The Interpreter’s Guide to Depth Imaging
By: Dr Scott MacKay
Dr Scott MacKay
Fill in duration day(s)
24-27 September 2024;Surface Imaging
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An intuitive approach to understanding the interpretive aspects of depth imaging, and the risk of using time migration. The course reviews depth-conversion goals and compares time and depth migration using case histories. Next is an overview of depth migration algorithms in common use, Kirchhoff (ray) versus RTM (wave). Industry methodologies are presented for tomographic velocity updates and full-waveform inversion. This course demonstrates intuitive QCs and provides spreadsheet analysis tools for planning and ensuring realistic velocity-resolution goals and stable imaging solutions. The importance of defining the polarity and phase of the seismic is presented as part of the database-validation process used to identify and remove inconsistencies between interpreted surfaces and well tops before deriving anisotropic parameters. The course continues with a robust approach to well-top calibration of the final depth-imaging deliverables. Freeware is provided to provide a statistical method of depth calibration and estimating depth uncertainty. Finally, there is a review of using attributes from depth imaging for azimuthal stress definition and implementing machine learning for classification and estimation.
• Differentiate between time and depth migration
• Distinguish between commonly used depth migration algorithms
• Appraise methods for velocity updating (tomography/FWI) appropriate for the geology
• Define target velocity resolution for tomography and related imaging grids
• Establish consistency between well tops and horizons in an interpretive database
• Plan and review QCs for iterative velocity updates
• Assess the methods used for determining anisotropic parameters
• Perform well-top calibration of depth-imaging volumes
• Evaluate the validity/uncertainty of advanced seismic attributes
• Review practical aspects of machine-learning classification and estimation.
The following steps in seismic data processing will be discussed:
Intended for seismic interpreters incorporating depth imaging into their evaluations, and depth-processing imagers looking to better interact with interpreters. Training is conducted with a combination of lectures, demonstrations, and illustrative datasets.
Participants should be familiar with the seismic method and have several years of interpretation or processing experience.
Scott MacKay is an independent consultant with over 40 years of experience. He is an acknowledged expert in interpretation, depth conversion, and depth imaging. After graduating from Colorado School of Mines with an MS in Geophysics he joined a major oil company where he worked ten years as an exploration geophysicist. Scott next joined Schlumberger where he became Manager of R&D and a Schlumberger Advisor. His other roles included World-wide Coordinator for Depth Imaging, Manager of Time-lapse Reservoir Characterization and Multi-component Imaging. During this time, he earned a PhD in Geology and Geophysics from the University of Houston. Scott later became an independent consultant working international interpretation projects and advising on the application of new technologies and their impact on risk reduction. His main specialty is the application of depth imaging to unconventional plays and CCUS planning to quantify reservoir properties. Scott has five U.S. patents and numerous publications on applying innovative and practical solutions to exploration and exploitation challenges.