--> Abstract: Deepwater GOM - Recent Advancements In Deep Water Seafloor Imaging: Integrating Deep Tow, Submersible, and Conventional 3-D Seismic To Evaluate the Garden Banks Block 260 Baldpate Development, by R. R. Pressler and D. B. Walker; #90932 (1998).

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Abstract: Deepwater GOM - Recent Advancements In Deep Water Seafloor Imaging: Integrating Deep Tow, Submersible, and Conventional 3-D Seismic To Evaluate the Garden Banks Block 260 Baldpate Development

PRESSLER, RON R., and D. BRET WALKER
Amerada Hess Corporation, Houston, TX

After the initial Baldpate discovery made by the AHC Garden Banks 260 Well #1, efforts were initiated to delineate the optimum surface location for project development. Multiple data sets were acquired and interpreted to provide an analysis of ocean bottom conditions.

Shallow Tow Hazard Data indicated abundant surface faulting and near surface zones of acoustic wipeout. Due to the inability of this data to adequately image features where water depths ranged from 900 ft to 1,750 ft additional technology was employed.

A Deep Tow Hazard Survey was acquired and interpreted. The improved resolution confirmed acoustic wipeout zones near the potential Platform which could be associated with authegenic carbonates, gas hydrates and gas seeps within this water depth regime.

AHC's desire to understand the source of these events and their impact on potential development led to methods of visual observation. To this end, AHC contracted the Johnson Sea-Link submersible to conduct dives in and around GB260.

Potential pipeline routes were also investigated. Recon data acquired as part of the Deep Tow Survey highlighted a potential pipeline corridor. Due to the sparse grid of data, gaps existed over key areas. Workstation utilization of the conventional 3D seismic provided remarkable duplication of the detailed hazard data mapping, and infilled these gaps. AHC now routinely incorporates this 3D application into hazard analysis.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90932©1998 GCAGS/GCS-SEPM Meeting, Corpus Christi, Texas