Next Generation 3 D Imaging Models SEG Research

Next Generation 3 D Imaging Models SEG Research Committee Bill Abriel Lewis Bartel Bee Bednar Biondo Biondi Joakim Blanch Arthur Cheng Richard Day Gregory Elbring Mike Fehler Leigh House Stewart Levin Matthias Imhof Neill Simon (modeling sub-committee)

Cooperative Motivation Shared numerical models have been advantageous (e. g. Marmousi, SEG 3 D subsalt) New problems worth working on are of a size and cost not likely to be born by any one organization • • • 3 -D AVO analysis elastic inversion fracture detection prestack geometric attribute analysis shear wave splitting reservoir characterization OBC acquisition, illumination, and analysis multi-component data processing converted wave velocity analysis and imaging polarization filtering Q compensation 3 -D prestack migration in rugged topography

Window of opportunity for cooperative project Computational Cost 3 -D two-ways elastic ? Too expensive 3 -D two-ways acoustic No need of cooperative project 3 -D one-way elastic 2. 5 -D two-ways elastic 2005 2006 2007 2008 Years

Window of opportunity for cooperative project Computational Cost 3 -D two-ways elastic ? Too expensive 3 -D two-ways acoustic No need of cooperative project 3 -D one-way elastic 2. 5 -D two-ways elastic 2005 2006 2007 2008 Years

Modeling Project Evolution • Discussions among motivated colleagues (Stanford SEP etc. ) 2004 • Ad-hoc meeting at SEG 2004 Denver (including EAGE) – Biondi, Abriel, House, Bednar (and many others – names available) – Recognized rapid advancement in the past 10 years in sophistication of geophysical problems, modeling codes, compute speed, knowledge of properties and physics – Concluded there is significant momentum for modeling project – Recognized need for many models and many years to accomplish things in a stepwise fashion (e. g. elastic follows acoustic) – Proposed a consortium driven by SEG research committee • SEG research committee meeting 2005 – Agrees to be project “owner” – Suggest major role for long term project manager (Bee Bednar nominated) – Requests administrative assistance from SEG HQ

SEG executive committee meeting May 2005 Request is to become non-profit SEG “project” with cost recovery. Run by project manager, responsible to consortium members, but under SEG legal controls. Why the SEG ? ? • A Cooperative activity – Less conflicts of interest than being driven by a university or an oil company – Consistent with SEG charter to advance profession • SEG can provide mechanism for contractual and fiscal controls • SEG “ownership” provides evergreen intellectual interest – Catalyst for geophysical progress and collaboration – SEG can provide free data for educational purposes (donate to student sections, utility in SEG courses) – opportunity for collaboration with AAPG/SPE in modeling geophysical response of important geology and fluid flow

Business proposal to be developed for distribution • Operational structure – Fees $30 -$50 k / yr (initial 2 yr commitment) – Data exclusive for paying members 2 years – Data can be distributed to educational and non-profit organizations with consensus of paying members – Open access after 2 years (recover copy and storage costs) – SEG fiscal and contractual controls – Project manager for planning, operations, communication and coordination • Plans for modeling (2 -5 years) – Coordinate with Delft 3 D physical model (subsalt) – Expand numerical options in acquisition (Marine patch 3 D, 3 D VSP etc. . ) – Build numerous small models to grow expertise in properties (anisotropy, elastic propagation, 4 D production effects, complex stratigraphy …. ) – Tests and benchmarks of modeling codes and compute resources • Start-up planned for Fall 2005 (at or prior to SEG convention)

Executive Committee Participants (voting) + Operator (SEG) • • Tax-free status Legal, fiscal and contractual controls Project Manager Model design working group SEG officer SEG Research chair EAGE advisor • • • Bi-annual Funding Technical program approval Funding approvals Numerical modeling and software working group Model execution (contract ? ) Data distribution and archive (contract ) Analysis working group

Start-up plan (Summer 2005) Goal: Gather momentum before and at SEG convention to secure wide support for the project (e. g. sign up 20 -25 paying companies). • Before SEG – Sign-up 6 -8 Majors (Major = Major oil company and Large contractor) => Funding Members – Assemble a “model design working group” collecting model components from Funding Members » The Model Design Group should produce a conceptual design of the geological model before SEG. » The group should meet 2 -3 times before SEG (first tentative meeting on July 12 th at CSM). – Assemble a “numerical algorithm and software” working group to identify candidate for computations • At SEG – Present project during already scheduled SEG Post-Convention Workshop – Involve SPE and AAPG in the process by inviting representative to SEG workshop • After SEG – – Finalize contractual and legal framework Sign-up medium-size companies Try to get Grid-vendors (e. g. IBM, Sun) to support project START

1 st Q 2007 (? ) 1 st Q 2006 Ziggy physical 3 D subsalt • Numerical equivalent • With enhancements 2 nd Q 2006 Ziggy physical 3 D subsalt • Acquisition data sets 1. 3 D VSP 2. Multi –azimuth 3. … Small scale properties (e. g. velocity) Complex elastic parameters Specific stratigraphy Etc…………