Oil and Gas
Oil and Gas | Geophysics and Seismic Interpretation
Seismic Methods
Course Code: EC008
Course Outline:
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Format and Duration:
5 hours
The fundamentals of the seismic method are an essential background, whether you are trying to characterise the shallow sub-surface to site a windfarm, understand a reservoir to extract hydrocarbons, or to use a reservoir to store CO₂. This course provides an appreciation of the strengths and weaknesses of key seismic methods and will cover what questions to ask about seismic resolution, structural imaging, and depth maps. The first module will describe the relevant parts of the seismic process including basic theory and introduction to seismic data acquisition and processing. Later modules expand on seismic acquisition and processing and structural imaging. In more specialised modules we investigate wavelets and seismic resolution before coving simple issues on depth conversion and mapping the subsurface.
Training Method
This is a self-paced e-learning course. Learning materials are structured into short sections, each including interactive text and image content, animations, video, and audio. An end of course quiz is scored to provide the learner with their learning progress. Approximately 5 hours learning time.
Course Overview
Learning Outcomes
Participants will learn to:
- Explain the strengths and limitations of seismic technologies and interpretations.
- Recall the types of tools and analyses available to seismically image the subsurface and assess geological risks.
- Participate in technical conversations with geophysicists and contractors and distinguish whether their recommendations are likely to improve the way you approach subsurface imaging.
- Evaluate requests for capital to fund additional geophysical studies or seismic data, as appropriate.
Course Content
Introduction to Seismic Methods
This module will describe the relevant parts of the seismic process from data acquisition, processing through to structural imaging.
- Basic concepts – types of sources, types of waves – surface, body, P, S
- Wavefronts vs. raypaths
- Velocity and density, acoustic impedance
- Reflections, reflection coefficient, depth to time conversion
- Shot gathers, single fold, multiple fold
- Stacking and zero-offset concept
- 2D geometry and coverage
Seismic Acquisition
In this module, we will cover in more detail 2D and 3D land and marine seismic acquisition concepts and how different choices in survey design can affect the quality of the final image.
Seismic Processing
This module will discuss key data processing stages required to manipulate recorded shot records into images of the subsurface. 2D and 3D processing – binning, statics, velocity analysis, NMO, stack, Time migration, migration velocity determination, Depth migration, Image ray tracing, Complex depth conversion and map migration
Simple Depth Conversion
This module will explain the process of converting seismic data from a time scale to a depth scale. By the end of this module, you will be familiar with different types of velocities and the depth conversion methods used for each.
Structural Modelling
This module will demonstrate the principles of normal incidence and vertical incidence modelling and their use in verifying seismic interpretations.
Wavelets
This module will describe the types of wavelets, the frequency domain and phase definition.
Resolution
This module will explain the importance of resolution to the accuracy of seismic interpretation. We will cover both vertical and horizontal resolution and discuss how to maximise resolution for a given target.
Accreditation and Certification
CEU: 0.5 Continuing Education Units
PDH: 5 Professional Development Hours
Certificate: Certificate Issued Upon Completion
RPS is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. We comply with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognised internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices.
We issue a Certificate of Attendance which verifies the number of training hours attended. Our courses are generally accepted by most professional licensing boards/associations towards continuing education credits. Please check with your licensing board to determine if the courses and certificate of attendance meet their specific criteria.