--> Abstract: Challenges Experienced during Processing of a Transition Zone 3D Seismic Survey in Abu Dhabi, by Mohamed A. Mahgoub, Joe Karwatowski, Johan Witte, Thib Hussein, and Andre Leveque; #90105 (2010)

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AAPG GEO 2010 Middle East
Geoscience Conference & Exhibition
Innovative Geoscience Solutions – Meeting Hydrocarbon Demand in Changing Times
March 7-10, 2010 – Manama, Bahrain

Challenges Experienced during Processing of a Transition Zone 3D Seismic Survey in Abu Dhabi

Mohamed A. Mahgoub1; Joe Karwatowski1; Johan Witte1; Thib Hussein1; Andre Leveque1

(1) Exploration, ADNOC, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Acquisition of seismic data in Transition Zone (TZ) areas poses many challenges. Different sources and receivers are required to acquire data in the land, tidal flat, shallow water and marine environments. The diverse near-surface conditions and the differences between the various source and receiver types give rise to a complex cocktail of noises. Furthermore, poor first break picks in the transition zone can challenge traditional first break refraction statics techniques. As a result, the processing of TZ data requires unconventional and creative processing techniques to address the data quality issues that are unique to these types of datasets.

In this project, a 3D TZ seismic survey was acquired in three different, adjacent Abu Dhabi exploration areas utilizing nine different source and receiver combinations, each designed to accommodate specific requirements in sabkha, shore, shallow water and marine environments. Among numerous 3D seismic data processing issues tackled were matching and optimization of phase and amplitude, bandwidth, dual sensor OBC PZ summation, wavelet processing, pre- and post-stack coherent and incoherent noise attenuation, statics solutions and imaging.

The results led to a seamless final dataset with optimized resolution and continuity, suitable for refined structural interpretation and detailed stratigraphic analysis.