ODESSA, Texas —
If you live in Odessa, you might have seen weird looking pieces of equipment showing up on your lawn out of nowhere. Well, there’s no need to panic or worry.
They’re not random tools that someone discarded near your home, or anything nefarious, they’re seismic sensors put there by the Dawson Geophysical Company. But just what are they supposed to be doing on your lawn of all places?
“Well, they're commonly referred to as geophones. They're seismic sensors that record the sound waves in the ground," said Ray Mays, chief operating officer for the Dawson Geophysical Company. "So, it's primarily for oil and gas exploration. So, it's basically subsurface mapping.”
Dawson says they work like how sonograms make an image of an unborn child, using wave recording technology.
“It's very important to understand the geological structure and the subsurface for obvious reasons as far as oil or gas drilling and production," said Mays.
Mays said there’s no danger for any sort of electrical shock or damage to your yard.
However, you shouldn’t move them on your own. The geophones are very sensitive and even the slightest touch or move could affect the readings.
“They are very sensitive instrument, and they detect, you know, even footprints or footsteps when people walk around," Mays said. "It would be best if they were left where they are and then if someone has an issue with any of them just to call the number that's on the flyers.”
Mays said Dawson plans to keep working with the geophones until the end of May.
He also said if you have any questions or would like to have the geophones removed from your property for whatever reason, call Dawson at 432-556-9295.