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Generalized Shot-Profile Wave-Equation Imaging--3DGeo Development, Inc., 16225 Park Ten Place, Suite 370, Houston, TX  77084-5113;  408-450-7840, www.3dgeo.com 

Dr. Alexander M. Popovici, Principal Investigator, mihai@3dgeo.com 

Dr. Dimitri Bevc, Business Official, dimitri@3dgeo.com 

DOE Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83586

Amount:  $749,934

This project will develop and demonstrate a seismic data processing technology that facilitates exploration in complex geologic areas, improves reservoir characterization for both oil and gas, increases the accuracy of estimating petrophysical attributes, and decreases the costs of exploratory drilling and failed secondary recovery injection projects.  The approach will use both three-dimensional, prestack shot-profile wave-equation migration and a novel three-dimensional migration velocity analysis to enable better imaging of geologic structure as well as improved reservoir characterization in structurally complex land areas.  Phase I developed prototype software that increases imaging resolution in complex geologic areas and deep (over 15,000 feet) land basins and Gulf of Mexico shelf basins.  The primary goal of generating angle gathers using shot-profile wave-equation migration, and using them for migration velocity analysis update, was accomplished.  Phase II will apply the methodology to a large, 600 square kilometer, three-dimensional seismic dataset in production conditions.  In parallel work, a method for performing automatic velocity analysis, via a high-resolution parametrization of the residual moveout in angle gathers followed by tomographic update, will be developed.  This research will determine the ability of the new generalized-wave-equation imaging software to process large three-dimensional seismic surveys.

Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by awardee:  The technology should allow three-dimensional seismic data to be used much more effectively to characterize and delineate oil reservoirs and to monitor enhanced oil recovery processes in extremely complicated geological areas, such as the deep Rocky Mountain basins.  Accurate and higher resolution imaging in these areas can reduce extraction costs, development costs, and increase both the amount of hydrocarbons recovered and the number of national oil and gas reserves that can be produced economically.