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1 3DLab, School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Cardiff University, , Main Building Park Place, Cardiff CF10 3YE, UK (e-mail: richard.davies{at}earth.cf.ac.uk)
2 BP Azerbaijan, , c/o Chertsey Road, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex TW16 7LN, UK
3 ExxonMobil Exploration Company, , 233 Benmar, Houston, Texas 77060, USA
4 BP, E & P Technology Group, , Chertsey Road, Sunbury on Thames, Middlesex TW16 7LN, UK
5 Shell EP Technology Solutions, Shell International Exploration & Production Inc., , 200 N Dairy Ashford, Houston, Texas 77079, USA
6 Consulting Reservoir Geophysicist, , 1911 Country Brook Lane, Allen, Texas 75002, USA
Three-dimensional (3D) seismic data have had a substantial impact on the successful exploration and production of hydrocarbons. Although most commonly acquired by the oil and gas exploration industry, these data are starting to be used as a research tool in other Earth sciences disciplines. However despite some innovative new directions of academic investigation, most of the examples of how 3D seismic data have increased our understanding of the structure and stratigraphy of sedimentary basins come from the industry that acquired these data. The 3D seismic tool is also making significant inroads into other areas of Earth sciences, such as igneous and structural geology. However, there are pitfalls that parallel these advances: geoscientists need to be multidisciplined and true integrators, and at the same time have an ever-increasing knowledge of geophysical acquisition and processing. Notably the utility of the 3D seismic tool seems to have been overlooked by most of the academic community, and we would submit that academia has yet to take full advantage of this technology as a research tool. We propose that the remaining scientific potential far exceeds the advances made thus far and major opportunities, as well as challenges, lie ahead.
