“Reservoir characterization has evolved beyond oil and gas. It’s now central to our clean energy future.”

In this episode, Andrew Geary speaks with Satinder Chopra and Heather Bedle, guest editors for December’s The Leading Edge special section on reservoir characterization. They explore how this critical topic is transforming as geophysics expands its role in the global energy transition. From carbon storage to geothermal and hydrogen solutions, this episode highlights why reservoir characterization is at the heart of our clean energy future.

Key Takeaways

• The Expanding Role of Reservoir Characterization: Learn how techniques traditionally used in oil and gas are now essential for carbon storage, geothermal projects, and hydrogen exploration.
• Cutting-Edge Techniques in Action: Discover how advanced methods like full waveform inversion (FWI) and machine learning enhance our ability to map and monitor subsurface formations.
• The Importance of Collaboration: Hear why integrating geophysics with geology, engineering, and other disciplines is crucial for solving modern subsurface challenges.

Next Step

Explore the special section on reservoir characterization in December’s The Leading Edge. Dive into the nine papers for actionable insights and real-world applications to guide your projects and decisions.

Reasons to Text a Friend About This Episode

Satinder and Heather share how AI and FWI are reshaping how we image the subsurface – inspiring information! https://seg.org/podcasts/episode-248-ai-fwi-and-the-future-of-subsurface-imaging/

Guest Bios

Satinder Chopra is the founder and President of SamiGeo Consulting Ltd., located in Calgary. With 40 years of experience as a geophysicist, he specializes in processing, special processing, and the interactive interpretation of seismic data for reservoir characterization. His research interests focus on techniques for reservoir characterization.

Chopra earned M.Sc. and M.Phil. degrees in physics from H.P. University in Shimla, India. Chopra has held prestigious roles as the CSEG Distinguished Lecturer for 2010–2011, the AAPG/SEG Fall Distinguished Lecturer for 2011–2012, and the EAGE e-Distinguished Lecturer for 2014–2015. He has published nine books (authored two, coauthored five, three with Kurt Marfurt, and coedited two) and more than 525 papers and abstracts. His recent accolades include the 2024 AAPG Honorary Membership Award, the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Petroleum History Society, the 2021 Roy O. Lindseth CSEG Medal Award, the 2019 AAPG Distinguished Service Award, and the 2017 EAGE Honorary Membership Award.

Dr. Heather Bedle is the Principal Investigator for Attribute Assisted Seismic Processing and Interpretation (AASPI) and is an Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma in the School of Geosciences. Her research and teaching focus on applying and developing advanced seismic interpretation. Some research stems from her time as a petroleum geophysicist using rock physics models coupled with seismic reflection data interpretation, and some from her experience as a whole-earth seismologist. All of the projects are based on her interest in understanding what lurks out of sight beneath our feet.

Seismic reflection data is currently the main investigative data being utilized. Current projects in her research group combine seismic interpretation with developments in machine learning, seismic attributes, and rock physics. These methods complement each other to extract additional information from the seismic waveforms. 

Dr. Bedle also researches how scientists learn to interpret seismic data and how to improve the learning process at both the academic and professional levels. New projects are being developed to improve education in active learning spaces and test the capability of virtual reality to improve seismic interpretation education and research.

Dr. Bedle is also involved in several programs with the Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG). She was recognized as the outstanding volunteer of the year (2018) for her work with the SEG Wiki project and is the faculty mentor for OU’s first SEG EVOLVE team and the OU SEG Student Chapter.

Learn More

• Read the Special Section – Reservior characterization
• Heather Bedle, Satinder Chopra, and Tom Davis, (2024), “Introduction to this special section: Reservoir characterization,” The Leading Edge 43: 798–799.
• Subscribers can read the full articles in the SEG Library; abstracts are always free.

The IMAGE 2025 Call for Abstracts is open!

Technical Program Chairs Yingcai Zheng and Molly Turko invite you to submit your best work. This year, we’re fostering deeper collaboration between SEG, AAPG, and SEPM. Focus on regional challenges and how integrated geoscience can unlock solutions.

Submit short or expanded abstracts for oral and poster presentations. The Call for Abstracts closes on 15 March at 5:00 PM CT.

Don’t miss this opportunity to share your research and connect with the broader geoscience community.

Download this Episode

Please visit this page to download this episode as an .MP3 file.

Show Credits

Andrew Geary at TreasureMint hosted, edited, and produced this episode. The SEG podcast team comprises Jennifer Cobb, Kathy Gamble, and Ally McGinnis. 

If you have episode ideas or feedback for the show or want to sponsor a future episode, email the show at [email protected].