1.   Brann also said Western Atlas, through its Western Geophysical subsidiary, will use new technology and strategies in three-dimensional seismic surveys that it expects will increase profitability.

2.   By using more advanced three-dimensional seismic surveys, new deposits have been found.

3.   Cheaper supercomputers made by the likes of Sun Microsystems can crunch more data gathered by seismic surveys that ever before.

4.   Seismic surveys use sound waves to chart geological formations.

5.   Such finds, called sub salt deposits, had been impenetrable to seismic surveys until ways were found to harness computers to decipher the soundings.

6.   Streamer cables are towed behind a ship during seismic surveys and are used to record sound waves as they bounce off the ocean floor.

7.   That will make it cheaper to look for oil, stimulating demand for seismic surveys and equipment, Wicklund said.

8.   It charges that seismic surveys by oil giant Exxon have forced western Pacific gray whales to feed in areas where there is less or lower-quality food.

9.   New seismic survey work in other North Slope areas has been put on hold.

10.   The agreement calls for three-dimensional seismic surveys and the drilling of two wells over a three-year period.