Seismic Interpretation

Seismic reflection is widely used in exploration, both offshore and onshore, regardless of the geological context. Although it was initially developed by the oil industry, it is now used by industry (oil and mining) as well as by research institutions and engineering firms. It can be deployed to image the subsurface on both a local and regional scale. Students will therefore learn to interpret sedimentary, structural, and fluid features identified on 2D and 3D seismic profiles. Particular attention will be paid to the resolution of the interpretation based on the initial data.

Using 2D and 3D seismic data, students will carry out a step-by-step interpretation project to provide an initial integrated assessment, drawing on their prior knowledge of geology. The entire interpretation will be performed on an interpretation workstation using dedicated industry-standard software (Kingdom and Petrel). Although training a skilled seismic interpreter generally takes several years, the objective of this module is to provide the concepts and fundamentals for error-free interpretation—that is, by avoiding common pitfalls such as object size issues and how to resolve them.
The datasets will be tailored to the course to best align with the educational objectives of the master’s programs from which the students come.
Skills targeted by the course unit:
> Understand the spatial and temporal representation of seismic data
> Perform horizon and fault propagation
> Understand and interpret seismic attributes
> Characterize sedimentary and structural features on maps and in cross-sections
> Create correlation maps and interpret them in the time domain
> Establish and represent tectono-sedimentary relationships
> Present an initial integrated geological assessment

Knowledge acquired during the third year of undergraduate studies in sedimentary geology and tectonics.

Final report + 3 graded lab reports.