Oil Patch Bits: Daniel Trad receives CSEG Technical Achievement Award

CGGVeritas said May 24 that Daniel Trad, research advisor at the CGGVeritas Calgary processing and imaging center, has been distinguished with the inaugural 2011 CSEG Technical Achievement Award Citation for his work on 5-D interpolation. This citation is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding technical contribution in the field of Canadian Geophysics as manifested over the past five years.

Trad’s work spearheaded a new model for seismic data processing, and a standard that is being adopted by companies worldwide. He developed the first multi-dimensional commercial algorithm for the regularization of data that depends on four spatial coordinates. This is commonly referred to as 5-D interpolation, four spatial coordinates plus time or frequency.

His vision for this technology was rooted in recognizing the value of collaborating with an academic team, a clear identification of industrial needs and embarking into the development of a functional and robust solution to the 5-D interpolation problem. Trad also paid particular attention to the needs of seismic interpreters — the final users of 5-D interpolation.

“Dan has consistently shown that his total commitment to seismic innovation, whether within CGGVeritas, his local territory of Canada or the wider worldwide R&D community, leads to geophysical advances of value right across our industry,” said Colin Murdoch, vice president, Processing, Imaging & Reservoir CGGVeritas.