ABSTRACT
Seismic reflection surveys in the fore deep areas are highly challenging due to three main
reasons: variable dip; vegetative cover and constraints to ensure energy propagation at the targeted
depth. On the other hand, the thrust belt areas are supposed to be highly promising zones of
hydrocarbon accumulation.
In the tectonically active and geologically complex areas defining bed boundaries is a
problematic issue particularly for structurally dislocated thin sands having low impedance contrast.
Under such circumstances conventional 2-D seismic surveys fail to provide good resolution data.
2-D multicomponent seismic surveys give much better picture by facilitating better migration and
resolving to a much greater accuracy the problems like out of the plain reflections; however,
problems like resolving anisotropic conditions particularly mapping fractures, multiple fault zones
accurately, getting rid of diffractions can only be achieved most reliably by the multicomponent
3D seismic. 3-D seismic survey with optimized field and instrument parameter designing can
achieve much higher degree of spatial resolution and trustworthy images of the subsurface
geology.
For the present study, we have experimented with parameter designing for 3D seismic
reflection survey in a logistically challenging area called Sadiya which is located between two
major rivers of the upper reach of the Brahmaputra valley, the Lohit and the Dibang.
Our objective is to device suitable strategy to map horizons at different depths namely,
Lower Namsang top at around 1500m depth, Barail top at around 5000m depth and the deepest
target is LK+TH top at around 6000m depth. The structure complexity raised questions about the
strategy to follow- i) should shallow and deeper horizons be mapped separately with two different
sets of acquisition parameters? Or, ii) both the shallow as well as deeper horizons having inter
formational thickness variability of 4-4.5 km be covered by a precisely optimized set of field
parameters? As we are not very sure about the basin-range relationship, basement involved or
basement detached fault mechanism, huge difference in the overburden thickness above the
targeted horizons pose as a formidable challenge to operate with a unique data set to address two
different sets of tectono-sedimentary problems. However, unfavorable logistic issues as well as
economic factors demand unique solution. Under this backdrop 3-D reflection seismic data
acquisition parameter designing becomes highly challenging.
In the present study we have experimented with designing 5 sets of
parameters suitable for different strategies to be followed broadly under three circumstances-
a).mapping shallow horizon independently, b).mapping the deepest horizon independently,
c).Optimization to facilitate both shallow and deeper horizon mapping simultaneously. MESA
software is used to generate offset versus trace relationships for different sets of acquisition
parameters and is represented with Rose diagrams which provides user friendly representation of
spatial data density distribution helping thereby appropriate policy decisions.