YP Seminar – Seismic Imaging of Salt Structures: some pitfalls and interpretation guidelines

Seismic imaging of evaporite bodies is notoriously difficult due to the complex shapes of steeply dipping flanks, adjacent overburden strata, and the usually strong acoustic impedance and velocity contrasts at the sediment-evaporite interface.

This talk will review the geology of salt bodies, salt composition and internal structure and the problems and pitfalls associated with salt imaging such as complex ray paths, seismic velocity anisotropy, P- and S-wave mode conversions, and reflected refractions.

Seismic examples will be used to illustrate well failures which could have been avoided, and where new or better-defined prospects have been generated by careful velocity analysis and processing.

Some recent developments in seismic acquisition and processing will be outlined, which have led to significant improvements in seismic illumination, and image quality; in particular, reverse time migration, larger source bandwidth and OBN surveys.

Bring your pens and pencils along with you as there will be exercises at the end of the talk to give you a chance to interpret some yourself!

Whether you are a PESGB Young Professional or PESGB main member come and join us at the YPs London evening Seminar.