Seismic Imaging under the Darai Limestone in the PNG Thrust-belt

Abstract

Seismic exploration in the PNG Highland's has experienced a `mini renaissance' over the last few years where the permit Operators have engaged a group of independent contractors to acquire several hundred kilometres of 2D seismic. The cost of acquisition is upwards of US$ 50,000 per kilometre which generally rules out in-field experimentation and places a greater emphasis on processing and pre-survey modelling. Many of the seismic programs have traversed thick, (massive, from 500m- >1000m) karst Darai Limestone at surface. The karst limestone, combined with the structural complexity of the thrust belt produces seismic images which range from clear to undecipherable. Full waveform elastic modelling based on wells at Gobe, Gobe-1X and Hides provides insights into seismic propagation through the limestone and lead to better acquisition design. In turn this may improve data quality to the point where pre-stack migration can be applied successfully.