Seismic Modeling Engines

75547-Seismic modeling is a core component of petroleum exploration and production today. Potential applications include modeling the influence of dip on anisotropic migration; source/receiver placement in deviated-well three-dimensional surveys for vertical seismic profiling (VSP); and the generation of realistic datasets for testing contractor-supplied migration algorithms or for interpreting AVO (amplitude variation with offset) responses. This project will extend the use of a finite-difference modeling package, developed at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratories, to the advanced applications needed by industry. Phase I will demonstrate feasibility in the areas of refined meshing for surface topography, marine and sediment layers, faults, fractures and boreholes, and dynamic equivalent media for thin layering. The existing codes will be applied to demonstrate the utility of the modeling methods in a new application, three-dimensional VSP, where lack of synthetic data sets impedes the development and verification of velocity modeling and imaging methods. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The seismic modeling engine should lead to a software package for skilled geophysical users, along with a modeling service that could be offered to the industry.