Enhancing SAR seep interpretation with broadband seismic: a case study from the Timor Trough
Rowan Edwards A D , Marcus Sanderson A , Pedro Martinez Duran B , Gregor Duval C and Mike King AA CGG NPA, Crockham Park, Main Road, Edenbridge, TN8 6SR, UK.
B CGG Geoconsulting, Crompton Way, Crawley RH10 9QN, UK.
C CGG Multiclient New Ventures, Crompton Way, Crawley RH10 9QN, UK.
D Corresponding author. Email: rowan.edwards@cgg.com
The APPEA Journal 57(2) 818-821 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ17019
Accepted: 7 April 2017 Published: 29 May 2017
Abstract
By combining sea surface seep data derived from synthetic aperture radar imagery and 2D seismic acquired by CGG’s Multi-client New Ventures, a seeps to seismic workflow has been developed which allows the linking of interpreted surface seeps with features on the seabed and within the subsurface related to seepage.
The project combines these data sources in order to create hotspot maps which describe the quality and frequency of these seep related features, be it direct hydrocarbon indicators, possible migration pathways, fluid escape features or seabed features. By combing these maps with the surface seeps, localised points of hydrocarbon generation, migration and escape are able to be identified.
3D modelling software is utilised to link these hot spots within the seismic along strike and identify the most important and continuous structures. By identifying and understanding the geology where hydrocarbons are reaching the surface it is possible to better identify potential locations where the same hydrocarbons may instead be properly trapped. This allows the efficient identification of prospects within a basin.
Keywords: basin analysis, Broadseis, de-risking, fault seal analysis, migration, petroleum systems, satellite imagery, seepage slicks, seeps to seismic, quality control.
Rowan Edwards holds a BSc in geology and an MSc in petroleum geoscience from Royal Holloway. He has been in his current role as a geologist for NPA Satellite Mapping, which is part of CGG, for 3 years. This is mostly working on onshore interpretations and also within the seeps to seismic team which produced this paper. He is a member of the Geological Society of London, the AAPG and the PESGB. |
References
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