Depth imaging and visualization techniques are critical in the accurate determination of the complex salt body geometries in the Gulf of Mexico. The geometry of an allochtonous salt body in a 3D post-stack depth-migrated seismic dataset from the South Vermilion area, Gulf of Mexico, has been interpreted and visualized in a state-of-the-art three-dimensional workspace.

The process of salt evacuation, leading to a welled surface between the sub-and supra-salt sequences, has been reconstructed in three dimensions. Late stage deformation of the allochtonous salt took place near to the sea floor, and gave rise to small, localized intra-saltsheet depocenters. These depocenters are bounded by listric extensional faults and show onlapping and downlapping reflection configurations onto the original upper salt surface. As a result of complete salt evacuation these basins may overlie directly on the subsalt sequence.

The combination of modeling using three-dimensional visualization techniques and depth-migrated seismic data greatly enhances the understanding of the dynamics of salt and sediment interaction. This increased understanding leads to a more precise evaluation of the supra- and subsalt prospectivity and its associated risks.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90928©1999 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas