seismic

data

In the seismic processing of the initially acquired lines, 2 dimensional gravity data was used to improve seismic modeling and imaging of salt. This proved to be valuable in the Pre-Stack Depth Migration phase of processing, so that when a network of seismic and gravity lines had been acquired a 3 dimensional earth model was created for the area of interest. Thus such a model was used in assessing 3 dimensional shapes - particularly salt.

The complex nature of this area encompasses sutured salt canopies, hidden salt roots and evacuated/welded basins. The ability to model these features using gravity, in both a forward modeling and inversion mode, prior to the Pre-Stack Depth Migration process saves valuable time and money in the seismic processing sequence.

Insight is also gained into deeper features such as basement structure and crustal composition. Throughout the 3 dimensional modeling and the 2 dimensional seismic interpretation phases, geophysicists working on the project had access to both gravity and seismic data. Integration and interaction throughout the process was crucial in obtaining a better understanding of the Western Gulf.