Appraising a Mediterranean Giant Discovery in Pre-Salt Carbonates: the Key Value of Depth Imaging

Abstract

Summary We describe the main results of a Velocity Model Building (VMB) and a Prestack Depth Migration (PSDM) project targeting the imaging of a carbonate build-up in a pre-salt complex setting in the deep water of the Egyptian offshore. The purpose of the project was to support the characterization of the exploration targets and the subsequent optimization of the appraisal and development phases in the shortest possible turnaround times. The heavy usage of HPC (High Performance Computing) resources enabled the fast generation of several scenarios used to iteratively refine the Top and Base of Salt interpretations in a close-loop integration with halokinetics specialists. The applied workflow led to significant improvements of the highly complex velocity model that increased the quality of pre-salt imaging and the geological reliability of the reservoir structure, with a consequent de-risking of the appraisal and development wells.