Echoes from the Field is a video series hosted by STRYDE’s CEO, Mike Popham, bringing you unscripted, real-world insights from the forefront of land seismic data acquisition.
In each episode, Mike sits down with leading geoscientists, field engineers, and exploration specialists - from STRYDE customers operating our nodal systems on the ground, to their end-users who rely on the seismic data to make critical subsurface decisions.
Through candid conversations, Mike uncovers the good, the bad, and the ugly of what real onshore seismic imaging projects entail. Our guests share first-hand experiences, discuss the operational challenges they face, and highlight the innovations changing the way seismic data is acquired and used.
From breakthroughs in technology and acquisition techniques, to honest reflections on productivity, safety, data quality, and project outcomes, this series offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the realities of modern land seismic operations.
Episode 13: What land seismic crews need to succeed - insights from Brian Coil
In this episode, Mike sits down with Brian Coil, one of STRYDE’s field support experts supporting customers across Asia and the Americas, to explore what it takes to set seismic crews up for success. Drawing on his hands-on experience in the field, we discuss:
How he helps customers prepare for and deliver their seismic surveys
The common challenges he sees crews face in the field
His immersive experiences with our customers, including spending Christmas Day in the jungle, with the Elnusa team on a live seismic survey
What he believes needs to change to help crews overcome some of the biggest challenges in land seismic acquisition
His involvement in field testing Halo before its launch in June 2026
21 Aug 2026
Episode 12: Smarter 3D land seismic: survey design, faster imaging and more value from your data | Sandeep Kumar Chandola
In this episode, we sit down with Sandeep Kumar Chandola, who has led geophysics teams at PETRONAS for several years, to explore how smarter survey design, faster turnaround and scalable acquisition can increase the value of seismic data. We discuss:
Why timely data can be more valuable than perfect data delivered too late
How modern survey design can support both exploration and development for years to come
The gap between new seismic data and geological or reservoir models
The QC information that matters most during acquisition
Sandeep’s vision for a seamless, scalable land seismic system
How seismic can support both hydrocarbon exploration and CO₂ storage
Why higher-density nodal acquisition does not have to mean proportionally higher cost
21 Aug 2026
Episode 11: Smarter seismic exploration: how to reduce subsurface risk before you acquire data
In this episode, we sit down with Max Brouwers, former Shell exploration leader and now Chief Business Development Officer at Getech, to explore how operators can better understand subsurface risk, high-grade opportunities, and focus investment where it can create the greatest value. We discuss:
Why operators should “measure twice, cut once” before committing to new data acquisition
The most important questions to answer before designing and acquiring a seismic survey
How smarter screening can replace broad, sparse acquisition with more targeted, higher-quality seismic
What the most successful companies in emerging energy sectors value when making subsurface investment decisions
The importance of maintaining an exploration mindset — and why “absence of evidence is not evidence of absence”
Lessons from Max’s time at Shell on aligning technical teams, executives, governments and partners around subsurface risk and opportunity
12 Aug 2026
Episode 10: Modern environmental seismology: Technology, AI and emerging techniques
Seismology is entering a new era, driven by dense nodal arrays, larger datasets, and advances in AI.
In this episode, we sit down with Professor James Hammond, a leading environmental seismologist to explore how these developments are expanding what’s possible in Earth science and discuss:
How seismology differs from conventional reflection seismic
The wider applications of seismic data beyond earthquakes and volcanoes
How Large-N arrays and STRYDE technology are enabling more ambitious research
The potential of AI and dense seismic networks for hazard monitoring and early warning
How shared facilities such as LENS UK can improve access to modern seismic instrumentation
How James thinks we can inspire the next generation of Earth scientists
20 Jul 2026
Episode 9: What’s changing in modern land seismic surveys? Allan Châtenay shares
Allan Châtenay - Explor
With unmatched hands-on experience deploying STRYDE technology across some of the most challenging environments on Earth, Explor have pushed the limits of what’s possible in land seismic acquisition.
In this episode of our Echoes from the Field series, STRYDE CEO Mike Popham sits down with Explor President, Allan Châtenay to go behind the shot and explore:
What it meant to become the first commercial user of STRYDE in the Western Hemisphere - and why it marked a career-defining “this changes everything” moment
Exclusive project insights never shared before, including a high-density 2D Vibroseis survey in the US delivered with just three people
How using new technology in new ways is unlocking even greater operational efficiencies across seismic acquisition projects
The survey designs helping teams see things they have never seen before, revealing new levels of subsurface detail and understanding
20 Jul 2026
Episode 8: From nuclear infrastructure to urban geothermal: Mark Rees on the new era of UK land seismic
Mark Rees - Echo Geo Ltd
High-resolution site investigation and urban geothermal surveys are increasingly important across the UK market, but must be delivered quickly, discreetly and cost-effectively, while capturing the data density needed for high-quality imaging.
In this episode, Mark Rees, Operations Director at Echo Geo Ltd, unpacks:
How lean, high-resolution site investigation surveys help civil engineers and investors better understand subsurface risk
The realities of urban geothermal surveys in UK cities and towns
Insights from the UK’s largest 3D seismic survey for geothermal exploration in York, where high-density data identified a target not predicted by legacy 2D seismic
How compact, deployment-ready seismic systems really help small teams mobilise quickly, reduce vehicles, shorten survey duration and acquire high-quality data at lower cost
Why Mark chose STRYDE as his ready-to-deploy seismic system
20 Jul 2026
Episode 7: Onshore seismic in Türkiye: achieving high-resolution imaging in complex environments
Halim Sedat Başar - HSB Energi
Türkiye’s complex tectonics, faulted geology, challenging terrain, and variable near-surface conditions can make high-resolution seismic imaging difficult to achieve.
In this episode, Halim Sedat Başar from HSB Enerji discusses what it takes to acquire reliable onshore seismic data in Türkiye and unpacks:
How Türkiye’s complex geology influences seismic survey design and subsurface imaging
The most challenging geological settings to image, and the impact of noise, statics, and near-surface conditions
How receiver density, offsets, and azimuth coverage can be optimised to improve imaging quality
The limitations of conventional seismic acquisition, and how modern nodal systems can help overcome them
The value of high-density seismic data in improving interpretation confidence
Future opportunities for seismic across Türkiye’s oil and gas, mining, and geothermal sectors
20 Jul 2026
Episode 6: High-density seismic in complex onshore environments: insights and advice from Claudio Strobbia
Claudio Strobbia - realtimeseismic
Drawing on decades of field experience, Claudio Strobbia, CEO of realtimeseismic, challenges common misconceptions in seismic acquisition and shares what success truly looks like from a geophysicist’s perspective.
In this episode of our Echoes from the Field series, we explore:
Why high-density 3D surveys have become the industry standard, and when they matter most
How to balance productivity with high-resolution data while avoiding common design pitfalls, even in urban environments
How modelling and illumination analysis help de-risk survey design and improve outcomes
The impact of modern source and nodal technologies on data quality, uptime, and efficiency
How you can future-proof seismic data for emerging technologies and evolving workflows
What’s next for seismic, including the role of automation, AI, and the changing geophysicist role
20 Jul 2026
Episode 5: A geothermal turning point: Alex Richter talks policy, data & the path to scale
Alex Richter - ThinkGeoEnergy
Geothermal energy is gaining renewed global attention as countries accelerate the transition to low-carbon, secure, and scalable energy solutions. Yet significant challenges remain around policy, financing, data availability, and public awareness.
In this episode of our Echoes from the Field series, we sit down with Alexander Richter, founder of ThinkGeoEnergy, to explore:
The evolution of geothermal hotspots and how the global market has matured
The realities and challenges of developing geothermal projects
The main barriers to scaling geothermal as a mainstream energy source
Success stories that demonstrate geothermal’s long-term potential
The critical role of high-quality seismic data in reducing risk and improving project viability
Why policy support, financing structures, and accessible subsurface data are essential to accelerate development
20 Jul 2026
Episode 4: Modern land seismic in Europe with Jacek Słowiński, CEO, Geopartner
Jacek Słowiński - Geopartner Geofizyka
Land seismic acquisition in Europe has evolved rapidly in recent years, driven by tighter budgets, new energy priorities, and growing expectations around data quality and efficiency.
In this episode of our Echoes from the Field series, we sit down Jacek Słowiński to explore:
How land seismic in Europe is adapting to new market and energy transition demands
The key trends shaping oil & gas, geothermal, civil, and mineral projects
What end users now expect in terms of resolution, speed, and cost efficiency
How Geopartner is staying competitive with innovative acquisition strategies
How using STRYDE enables higher-density data, faster deployment, and more affordable surveys
And how this is unlocking new growth opportunities for Geopartner
20 Jul 2026
Episode 3: When an operator spots a breakthrough: Chris Einchcomb on STRYDE
Chris Einchcomb - Ex bp and Rosneft
High-resolution land seismic acquisition was previously constrained by cost, crew size, and practical limits on density. Real-time QC was often seen as a “necessity”, and high-density surveys were considered unrealistic for many.
In this episode of our Echoes from the Field series, Mike Popham sits down with former Exploration Manager and land seismic contractor Chris Einchcomb to unpack:
The real-world operational challenges that led Chris to get involved in STRYDE’s development when he was at Rosneft
Why real-time QC is no longer required for modern land seismic acquisition
Lessons learned from the field
How these advances are enabling true quantitative geophysics and opening new opportunities for the next generation of geophysicists and explorers to visualise the subsurface more accurately, efficiently, and confidently
20 Jul 2026
Episode 2: Fairfield Geotechnologies - Value of HD Seismic in the Permian
Andrew Lewis & Bruce Karr - Fairfield Geotechnologies
For years, operators in the Delaware Basin faced the same frustrating reality: complex near-surface geology made deep reservoir imaging unreliable. Many eventually gave up, concluding “Seismic can’t help us here.”
In this episode of our Echoes from the Field series, STRYDE CEO Mike Popham sits down with Fairfield’s geoscience experts, Bruce and Andrew, to go behind the shot and unpack:
What Fairfield is doing in the Permian and the imaging challenges they’ve encountered
Insights from the ultra-high-density seismic survey they acquired - and how improved near-surface sampling transformed their ability to illuminate the reservoir
A comparison of the three receiver technologies used during the survey and how each influenced data quality
Key lessons learned and how these insights are shaping their plans for future exploration
20 Jul 2026
Episode 1: A CEO-to-CEO Conversation on Seismic Success with Polaris
In this episode of our Echoes from the Field series, STRYDE CEO, Mike Popham sits down with Bill Mooney CEO of Polaris, to explore their journey, best practices, and the role of seismic innovation in driving success.
Bill Mooney - Polaris Seismic
With an unwavering commitment to customer success, CEO Bill Mooney and the team at Polaris Seismic have contributed to numerous world-class discoveries across Africa and beyond.
In this episode of our Echoes from the Field series, STRYDE CEO Mike Popham sits down with Bill to go behind the shot and explore:
The origin story of Polaris Seismic and their vision for the future
The day-to-day challenges faced by crews operating in some of the world’s toughest environments
How Polaris invests in local communities, creating sustainable benefits and a lasting positive legacy
Best practices and lessons learned from delivering seismic campaigns across Africa and Pakistan
How STRYDE technology has transformed survey efficiency and elevated data quality across their projects
Contact Echoes from the Field
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Echoes from the Field?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
