Subsalt Image
Improvements in GOM using Shale and Salt Discrimination through
Muskaj, Shkelqim1, David
Quintanilla2, Hector Sepulveda2 (1) Veritas Humpson
Russell,
Shale and salt generally have the same
seismic chaotic facies. Further more, shales, like salt can be movable under
sedimentary load. Because of these similarities it is difficult to separate
them from each other. Having different velocity from salt will deteriorate the
subsalt image if they are interpreted to be salt instead of shale. Through
iteration of velocity model building for PSDM in Keathley Canyon, Walker Ridge
of GOM we have separated the shale and salt bodies and by doing that the
subsalt image has been improved significantly. Reflection strength, wavelet
polarity, as well as gather, base salt and subsalt reflection behavior on
different iteration of velocity model building process have been very helpful
in differentiation of shale and salt.
AAPG Search and Discover Article #90063©2007 AAPG Annual Convention, Long Beach, California