ABSTRACT

Using walk-away or 3D VSP data to create Virtual Sources in salt is a new useful tool for imaging and assessing drilling hazards in salt and immediately below the base of salt. It can be also used for accurate positioning of steep salt flanks. Creating Virtual Sources inside homogeneous salt allows us to eliminate any distorting effects caused by rugged top salt and complex overburden. The Virtual Source radiation pattern can be controlled and steered in the direction of desired illumination by selecting appropriate shot ranges at the surface. These new Virtual Source applications can have significant business impact for de-risking drilling through salt and improving well targeting in areas with salt.

Keywords:
surface seismic, prediction, virtual source, reflection, sediment, hazard, vsp data, vertical seismic profile, bakulin, subsalt imaging
Subjects:
Reservoir Characterization, Near-well and vertical seismic profiles, Seismic processing and interpretation
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2007. Society of Exploration Geophysicists
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