Under the guidance and encouragement of Shri K. Karvannan, GGM & Basin Manager, A&AA Basin, the Jorhat Chapter of the Society of Petroleum Geophysicists (SPG) India successfully organized a Geophysical Field Trip to the Seismic Operational Area (GP-08), GPS, A&AA Basin, ONGC on 07 March 2026. The field visit was made possible through the constant support, motivation, and visionary leadership of the Basin Manager, who has consistently emphasized the importance of experiential learning and interdisciplinary understanding of upstream operations.

The field trip was formally flagged off from Luit Bhawan, Jorhat, by Shri K. Karvannan, GGM & Basin Manager, A&AA Basin. In his address to the participants, he shared valuable words of wisdom and highlighted the importance of maintaining the highest standards of safety during field visits, while encouraging participants to fully utilize the opportunity to understand the complexities and operational intricacies of seismic data acquisition. He motivated the participants to observe field activities closely and interact with the operational team to gain maximum learning from the visit.

Also present during the flag-off was Shri Pankaj Bikash Sharmah, Vice President-SPG India (Jorhat Chapter), who appreciated the initiative and encouraged participants to actively engage with the field experts during the visit.

Shri K. Karvannan, GGM & Basin Manager, A&AA Basin, flagging off the SPG Geophysical Field Trip from Luit Bhawan, Jorhat.

Upon reaching the field camp, the session commenced with a welcome address and introduction by Shri Hari P. Nair, Head – Geophysical Services, Jorhat, who briefed the participants on the objectives of the visit and emphasized the importance of field exposure in understanding geophysical operations.

Participants then had an interactive session with the Party In-Charge, Shri Pritam Bera, followed by a detailed technical presentation delivered by Shri Subhaseesh Sahu and Shri Bhawani Meena. Their presentation comprehensively covered the various aspects of the ongoing seismic survey, including survey planning, field geometry, shot line and receiver line design, shot hole and charge (source) optimization.

The presenters also highlighted several practical challenges encountered during field operations, such as working in reserve forest areas, crossing canals, and coordinating activities in village regions. The session witnessed active participation, with attendees engaging in meaningful discussions and queries related to seismic acquisition practices.

Before proceeding to the field location, the field party meticulously demonstrated the workflow and operational planning with a dummy field setup at the field camp, enabling participants to understand the systematic sequence of activities involved in seismic data acquisition.

Demonstration of seismic acquisition workflow and operational planning by the officers of field party GP-08 at the seismic camp

Participants then visited the field to witness the actual seismic acquisition process, which proved to be a memorable and captivating experience. They got firsthand experience of how seismic shots are executed, the sequencing of shot lines and receiver lines, deployment of geophones, configuration of recording systems, and real time seismic data acquisition in field recording units. Participants also interacted with the field staff and observed the functioning of active seismic lines.

Participants observed the seismic shot operation from a designated safe distance and experienced the seismic vibrations generated during the controlled detonation.

Seismic recording instruments and real-time data acquisition in the field.

All field activities were conducted in strict compliance with ONGC HSE guidelines, with participants being briefed on safety protocols prior to the field visit.

The field trip witnessed enthusiastic participation from professionals representing diverse disciplines including Geology, Geophysics, Reservoir Engineering, Petrophysics, Chemistry, Electronics, and Finance. For many of them, it was their first exposure to seismic field operations, making the experience particularly impactful.

Participants expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity and acknowledged the dedication, perseverance, and challenges faced by field personnel working in demanding operational environments. Several participants described the experience as both exciting and inspiring, noting that witnessing seismic operations provided a new perspective on the scale and complexity of exploration activities.

Group Photograph at GP-08 Geophysical Party Camp at Moranhat, Assam

Many participants also conveyed their gratitude to the Basin Manager, Shri K. Karvannan, for his encouragement and support in facilitating such an enriching learning opportunity. They requested that similar field exposure visits be organized for other operational domains such as drilling, well logging, and reservoir management, which would further enhance interdisciplinary understanding of upstream operations.

The program concluded with concluding remarks by Shri K. Karvannan, GGM & Basin Manager, A&AA Basin, who reiterated the importance of safety, teamwork, and continuous learning in field operations. The session ended with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri Ashish Chauhan, Secretary – SPG India (Jorhat Chapter).

The field trip provided valuable exposure to real-time seismic data acquisition operations and enhanced participants’ understanding of field geophysical practices. The event stands as a testament to the visionary leadership and encouragement of the Basin Manager, whose support made this valuable learning experience possible.