The basic geometry of an onshore three-dimensional (3-D) seismic recording grid is based on five parameters: source-station spacing, receiver-station spacing, source-line spacing. receiver-line spacing, and recording swath size. At each onshore prospect considered for 3-D seismic imaging, these key design parameters can be specified by answering four simple questions: 1. What is the narrowest lateral dimension of the geologic targets that are to be imaged? 2. What is the depth of the shallowest target that must be imaged? 3. What is the depth of the deepest target that must be imaged? 4.