of The Leading Edge that features a special section about geophysics for new energies at https://library.seg.org/toc/leedff/44/10. KEY TAKEAWAYS > Geophysics provides the foundation for safe, efficient, and scalable use of subsurface resources in the energy transition. > Multi-physics workflows and DAS technologies reduce uncertainty and improve monitoring of geothermal and storage projects. > Future geophysicists must combine technical expertise with adaptability, collaboration, and field experience. GUEST BIOS Joël Le Calvez is Principal Geologist at SLB, where he develops software for processing, visualization, and interpretation of microseismic monitoring data. His work supports applications ranging from hydraulic fracture treatment to CO₂ sequestration and geothermal injection, using downhole, shallow wellbore, and surface arrays. Before joining SLB, Joël contributed to research at the Bureau of Economic Geology’s Applied Geodynamics Laboratory and at Etudes et Recherches Géotechniques. He holds a Ph.D. in salt tectonics, an M.Sc. in geosciences, and a B.Sc. in physics. Erkan Ay is an accomplished geophysicist with more than 18 years of international experience across oil and gas, carbon capture and storage, and academic research. He is recognized for advancing techniques in microseismic monitoring, DAS, 4D VSP, and seismic-while-drilling. Erkan’s work integrates seismology and petrophysics to better characterize complex subsurface structures. Currently, Erkan serves as Chair of the SEG Research Committee and Vice Chair of the SEG IMAGE 2026 Technical Committee, guiding collaborative efforts to advance geophysics for sustainable energy solutions.

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• Digital Twins and Generative AI in Subsurface Geophysics

  "Generative modeling is a game-changer. We can now capture high-dimensional statistics that we could never have captured in the past." Felix Herrmann explains how digital twins and generative AI are reshaping subsurface geophysics. He highlights the importance of open-source tools, multimodal data, and uncertainty-aware models for better decision-making in energy and storage projects. By combining physics with AI, his work shows how geophysics can move beyond silos and create more reliable and efficient solutions. KEY TAKEAWAYS > Digital twins informed by multimodal data can reduce uncertainty and improve reservoir management. > Open-source tools and agreed benchmarks are essential for accelerating innovation in geophysics. > Combining physics-based models with generative AI creates robust, practical solutions for complex subsurface challenges. Read Felix's article in The Leading Edge, "President's Page: Digital twins in the era of generative AI," at https://doi.org/10.1190/tle42110730.1. GUEST BIO Felix J. Herrmann earned his Ph.D. in engineering physics from Delft University of Technology in 1997, followed by research appointments at Stanford and MIT. He later joined the University of British Columbia faculty in 2002 and moved to the Georgia Institute of Technology in 2017, where he is the Georgia Research Alliance Scholar Chair in Energy with cross-appointments across multiple schools. Dr. Herrmann leads a cross-disciplinary research program in computational imaging, spanning seismic and medical applications, and is recognized for innovations in machine learning, optimization, and high-performance computing that have reduced costs in seismic data acquisition and imaging. A past SEG Distinguished Lecturer and recipient of the SEG Reginald Fessenden Award, he directs the Seismic Laboratory for Imaging and Modeling and co-founded the Center for Machine Learning for Seismic (ML4Seismic) to advance AI-assisted seismic imaging and reservoir monitoring through industry collaboration.

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