3D Seismic Technologies: Transforming Natural Gas Exploration and Development in Italy

Essay By Bill Dirks | Executive Director | AleAnna

Italy stands at a critical juncture in its energy future, balancing the need for sustainability, energy security, and economic growth. As the country navigates its transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, the adoption of advanced 3D seismic technologies has become a game-changer in natural gas exploration. These technologies provide unparalleled precision in identifying and developing natural gas reserves, significantly enhancing Italy’s ability to achieve energy security while reducing environmental impact. 

Enhancing Exploration and Development Success and Efficiency

The earth-imaging technique known as Three Dimensional (“3D”) seismic enables geologists and geophysicists to create high-resolution, three-dimensional models of subsurface structures and reservoirs, similar to the images created by an MRI in modern medicine. This allows for more accurate identification of natural gas reservoirs, reducing the risks associated with drilling and minimizing the number of wells that need to be drilled. Italy’s adoption of 3D seismic surveys has already led to significant new discoveries and supported new field developments, including the Longanesi Field, the largest natural gas discovery in onshore Italy in more than 20 years. 

Building on this, many of Italy’s natural gas reservoirs have physical properties that support recognition of Direct Hydrocarbon Indicators (“DHI’s”), which when properly analyzed have proven to support exploration success rates in the 75-95% range.  AleAnna, whose geoscientists and Executives spent many years perfecting and utilizing DHI analysis at industry leaders such as Royal Dutch Shell and ExxonMobil, is at the forefront of leveraging these technologies / techniques to grow Italy’s domestic natural gas reserves.  By using sophisticated statistical analytical techniques such as Amplitude Variability with Offset (“AVO”) and Seismic Inversion, AleAnna can also generate physical rock properties interpretations, allowing the company to differentiate potential high-quality reservoirs from non-reservoir quality rock and further reducing the number of wells needed in a development project.

Supporting Italy’s Energy Goals and Transition to Sustainable Energy

Natural gas currently accounts for 38% of Italy’s energy mix, and responsible exploration supported by advanced seismic tools plays a critical role in maintaining this supply while transitioning to renewables. The use of 3D seismic technologies aligns perfectly with Italy’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and enhancing energy security. These technologies reduce the environmental impact of exploration by limiting unnecessary drilling and enhancing resource efficiency. 

The use of 3D seismic and sophisticated interpretation techniques not only boost Italy’s domestic production but also reduce its reliance on imported energy, which currently constitutes 73% of its total energy needs, strengthening economic and geopolitical resilience. Natural gas developed with 3D seismic also complements emerging energy storage technologies, such as batteries and pumped hydro storage, and fills a gap by providing a stable energy source during prolonged periods of low renewable output or high demand. The role of natural gas in balancing Italy’s renewable energy grid also has economic implications. By ensuring grid reliability, natural gas helps prevent costly blackouts and reduces the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades. In 2021 alone, the flexibility provided by natural gas saved Italy an estimated €1.5 billion in potential grid stabilization costs.

Conclusion

Looking forward, Italy must balance the continued use of natural gas with its long-term commitment to decarbonization. Investments in renewable energy, energy storage, and green hydrogen will be crucial in gradually reducing dependence on natural gas while maintaining grid stability. The Italian government has allocated €25 billion from the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility to fund these initiatives, emphasizing the transition to cleaner energy alternatives.

3D seismic technologies are transforming natural gas exploration and development in Italy, offering unprecedented precision and efficiency. By embracing these technologies, Italy can support its energy transition, and lead by example in sustainable resource development. Continued advancements in seismic technologies, coupled with robust regulatory frameworks, can ensure that natural gas exploration aligns with Italy’s sustainability objectives. As the nation strides toward a greener future, advanced seismic technologies will remain a cornerstone of its strategy, ensuring a balance between economic growth, energy security, and environmental stewardship.