Stratigraphic Interpretation Enhanced by High-Resolution High-Capacity Acquisition Methods--A Case History

M. R. Hewitt

This case history of a seismically defined stratigraphic objective used high-resolution recording, processing, and interpretation procedures. The stratigraphic objective is a meandering, ancient river valley, 1-3 mi wide, containing Morrowan sands up to 150 ft thick at a nominal depth of 7,000 ft. Near-surface gypsum deposits in the area produce large, abruptly changing, static variations, which distort and corrupt the reflected seismic data when recorded with conventional seismometer array lengths. A high-capacity recording system can maintain the noise cancellation advantages of the longer conventional seismometer arrays, but also allows for the static and dynamic corrections interior to these longer groups. The high-capacity acquisition procedures were instrumental in roducing seismic stratigraphic cross sections with sufficient bandwidth and signal to noise ratios to map the geologic objective adequately. Subsequent drilling confirmed the seismic interpretation.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91043©1986 AAPG Annual Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, June 15-18, 1986.