--> 3D Seismic Interpretation in Salt Basins: Analytic Review of Case Studies

2019 AAPG Eastern Section Meeting:
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3D Seismic Interpretation in Salt Basins: Analytic Review of Case Studies

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) seismic technology is one of the most vital developments in the earth sciences, particularly in oil and gas industries over the last century. The surprisingly high resolution of the 3D seismic technology provides the solid foundation needed to discover interesting geological structures such as salt diapirs. The 3D seismic interpretation plays a key role in delineating and analyzing the possible prospects in salt-controlled basins. The understanding of fault systems, ability to create good structural maps, and capability to recognize the tectonic nature of salt diapirs are the key to crucial and successful seismic interpretation. In addition, 3D seismic data provide seismic interpreters and earth geoscientists with the required ability to delineate subsurface structures and stratigraphic features in detail to a resolution of over thousands of square kilometers. Based on 3D seismic interpretation, the results present a strong relationship between the activity of these faults and the accumulation of the hydrocarbon reservoirs in salt-controlled basins. As academic researchers claim, the adoption of 3D seismic technology as a research orientation is still in its early stages and may be subjected to future full potential. The present paper provides an analytic overview of case studies to demonstrate a good correlation between the implication of the 3D seismic data interpretation and the main phases of salt tectonics in salt- controlled basins.