Generalized Shot-Profile Wave-Equation Imaging

72216S03-I This project will develop and demonstrate a seismic data processing technology that facilitates exploration in complex geologic areas, improves reservoir characterization for both oil and gas, increases the accuracy of estimating petrophysical attributes, and decreases the costs of exploratory drilling and failed secondary recovery injection projects. The approach will use both three-dimensional, prestack shot-profile wave-equation migration and a novel three-dimensional migration velocity analysis to enable better imaging of geologic structure as well as improved reservoir characterization in structurally complex land areas. Phase I is an implementation effort and feasibility study designed to demonstrate the functionality of the wave-equation shot profile migration and the use of angle-domain common image gathers for three-dimensional migration velocity analysis. Phase II will focus on implementation and testing of the proposed technology on three-dimensional, synthetic and real data in a commercial-strength production workflow. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee: The technology should allow three-dimensional seismic data to be used much more effectively to characterize and delineate oil reservoirs and to monitor enhanced oil recovery processes in extremely complicated geological areas, such as the deep Rocky Mountain basins. Accurate and higher resolution imaging in these areas can reduce extraction costs, development costs, and increase both the amount of hydrocarbons recovered and the number of national oil and gas reserves that can be produced economically.