Did industry and commerce affect the concepts, values and epistemic foundations of different sciences? If so, how and to what extent? This book suggests that the most significant influence of industry on science in the two case studies treated here had to do with the issue of realism. Using wave propagation as the common thread, this is the first book to simultaneously analyse the emergence of realist attitudes towards the entities of the ionosphere and of the earth's crust. However, what led physicists and engineers to adopt realist attitudes? This book suggests that a new kind of realism —a realism of social and cultural origins- is the answer: a preliminary, entity realism responding to specific commercial and engineering interests, and a realism that was neither strictly instrumental nor exclusively operational. The book has two parts: while Part I focuses on the study of the ionosphere and how the British radio industry affected ionospheric physics, Part II focuses on the study of the Earth's crust and how the American oil industry affected crustal seismology.

This personalized narrative is both a technical and economic history showing how exploration geophysics evolved from simple scientific beginnings into a sophisticated science impacting civilization in diverse ways. It presents geophysics as an intriguing scientific and technical field full of sharp contrasts, revealing it as an unusual blend of the theoretical and the practical, the laboratory and the field, the nonprofit effort and the profit-making venture, a cornerstone of peace and an implement of war. Written by members of the profession well acquainted with many of the key actions and players, this book describes intriguing developments and applications that took place within three interrelated fields of earth physics-exploration geophysics, seismology, and oceanography-during the never-ending search for oil and natural gas. Stressing challenge and change, this chronicle is bracketed by two major flex points in Western civilization-the initial waging of deadly global war (1914-18) and the conclusion in the 1990s of the Cold War that threatened civilization with nuclear annihilation. It is a complex story of people and events that highlights the emergence of major industries on the international scene. The book is must reading for all practicing earth scientists and their families, investors in the industry, and people interested in economic geology, public and world affairs, military warfare, the history of science and technology, environmental sciences, and even outdoor adventure.

A review of geophysical technologies, how they should be deployed and integrated for improved petroleum exploration and production.

Authored by one of the world's hydrocarbon exploration experts, Geophysical Exploration Technology: Applications in Lithological and Stratigraphic Reservoirs presents the latest technological advancements and cutting edge techniques in reservoir theory, research and exploration. Stratigraphic and lithological reservoirs play a critical role in increasing the production from oil reserves and new hydrocarbon sources. Recent resource evaluations indicate that onshore stratigraphic and subtle reservoirs account for as much as 40% of the total remaining hydrocarbon sources globally. As a result, these reservoirs will be the most practical, potential and prevalent fields for long-lasting onshore exploration. Intended as an aid in developing an understanding of the techniques of reservoir exploration, this book presents the latest and most practical methods and technology in oil and gas exploration. It can be used as a training book for lithological stratigraphic exploration and a reference for scientific and technological personnel in the oil and gas industry. - Authored by one of the world's foremost experts in stratigraphic and lithological reservoir exploration who has more than 30 years of experience in research and instruction - Features more than 200 figures, illustrations, and working examples to aid the reader in retaining key concepts - Presents the latest technological developments in reservoir exploration techniques - Integrates theory and application, arming readers with a rigorous yet practical approach to hydrocarbon exploration in stratigraphic and lithological reservoirs