3D seismic reflection imaging of volcanic-hosted massive sulfide deposits: Insights from reprocessing Halfmile Lake data, New Brunswick, Canada

Geophysics ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. B209-B219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Malehmir ◽  
Gilles Bellefleur
Keyword(s):  
New Brunswick ◽  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
High Amplitude ◽  
Shape Effect ◽  
Lake Area ◽  
Deep Zone ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Near Surface

Three-dimensional seismic reflection data from the Halfmile Lake area, New Brunswick, Canada, was reprocessed over an 18- [Formula: see text] grid to improve the seismic signatures of a 5-million-ton volcanic-hosted massive sulfide (VHMS) deposit located at 1200-m depth, known as the deep zone, as well as key host-rock structures. We chose a prestack dip moveout (DMO) and poststack migration processing sequence to preserve the possible diffraction signature of the deep VHMS zone. Despite the high level of source-generated noise and large statics caused by near-surface conditions, our processing results revealed improved 3D seismic images for shallow and deep structures. Many of the imaged structures were easily correlated with known lithological con-tacts constrained by boreholes and petrophysical measurements. A short, flat-lying segment of high-amplitude reflection at about 800-m depth in the unmigrated cube was interpreted to originate from a small portion of the lower VHMS zone. The DMO stack was characterized by a large, high-amplitude asymmetric diffraction signature originating from the deep VHMS zone. The asymmetry of the diffraction hyperbola relative to the location of the deep zone was interpreted as resulting from a shape effect from the zone, with the strongest amplitudes along the diffraction hyperbola found north-northwest of the apex. This indicated that the deep VHMS zone dips in a similar direction. This diagnostic diffraction signature was not preserved with the prestack migration approach previously implemented for processing Halfmile Lake data.

Delineating ophiolite-derived host rocks of massive sulfide Cu-Co-Zn deposits with 2D high-resolution seismic reflection data in Outokumpu, Finland

Geophysics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. WC213-WC222 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. T. Kukkonen ◽  
S. Heinonen ◽  
P. Heikkinen ◽  
P. Sorjonen-Ward
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Host Rock ◽  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Massive Sulfide ◽  
High Amplitude ◽  
Ore Deposits ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Reflection Data

Seismic reflection data was applied to a study of the upper crustal structures in the Outokumpu mining and exploration area in eastern Finland. The Cu-Co-Zn sulfide ore deposits of the Outokumpu area are hosted by Palaeoproterozoic ophiolite-derived altered ultrabasic rocks (serpentinite, skarn rock, and quartz rock) and black schist within turbiditic mica schist. Mining in the Outokumpu area has produced a total of 36 Mt of ore from three historical and one active mine. Seismic data comprises 2D vibroseis data surveyed along a network of local roads. The seismic sections provide a comprehensive 3D view of the reflective structures. Acoustic rock properties from downhole logging and synthetic seismograms indicate that the strongly reflective packages shown in the seismic data can be identified as the host-rock environments of the deposits. Reflectors show excellent continuity along the structural grain of the ore belt, which allows correlating reflectors with surface geology, magnetic map, and drilling sections into a broad 3D model of the ore belt. Massive ores have acoustic properties that make them directly detectable with seismic reflection methods assuming the deposit size is sufficient for applied seismic wavelengths. The seismic data revealed numerous interesting high-amplitude reflectors within the interpreted host-rock suites potentially coinciding with sulfides.

Shallow seismic reflection study of a glaciated valley

Geophysics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 1395-1407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Büker ◽  
Alan G. Green ◽  
Heinrich Horstmeyer
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
High Amplitude ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Seismic Section ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Northern Switzerland ◽  
Reflection Data ◽  
Shallow Seismic ◽  
Glaciated Valley

Shallow seismic reflection data were recorded along two long (>1.6 km) intersecting profiles in the glaciated Suhre Valley of northern Switzerland. Appropriate choice of source and receiver parameters resulted in a high‐fold (36–48) data set with common midpoints every 1.25 m. As for many shallow seismic reflection data sets, upper portions of the shot gathers were contaminated with high‐amplitude, source‐generated noise (e.g., direct, refracted, guided, surface, and airwaves). Spectral balancing was effective in significantly increasing the strength of the reflected signals relative to the source‐generated noise, and application of carefully selected top mutes ensured guided phases were not misprocessed and misinterpreted as reflections. Resultant processed sections were characterized by distributions of distinct seismic reflection patterns or facies that were bounded by quasi‐continuous reflection zones. The uppermost reflection zone at 20 to 50 ms (∼15 to ∼40 m depth) originated from a boundary between glaciolacustrine clays/silts and underlying glacial sands/gravels (till) deposits. Of particular importance was the discovery that the deepest part of the valley floor appeared on the seismic section at traveltimes >180 ms (∼200 m), approximately twice as deep as expected. Constrained by information from boreholes adjacent to the profiles, the various seismic units were interpreted in terms of unconsolidated glacial, glaciofluvial, and glaciolacustrine sediments deposited during two principal phases of glaciation (Riss at >100 000 and Würm at ∼18 000 years before present).

Automating the acquisition of 3D near‐surface seismic reflection data

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven D. Sloan ◽  
Don W. Steeples ◽  
Georgios P. Tsoflias ◽  
Mihan H. McKenna
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Reflection Data

Investigating fault continuity associated with geologic carbon storage planning in the Illinois Basin

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. SA151-SA162 ◽  
Author(s):  
John H. McBride ◽  
R. William Keach ◽  
Eugene E. Wolfe ◽  
Hannes E. Leetaru ◽  
Clayton K. Chandler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Storage ◽  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Oil Field ◽  
Illinois Basin ◽  
Storage Site ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Seismic Attribute ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Reflection Data ◽  
Attribute Analyses

Because the confinement of [Formula: see text] in a storage reservoir depends on a stratigraphically continuous set of seals to isolate the fluid in the reservoir, the detection of structural anomalies is critical for guiding any assessment of a potential subsurface carbon storage site. Employing a suite of 3D seismic attribute analyses (as opposed to relying upon a single attribute) maximizes the chances of identifying geologic anomalies or discontinuities (e.g., faults) that may affect the integrity of a seal that will confine the stored [Formula: see text] in the reservoir. The Illinois Basin, a major area for potential carbon storage, presents challenges for target assessment because geologic anomalies can be ambiguous and easily misinterpreted when using 2D seismic reflection data, or even 3D data, if only conventional display techniques are used. We procured a small 3D seismic reflection data set in the central part of the basin (Stewardson oil field) to experiment with different strategies for enhancing the appearance of discontinuities by integrating 3D seismic attribute analyses with conventional visualizations. Focusing on zones above and below the target interval of the Cambrian Mt. Simon Sandstone, we computed attribute traveltime slices (combined with vertical views) based on discontinuity computations, crossline-directed amplitude change, azimuth of the dip, shaded relief, and fault likelihood attributes. The results provided instructive examples of how discontinuities (e.g., subseismic scale faults) may be almost “invisible” on conventional displays but become detectable and mappable using an appropriate integration of 3D attributes. Strong discontinuities in underlying Precambrian basement rocks do not necessarily propagate upward into the target carbon storage interval. The origin of these discontinuities is uncertain, but we explored a possible strike-slip role that also explains the localization of a structural embayment developed in Lower Paleozoic strata above the basement discontinuities.

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