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Elastic-Wavefield
Seismic Stratigraphy: A New Seismic Imaging Technology
(A study funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and Fasken
Oil and Ranch Ltd.)
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The
Exploration Geophysics Laboratory at the Bureau of Economic
Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, will partner with
Fasken Oil and Ranch Ltd. and Vecta Technology to develop a
new seismic imaging technology, Elastic Wavefield Seismic Stratigraphy.
This technology is based on the physics that each mode of an
elastic wavefield can, and often does, image a different suite
of stratal surfaces than do the other elastic modes. Shear (S)
modes can image seismic sequences and facies not observed in
the compressional (P) mode, which is the only elastic-wave mode
used in conventional seismic stratigraphy. |
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In a homogeneous
Earth, a full-elastic (9-component) seismic wavefield yields three
S-wave modes: SH (horizontal shear), SV (vertical shear), and C
(converted shear). In an anisotropic Earth, each of these S modes
splits into S1 (fast-S) and S2 (slow-S) modes controlled by the
principal axes of anisotropy. Thus there is a rich source of stratigraphic
information in a full-elastic wavefield that is not being utilized
in conventional P-wave seismic stratigraphy studies. The objectives
of this research are to create compelling examples that prove that
different stratal surfaces are imaged by different elastic wave
modes, to develop systematic relationships between petrophysical
properties and combinations of elastic-mode sequences and facies,
and to demonstrate how this new seismic imaging technology should
be applied to improve geologic understanding of oil and gas systems.
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| For more information,
please contact Bob Hardage. Telephone 512-471-0300; e-mail bob.hardage@beg.utexas.edu. |
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February
2003
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