Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for conducting seismic prospecting is provided wherein more accurate estimates of the source wavelet can be achieved. Receivers (202) detect pulses at vertically offset locations. The pulses are converted to digital signals in a signal processor (212) and stored on a recorder (210). A processor (108) operates on the stored signals to produce an output wavelet A'(107 ,.theta.) in accord with the equation .intg.(P.G.sub.n -G.P.sub.n)dx.sub.g.

Abstract: Responses of subsurface formations adjacent a well borehole are obtained from a number of types of well logs. The well logs typically include a resistivity log, a gamma ray log, a density log, a neutron log and an induction or electromagnetic wave log. Parameters of interest are determined in evaluating whether the subsurface formations are of interest for petroleum contents by a non-linear programming technique based on the log responses obtained. The parameters of interest are maintained self-consistent, i.e. their contribution to log measurements is based on the same value for the parameter in its effect on each log in which they produce a response.