Near-surface structural model for enhanced seismic data acquisition and processing in North-Central Niger Delta

Abstract

Near-surface structural model was geostatistically developed from a sample density of 36 Uphole/LVL survey points to determine the properties of the weathering layer geological materials. Results from the generated Isopachs and Isovels show a dominant 2-weathered layer model with 1-weathered layer model in only five locations, mainly along the escarpment. The average thickness of the weathering layer to the first refractor consolidated layer is 18.84 m with an average velocity of 1791.40 ms -1 . Weathering thicknesses ranged from 1.3 to 4.7 m, subweathering thicknesses from 11.4 to 35.7 m; weathering velocities from 119 to 941 ms -1 ; subweathering velocities from 425 to 1665 ms -1 and consolidated layer velocities from 1610 to 2208 ms -1 . Proper application of these results will prove very useful and reliable for the enhancement of optimization processes during stages of seismic data processing and serve as baseline data for future 4D seismic data acquisition for accurate mapping of the deep underlying structures for oil and gas exploration in the North-Central part of the Niger Delta.