Module manager: Dr Roger Clark
Email: r.a.clark@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable
Year running 2024/25
Course entrance pre-requisites
This module is not approved as an Elective
In this module, students will learn principles and practice of processing surface-seismic reflection and vertical-seismic-profile (VSP) data.
To review the methods used to process surface-seismic reflection data from raw data through to final seismic sections, and VSP data from raw data to corridor-stacks; to understand the physical principles that underlie these methods and how they are applied.
To reinforce and apply the knowledge of surface-seismic reflection and VSP data processing, by processing synthetic and/or real ('legacy') data over an extractive-industry target, using industry-standard software tools.
After completing this module, students will be able to
• understand the theory and principles behind surface-seismic reflection and VSP data processing;
• execute and critique the processing of 2D seismic reflection lines to a credible professional standard;
• author the necessary reportage for documenting a seismic processing sequence at a credible professional standard.
Learning outcomes will be assessed using formative practical exercises, an independent processing report, and an unseen exam.
Surface-seismic reflection processing: processing overview, subjectivity and evolution of processing outcomes.
Data formats, QC editing, amplitude scaling, binning to CMPs. Field static corrections for land and marine data. Deconvolution (deterministic and statistical: wavelet shaping, de-ghosting and de-signature, inverse Q deconvolution, predictive deconvolution). Signal-to-noise improvement by single and multi-trace filtering (bandpass, median, FK-, and Radon: other de-noise tools). Velocity analysis (CVG, CVS, semblance, NMO stretching and muting, spread-length bias, higher-order and anisotropic velocity analysis). Residual statics. Stacking tools, angle gathers, post-stack enhancement and display options. Multiple suppression (FK, Radon-domain, SRME). Migration: principles, DMO, methods (impulse responses, aperture; Kirchhoff/ray- and WEM-based methods, incl. RTM. Stolt FK). Post- and pre-stack, time and depth methods: resolution effects. Velocity updating tools (parametric, subsurface offset, tomographic, FWI). Special processing tasks: time-lapse (4D), converted-wave (PS) and ocean-bottom (OBC) surveys.
Vertical seismic profile (VSP) processing: signal and noise types and characteristics, wavefield separation, corridor stacks, VSP-CDP migration, direct property measurement.
Illustrative and investigative application of parts of the above, using industry-standard software package(s).
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| Lecture | 10 | 2 | 20 |
| Practical | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| Practical | 3 | 8 | 24 |
| Private study hours | 98 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 52 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 150 | ||
Completion of practicals and assessments, computer exercises, literature search, reading text books, and revision for examination.
Software workshops with feedback on example processing sequences; formative feedback during assessed practicals.
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Coursework Assignment | 40 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 40 | |
Resit by examination only (see below)
| Exam type | Exam duration | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc) | 3.0 Hrs 0 Mins | 60 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Exams) | 60 | |
A student who fails this Module may be offered a resit. The re-sit for this module will be a single unseen examination, of duration 3 hours, covering the same content, covering all Module Learning Outcomes. It will not necessarily be of the same format as the original examination. If the re-sit is granted as a new first attempt, the original examination mark will be discarded, and replaced by the re-sit examination mark even if it is lower. It will then be aggregated with the first-attempt coursework to provide a new Module mark. If the re-sit is a second and final attempt, the re-sit mark provides a new alternative mark for the whole Module and will be capped at 50%.
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 25/06/2024
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team