Sterling offers a complete suite of anisotropic time and depth imaging solutions.

Our approach

Our VTI and HTI anisotropic imaging includes preserved azimuth-offset PSTM. Our approach includes migration into offset vector tiles (OVT), preserving common offset and common azimuths. This vector imaging process properly decouples dip (structure) and HTI anisotropy. The azimuthal variations in the data can then be measured and corrected to improve imaging (fault resolution), plus provide valuable information about the reservoir (fractures, rock fabric, etc.)

Anisotropic Imaging

The azimuthal analysis after OVT-PSTM can include both azimuthal NMO (AzNMO) and azimuthal amplitudes (AVAZ). Performing azimuthal NMO produces several velocity attributes (vfast, vslow, azimuth vfast, vfast-vslow) which provide information about stress and fractures. Mathematical components of these velocity attributes can produce “direct fracture indicators” within the reservoir. These attributes can be co-rendered and mapped on a horizon basis to streamline interpretation. In addition, they can be integrated with additional attributes (curvature, etc.) and physical data (wells, production, cores, FMI logs, etc.).

Correcting and measuring anisotropy (VTI, HTI) in wide-azimuth recorded seismic data can provide valuable information to drilling engineers regarding natural fracture systems, in-situ stress fields, and geomechanical rock properties. Calibrating anisotropy attributes with reservoir properties can improve the completion process and hydraulic fracture stimulation.

Depth Imaging

Our data driven depth solutions provide a timely, cost effective method for improved geo-steering of long lateral wells.  With migration from surface, sophisticated anti-aliasing, and fast run-times utilizing our parallel clusters, we leverage Sterling’s precise time processing to produce superior depth images.  Enhanced algorithm capabilities improve phase stability and tuning to increase reservoir resolution.   Our “data driven” solution and integrated “well calibration” leads to improved geologic velocity models, higher spatial resolution and optimal depth imaging.