Seismic data may be used to enhance well data in a prospect area. The method involves the generation of depth, time, and velocity surfaces, and manipulation of these surfaces to generate an integrated depth, structure, or isopach map.

The usual sequence is: (1) use well data to generate a depth surface, (2) use seismic data to generate a time surface, (3) divide the above two to obtain a velocity surface, (4) interpolate velocities for seismic data using the velocity surface, (5) calculate depth for seismic data, (6) merge depths from seismic data with those from well data, and (7) use combined depths to generate the enhanced depth surface.

There can be many variations to this procedure, yielding better results in some situations. Special handling is required when there are mis-ties or

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gross discrepancies between seismic lines, faults, or suspected bad well data.

In addition to the basic surface manipulation tools, an interactive environment allows the system user to manipulate individual data items (add, delete, or alter well data, shift seismic data, etc), attempt different approaches, and play "what-if" games, until the most satisfactory set of results is obtained.

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