Two recent donations helped the Brigham Young University Department of Geology create one of the best 3D seismic visualization teaching labs in the country, allowing geology students to learn how to accurately assess where to drill for oil and gas.
Marc Eccles from Wind River Resources donated $800,000 in data survey sets and Bill Keach from the oil and gas software development company Landmark donated $4.5 million in software.
The lab is the only 3D seismic visualization lab on BYU campus and one of the few found at a university in the United States. The project to create the lab was spearheaded by Keach and associate professor John McBride.
"The 3D seismic visualization lab considerably lowers the risk of unnecessary drilling. Risk reduction is the driving force for this technology," said Tom Morris, a BYU geology professor.
Oil companies throughout the world use 3D seismic visualization labs to help pinpoint where to drill for oil, thereby limiting unnecessary drilling.
The new 3D seismic visualization lab will help professors give students more hands-on experience and better prepare the students for real-life situations.
"This lab will bring in real-world experience for the students. We are really excited," Keach said.
For more information, contact John McBride at (801) 422-5219.
Writer: Rebecca Hanson
