4d fixEd inStAllAtiOn SEiSMic 27
Wave equation migration imaging
gives clearer sub-salt definition
ave equation migration (WEM) commented: “Both Kirchhoff and WEM
is a technique that takes into processing hold value to the petroleum
A novel seismic
imaging technique
account the multiple arrivals geoscientist, because they help reveal different
which can penetrate
Wof seismic waves in the sub- geological features. However, the workflow
difficult geologies
surface. As such, it overcomes the limitations of is quite different because the input for WEM
such as salt formations
standard Kirchhoff pre-stack depth migration consists of shot gathers. Using both techniques
could raise the Gulf of (PSDM) which only takes into account the first Spectrum has been able to learn important
Mexico to a whole new arrival of seismic waves. information on the sub-salt structure from this
level of exploration
Compared with normal Kirchhoff migrations, Eastern Gulf of Mexico data.”
importance. Sean
the WEM method increases the focusing of Impressed with the results from this survey,
Ottewell reports.
seismic images in areas with complex velocity the Houston team also tested the WEM technique
models and excels in imaging below geology that on Spectrum’s ‘Big Wave’ phase one multi client
Ein neuartiges
is traditionally difficult to penetrate with seismic project.
bildgebendes
signals, such as salt formations.
Verfahren in der
Now Spectrum has announced what it ig Wave is a massive survey in the
Seismik, das describes as ‘impressive’ results concerning Eastern Gulf of Mexico designed
schwierige geologische sub-salt geology after using WEM techniques to to acquire 30 000 km of data in
Strukturen wie z. B.
process the 28 000 km Gulf of Mexico seismic Badvance of lease sales in the region.
Salzformationen
survey (Figs. 1 and 2). Spectrum’s team concluded that it showed clear
durchdringen kann,
The 2D survey was processed at Spectrum’s potential to improve the imaging of the Florida
könnte dazu beitragen,
dass der Golf von
newly refurbished Houston data processing and escarpment and the base of salt definition.
Mexiko auf dem Gebiet
imaging facility using both Kirchhoff and wave Spectum’s findings are an important addition
der Exploration eine
equation depth migration processing. to knowledge about the Gulf of mexico, which
ungeahnt wichtige
Andy Cuttell, head of Spectrum’s worldwide contains very thick and concentrated gas-
Rolle spielt. Ein Bericht data processing operations, explained the hydrate-bearing reservoir rocks which have
von Sean Ottewell. company’s approach: “We first processed the the potential to produce gas using current
seismic using Kirchhoff eikonal PSDM, which technology.
produced reliable data and revealed detail about Recent drilling by a government and industry
Una novedosa técnica
the complex geology in the Gulf of Mexico. We consortium confirm that the Gulf of Mexico is
sísmica de generación
de imágenes, que
then considered applying WEM and this has paid the first offshore area in the US with enough
puede penetrar
off by revealing clearer sub-salt definition. “ information to identify gas hydrate energy
estructuras geológicas
Spectrum scientist Guillaume Richard resource targets with potential for gas production.
➠
difíciles como las
formaciones salinas,
podría situar al Golfo
de México en una
nueva cota de
importancia en el
campo de la
exploración. Sean
Ottewell informa.
Fig. 1. Kirchoff section, flank of salt imaging, Fig. 2. Wave equation migration section of
offshore Florida. same location.
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