Shallow velocity model from the transient electromagnetic method data: results of application in Eastern and Western Siberia

Abstract

The geological section of Eastern and Western Siberia is an extremely complex object for a seismic exploration. The reason for this is the extremely high variability of the upper part of the section lithology, rough terrain, and permafrost rocks. This paper delivers an alternative approach to predicting the velocity model of the upper part of the section. The approach based on the original method of restoring the elastic-velocity characteristics from the data of transient electromagnetic method (TEM) in the near field zone. Research devoted to test the methodology of the shallow section velocity model calculation based on TEM data in a number of fields in Eastern and Western Siberia. Derived results aimed to improve the accuracy of the geological model building and the reliability of the hydrocarbon plays prediction. Synthetic modeling and field data confirm the high level of the proposed methodology effectiveness. It was shown that for the Eastern Siberia settings, an improvement in the quality of processing of seismic data consists in a significant increase in the dynamics and coherence of seismic recordings. In Western Siberia, it is possible to take into account the velocity anomalies associated with the permafrost rocks and zones of transit from the onshore part of the survey area to the sea. The main features of the study are useful in oil & gas companies and scientific institutions dealing with seismic data processing and interpretation to optimize expenses and improve blocks geology understanding.