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Why Upholes Abstract-2

This paper discusses the value of uphole surveys for seismic data processing and static corrections. Upholes provide important calibration data to validate static corrections and refine the subsurface velocity model, especially in areas with long wavelength structures and where the refracting layer is deep. The author analyzes the costs and benefits of acquiring uphole data and recommends appropriate processing and storage methods. Several case studies show that surveys incorporating upholes provided improved subsurface imaging and added value that was later confirmed by drilling results.

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Nadia Nina
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38 views1 page

Why Upholes Abstract-2

This paper discusses the value of uphole surveys for seismic data processing and static corrections. Upholes provide important calibration data to validate static corrections and refine the subsurface velocity model, especially in areas with long wavelength structures and where the refracting layer is deep. The author analyzes the costs and benefits of acquiring uphole data and recommends appropriate processing and storage methods. Several case studies show that surveys incorporating upholes provided improved subsurface imaging and added value that was later confirmed by drilling results.

Uploaded by

Nadia Nina
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Why Upholes –An expensive exploration tool not fully

appreciated or understood.
Peter J. Bell; CGS Ltd.

Abstract
This paper is designed to open discussion about the use and need for Upholes while
planning a 3D survey. All the data I show relates only to P wave, but the basic ideas are
relevant to 3C upholes as well. Most of the data that I present comes from North Africa, and
is more particularly referenced to the exploration of the Berkhine/Ghadames basin where
the structures have very little relief (in time or depth). I intend to shed light on what we have
been doing and give some guidance for future work.

In many areas of the world long wavelength control of the statics is crucial to the
volumetrics and closure analysis of potential accumulations of hydrocarbons. Most seismic
processing contractors use a refractor based algorithm to estimate the static corrections
needed to place the seismic data to a given datum, and then complement these field statics
with a CMP based reflection residual static.

Traditional methods of calibrating these waveforms have been the Uphole (which is very
often a “Downhole”), In this paper I will look at methods of acquiring the data, compare the
uphole vs the downhole method, examine what further use the uphole data has, particularly
in regard to “look ahead” processing, where the refractor used for refraction statics is well
below the capabilities of the drilling equipment. I will show examples where upholes have
controlled the final statics picture to give a different result from that expected, and where
later drilling information has confirmed the usefulness of the calibrated static method.

I will analyse the cost of acquiring and processing the upholes and recommend appropriate
methods of processing and storing this valuable data. There will also be a discussion on
the error limits of uphole data.

Over the years we have learned that when an uphole study has been designed, executed
and processed correctly, it adds “belt & braces” to the static solution and gives added
confidence in the final processed 3D data. Several 3D surveys that have adopted a well
controlled uphole calibration method have later been proved to have added value to the 3D
by subsequent drilling and calibration to formation tops.

Peter Bell started his education in the Seismic Industry in 1975 with GSI and he
hasn’t stopped being educated yet. His main interests are 3D design, acquisition
and processing on land, and he has been studying the near surface “interactively”
since field crew operations in the Rub-Al-Khali Oman in 1979. First through the
adaptation of refraction statics in 1985, to today’s tomographic solutions. He has
always believed that Nyquist was right, and in many cases sampling is the key to
most seismic problems.

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