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Seismic interpretation is a critical step in evaluating the subsurface. Interpretation turns the large investments in seismic data acquisition and processing into tangible value: A plausible geological subsurface model that can be used for making well considered E&P decisions with major investment consequences. Seismic interpretation therefore plays a pivotal role in the E&P workflow and requires dedicated skills development. The aim of this course is to provide the necessary foundation in principles and workflows of seismic interpretation.

The basics of seismology will be covered as well as acquisition, processing, and interpretation. Exercises will be worked in the course to demonstrate different interpretation techniques and pitfalls. The emphasis will be to make the candidates aware of the strengths and limitations of seismic reflection data in exploring for oil and gas. Applied examples will be shown of several case studies as well as the application of AVO (amplitude variation with offset) and seismic attributes in the lowering of risk. The candidates must have basic geophysical knowledge and understanding of exploration and reservoir geology.

The course will be delivered in a way to meet the specific background and needs of the participants. The content can be tuned to the geological setting in which participants operate, and focus on those interpretation techniques that are most likely to be successful there. The course can be extended with extra time for coaching participants on their own seismic interpretation projects. The course uses a mixture of lectures, exercises and case histories. The participants can bring own cases for discussion.

By the end of this course delegates will learn about:

The course participants will have a solid foundation in Seismic Interpretation principles and workflows. They will be able to plan and execute an interpretation project and be able to avoid the most common pitfalls and will be familiar with interpretation QAQC. Whereas the course does not cover training in the hands-on use of common industry software tools for interpretation, it will provide the necessary foundation required for subsequent use of such tools in a professional manner.

Geologists, Geophysicists, Reservoir Engineers and Petroleum Engineers involved in the evaluation of 2D and 3D seismic data, Technical and business professionals (such as landmen, administrators, executive assistants, and finance and planning professionals) working in the oil and gas industry who would like the basics of the “science” of oil business. Land and royalty owners, as well as recent geology and geophysics graduates who would like an overview of the petroleum geophysics would also benefit from the course

· Recapitulation of the fundamentals related to interpretation, reflection coefficients, polarity convention etc.

· Exercises on seismic fundamentals

· Brief summary on seismic acquisition and processing, focusing on aspects that have direct relevance for interpretation, such as minimum/maximum offset, multiplicity, type of imaging, phase issues etc.

· Seismic acquisition/processing related exercises

· Generation of synthetic seismograms and well-to-seismic matching

· Well-to seismic matching exercise

· Summary of well geophysics

· Interpretation fundamentals and introduction of 2D/3D seismic interpretation workflows

· Marker recognition and transfer

· Seismic (volume) attributes for seismic interpretation

· Seismic illustration of structural styles: extension, compression, wrench and halokinesis

· Exercise with examples from the different styles

· Structural interpretation workflow in detail

· Exercise with round correlation of shallow markers

· Horizon tracking exercises

· Mechanics of faulting and fault interpretation

· Exercise with hand interpretation of fault segments

· Brief summary of stratigraphic interpretation

· Exercise on stratigraphic interpretation

· Interpretation pitfalls

· Interpretation project QAQC

· Overview of seismic velocities

· Time-to-depth conversion

· Exercise on seismic velocities, and time-do-depth conversion

· Mapping and contouring

· Contouring exercise

· Volumetrics and uncertainties

· Exercise on volumetrics

· Seismic expression of DHI’s

· Introduction to rock and fluid prediction from seismic

· Seismic inversion and AVO

· Exercises

· Case study