Interpretation driven velocity model building to improve subsalt imaging

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Ritter
Keyword(s):  
Model Building ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Velocity Model Building ◽  
Subsalt Imaging

Advances in velocity model-building technology for subsalt imaging

Geophysics ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. VE173-VE181 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Wang ◽  
Young Kim ◽  
Chuck Mason ◽  
Xiansong Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Model Building ◽  
Seismic Energy ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Hydrocarbon Exploration ◽  
Building Technology ◽  
Depth Processing ◽  
Velocity Model Building ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Subsalt Imaging

Seismic imaging of hydrocarbon accumulations below salt is a formidable challenge because complexly shaped salt bodies severely distort wavefronts or scatter seismic energy. We have highlighted some recent advances in building a velocity model for subsalt imaging. There are three main stages: suprasalt velocity determination, salt-model definition, and subsalt velocity update. Volumetric high-resolution tomography that incorporates high-velocity contrast boundaries is used to derive a good sediment velocity model before building a salt model. To facilitate integration of interpretation and depth processing, beam-based interactive imaging is used to refine the salt geometry. For subsalt velocity update, either subsalt tomography or subsalt scan-based techniques can be used, depending on the quality of subsalt reflections. There are concepts and techniques for attaining subsalt images suitable for hydrocarbon exploration beneath complexly shaped salt bodies.

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