Petroleum exploration exercise using computerized interpretation of industry 3D seismic data

Abstract

This project is to develop web-based software, giving classes of up to 30 Level H and M students doing the Petroleum Exploration Geology module experience in the management, analysis and interpretation of a modern petroleum industry dataset.

A WebCT-based undergraduate practical exercise was developed using one of the School’s industry 3D seismic datasets to evaluate the petroleum geology of a prospective basin. Instruction in modern interpretation and visualization methods gives students hands-on experience of the unique and exciting views of the subsurface afforded by 3D seismic data. To date, a comparable exercise has employed paper copies of 2D seismic data. The recent introduction of a network licence server by SMT, the US company who donate their seismic software to the School, makes possible for the first time a whole-class exercise using 3D seismic data. The software runs on any PC which can connect to WebCT, assuming it has sufficient graphics capability.