A modeling study for imaging in structurally complex media: Case history

Abstract

Two dimensional finite difference seismic modeling of a complex geologic structure was used to aid in seismic interpretation and the optimization of future acquisition and processing parameters. The depth/velocity model was derived from a balanced geological section in North Eastern British Columbia foothill inferred from a 1998 2D-seismic line, acquired by Husky Energy Corporation, and 5 adjacent wells drilled from 1981 to 2003. The model contains a velocity inversion, rough topography and characteristic structures found in NE BC.

Modeling seismic wave propagation within complex structures

“…However, the defects of FDM reveal themselves in the situations listed above, such as strong numerical dispersion and the diffi culty of dealing with irregular boundaries (Alford et al, 1974;Lines et al 1999;Hestholm et al, 2006;Thore 2006;and Xu et al 2007). Many improvements have been made in FDM to solve these problems (Tessmer, 2000;Oliveira, 2003;Ma et al 2004;Zhang and Chen 2006;and Moubarak et al 2007). Two methods of seismic forward modeling aimed at applying seismic simulation to complex geological subsurface structures and reservoirs are developed and implemented in this paper.…”