Unlocking Deeper Potentials through Specialized Processing Strategies – A Case Study from Offshore Indonesia

Summary A case study of unlocking deeper potentials on offshore Indonesia data with complex overburden containing low velocity channels at shallow section with the presence of varying thickness of high velocity carbonate platforms is presented. These complexities of high velocity contrasts in overburden create substantial sagging effects that creates a very challenging task in deeper imaging and obscures accurate interpretation at target reservoirs as observed in vintage data. Often, due to time and cost limitations, interpretations are done either on vintage seismic sections in time domain or on depth converted seismic sections using intermediate velocities such as velocity model extrapolated from existing wells or smoothed time migration velocities. Using conventional methods in complex overburden as described can be significantly misleading in effectively unlocking deeper potential. Optimal elimination of unwanted signals followed by effective bandwidth signal recovery is crucial in pre-processing stage. Adequately processed data could be obtained and integrated with right sequential applications of series of advanced and wide-ranging options of velocity model building capabilities. Through specialized processing strategies, it is possible to estimate velocity model accurately to minimize depth uncertainties in representing true subsurface. These actions are key to unlock the deeper potential guided by strong geophysical and geological fundamentals.