Processing of seismic data from overthrust in Latin America: Some success stories

Conference · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:93131

Mitchel, R G; Tilander, N G; Lattimore, R K; Wuenscher, M E ^[1]; Ferguson, R W ^[2]

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1. Chevron Overseas Petroleum, San Ramon, CA (United States)
2. Chevron Petroleum Technology Co., San Ramon, CA (United States)

Chevron has several years of experience with processing seismic data from the eastern Andes and other overthrust areas where data quality has ranged from fair to non-existent in the past. These are areas where topography is often severe, near-surface velocity and geology are highly variable, and operating conditions are difficult. Data acquisition is expensive and in many cases costs have not been justified. However, recent processing projects have given encouragement that better and more cost-effective data quality can be achieved. Better data quality is related to several factors: (1) Data acquisition parameters must be chosen properly and acquisition must be done according to plan. (2) Compensating for the effects of the near-surface on reflection travel times is very important and must be cone correctly for good data quality. (3) The processing datum should involve a minimum bulk static shift and should be CDP-consistent. (4) Velocity analysis and residual statics need to be done in ways that maximize signal/noise; multiple iterations may be necessary. (5) Finally, shortcoming in any of the steps leads to inferior data quality; careful quality control and interpreter input must be emphasized.

• OSTI ID: 93131
• Report Number(s): CONF-941015--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
DATA ACQUISITION
GEOLOGIC FAULTS
IMAGE PROCESSING
LATIN AMERICA
MOUNTAINS
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
SEISMIC SURVEYS