Interactive interpretation of seismic data

Abstract

Interactive interpretation is urgently needed to increase the productivity of the world' s hard-pressed seismic interpreters. This paper describes the use of an interactive system that displays seismic data in color on a television screen. The system is easy to use and, by automatically managing the data base for the interpreter, permits him to spend a larger portion of his time on the thoughtful process of interpretation itself. A 3-D data volume can be studied in both vertical or horizontal section form. The system can equally well handle the irregular grid from a 2-D survey.In the course of interpreting a section on the screen, the interpreter may manipulate portions of that section in a variety of ways. He may make composite displays of multiple pieces of data, track horizons in automatic or manual modes, and zoom portions of the data to any desired extent. An interpretation made on one section can later be viewed on other sections marked at the points of intersection. Data can also be flattened to aid in structural and stratigraphic interpretations. Working maps can be produced at any time to check the progress of the interpretation. Final maps can be smoothed and manipulated to yield isochron, isopach, and other map product%