Imaging the Hoop Fault complex via horizon and fault constrained tomography

Abstract

The Hoop Fault complex in the Southwestern Barents Sea presents an imaging challenge to accurately model the sharp velocity contrast across a major fault boundary. Improperly accounting for this velocity discontinuity would lead a poorly focused image and false structures. We present an approach that leverages interpreted fault planes as well as marker horizons to drive and constrain tomographic velocity updates.

Benefits of constraints for velocity modeling a fault shadow: A case study

“…Generally the data-driven modeling is supplemented with constraints to stabilize the inversion (Stork and Clayton, 1992). Other authors have incorporated constraints for building fault shadow models using explicit fault (Birdus, 2007) and/or horizon (Rodriguez et al, 2011) interpretations. Here we incorporate explicit constraints but also implicit constraints based on steering filters from dip fields (Clapp et al, 2004).…”