"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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"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.
“The geophysicists can’t do without the geologists and vice versa. It is critically important to do it on a team basis.”
Tako Koning, winner of the Best Oral Paper Award at IMAGE '24, shares clear lessons from a career working on basement reservoir exploration. He explains why seismic and geophysical data, integrated with geology, lead to better decisions, and how teamwork and open data help both companies and host countries. He also offers practical career advice and points to new opportunities in mature basins and areas such as geothermal, carbon capture, helium, hydrogen, and lithium.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
> Data and integration: Seismic and geophysical data, combined with geological analysis, are essential for finding and developing basement reservoirs.
> Learned lessons: Tako shares stories from his career that show the need for careful testing, correct depth, and patient development to avoid commercial failure.
> People and future: Teamwork and data sharing improve results for everyone, and broad early career experience transfers well to new areas like geothermal, carbon capture, helium, hydrogen, and lithium.
GUEST BIO
Tako Koning is Holland-born and Alberta-raised with a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Alberta and a B.A. in Economics from the University of Calgary. After initially working as a mud logger with Continental Labs, he worked for Texaco Canada Ltd. and soon became a team leader looking after northern Alberta. Tako subsequently became the project geologist for the Blue H-28 deep water drilling project, which was drilled in the Orphan Basin, Newfoundland, in 1979. The exploration well established a deepwater and drilling depth record at the time, and remains as one of the greatest technical successes in the Canadian Frontier.
In the last three decades, Tako has been highly involved with professional societies, by way of presenting and publishing papers and volunteering. He is a member of CSPG, CSEG, APEGGA, AAPG, SPE, SEG, Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain, Geological Society of London, Houston Geological Society, and an honorary life member of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists.
LINKS
* See the complete Best of IMAGE '24 winners - https://www.imageevent.org/best-of-image-2024
* Attend IMAGE '25 - https://www.imageevent.org/
* Learn more about the new podcast series, Inside IMAGE, presented by Seismic Soundoff - https://www.imageevent.org/podcast
Seismic Soundoff
"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.
