New Paradigm of Fault Interpretation

A high-level fault interpretation workflow using automatically extracted surfaces is presented with special attention on the human interaction part. The first step of the workflow is to generate a fault attribute that enhances the discontinuities in the seismic data. Fault-like surfaces are then extracted using an algorithm called “Ant Tracking”. The surfaces are then loaded into a 3D analysis tool where the interpreter, by interactively verifying, combining and deleting surfaces, decides what is to be the final interpretation. The interpreter works on two levels in the analysis tool; on the fault system level, and the individual surface level. This “top-down” approach to fault interpretation is demonstrated by a case study of two fields offshore mid Norway.