34 DATA proCEssiNg & iNTErprETATioN
Taking a smarter approach to the
interpretation of 3D seismic data
The demand for
computational tools
to underpin the 3D
seismic interpretation
process has never been
more apparent. Jeremy
Cresswell reports.
Die Nachfrage nach
EDV-gestützten
Hilfsmitteln zur
besseren Auswertung
seismischer 3D-Daten
war noch nie so
ausgeprägt. Ein Bericht
von Jeremy Cresswell.
La demanda de
herramientas de
computación para
soportar el proceso de
interpretación de
datos sísmicos
tridimensionales nunca
ha sido tan patente
T
here is a huge and growing mountain Fig. 1.The demand for computational tools to
como ahora. Jeremy
of seismic data – new and archived underpin 3D seismic data interpretation
Cresswell informa.
material requiring reprocessing – out throughtout the exploration and production
there. To interpret it means that the process has never been more apparent.
demand for computational tools to underpin the
3D seismic interpretation process throughout June ahead of the 2009 European Association
the E&P (exploration and production) workflow of Geoscientists and Engineers gathering: “We
has never been more apparent, according to UK are excited to be working with Bull, who bring
company Foster Findlay Associates (FFA), which a strong innovative approach to their systems
has just teamed up with Dutch IT outfit Bull to design, which incorporates computational
deliver a smarter approach. power and scalability with advanced interactive
FFA says that, through use of its high visualisation features. Our development
performance computational software, a data programme is directly addressing the challenges
driven approach to 3D seismic interpretation of extracting meaningful information from
can provide the step change in productivity seismic data at increasing volumes and levels of
required for geoscientists to 'fully exploit their complexity. These challenges can be significantly
data and deliver more accurate interpretations advanced by using automated HPC techniques in
of the subsurface, improved understanding of real or near real time."
uncertainty and better quantification of risk'. Basically, the two companies will work
Indeed, according to FFA’s MD, Jonathan together to promote the use within the
Henderson, the partnership with Bull is E&P industry of interactive methods for 3D
an important component in the UK firm’s seismic analysis using HPC (high-productivity
development strategy which has always been combinatorial) technology, in particular the use of
about delivering innovative and sophisticated GPU (graphics processing unit) accelerators.
tools designed to unlock the innermost secrets of Under the arrangement forged between the
seismic data. companies, these are fitted into Bull server nodes,
Henderson said in a statement issued early from entry-level tower chassis systems with GPU
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