Andy Cuttell, head of Spectrum’s worldwide data processing operations, explained their approach, “We first processed the seismic using Kirchhoff eikonal Pre-Stack Depth Migration (PSDM), which produced reliable data and revealed detail about the complex geology in the Gulf of Mexico. We then considered applying Wave Equation Migration and this has paid off by revealing clearer sub-salt definition.”
Spectrum’s Guillaume Richard commented, “Both Kirchhoff and WEM processing hold value to the petroleum geoscientist, because they help reveal different geological features. However, the workflow is quite different because the input for WEM consists of shot gathers. Using both techniques Spectrum has been able to learn important information on the sub-salt structure from this Eastern Gulf of Mexico data.”
The Houston team also tested the WEM technique on Spectrum’s Big Wave phase 1 multi client project and concluded that it showed clear potential to improve the imaging of the Florida escarpment and the base of salt definition.
