--> ABSTRACT: Seismic Exploration Pitfalls in Northeastern United States, by James R. Morris; #91023 (1989)
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Seismic Exploration Pitfalls in Northeastern United States

James R. Morris

Seismic reflection profiling is a significant part of most exploration programs. A growing number of geologists and petroleum engineers are responsible for the acquisition, processing, and interpreting seismic data. The purpose of this paper is to identify, discuss, and provide solutions to the most Previous HitcommonNext Hit errors made in acquiring, processing, and interpreting seismic data in the northeastern United States.

Many pitfalls can be made in the design and layout of field acquisition parameters such as: line length, important for proper depth imaging; line orientation, which determines the degree of sideswipe contamination; line location, which enhances or minimizes near surface weathering anomalies; and choice of energy source, affecting temporal and spacial resolution by their inherent properties.

Static anomalies in processing, such as incorrect surface to datum corrections, unresolved static busts or leg jumps, and uncorrected valley or glacial fill velocity anomalies can deteriorate structural integrity and temporal resolution. Noise reduction and enhancement algorithms, like F-K filters and coherency filters, can deteriorate spacial resolution critical to subtle structural or stratigraphic traps.

Previous HitCommonNext Hit interpretation errors include misidentified reflecting horizons, which can result in a low Previous HitangleTop thrust fault target being missed by the drill bit or a reef test well encountering only a thickened salt section. Finally, single horizon mapping, in complex structural settings or within irregular depositional patterns, can result in unrestrained interpretation scenarios which are not internally consistent or geologically reasonable.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91023©1989 AAPG Eastern Section, Sept. 10-13, 1989, Bloomington, Indiana.