CGGVeritas uses reverse time migration on Tupi discovery

Offshore staff

PARIS -- CGGVeritas has re-processed a test area covering the Tupi discovery using its advanced reverse time migration, which significantly enhanced the image of the reservoir beneath the salt, the company says. The test was performed on the CGGVeritas multi-client library, and based on its success CGGVeritas is now reprocessing the overall survey.

According to the company, reverse time migration provides the most accurate images of the subsurface in complex areas compared to other seismic migration schemes. By using a full two-way solution to the wave equation, and given an accurate velocity model, it will accurately construct an image using all available arrivals in the seismic record. This technique is particularly suited to areas where direct illumination of the subsurface is limited.

CGGVeritas is currently using this technology for imaging most of the projects it processes in the Gulf of Mexico, offshore Brazil, and offshore West Africa. Besides subsalt imaging this technology also helps in imaging data in a wide range of geological settings, which ultimately help in attribute and reservoir studies, the company says.

11/18/2008