Visualizing subtle structural and stratigraphic features on 3D seismic-reflection data: a case study from offshore Libya

Seismic-reflection data contain residual noise after processing, which can cause geologic misinterpretation of noise-sensitive seismic attributes. For detailed subsurface imaging, seismic data conditioning can enhance the visualization of subsurface reflection features down to the limit of seismic resolution. This study on the Gabes-Tripoli Basin of western offshore Libya demonstrates the potential of postprocessing seismic data conditioning using a standard industry 3D-seismic data set. The seismic data exhibit distinct reflection discontinuities and configurations interpreted as folds, reverse faults, and crustal- and gravity-driven normal faults. Other reflection discontinuities are interpreted as imaging the external form and internal architecture of buried carbonate platforms. The seismic-reflection interpretation finds that seismic data conditioning by filtering strongly supports the interpretation of the 3D geometry, type, and trend of distinct subsurface reflection features, particularly if used as input for a structural-attribute generation. Postprocessing seismic conditioning initially improved the signal-to-noise ratio by structure-oriented filtering with edge preservation. Application of this filter configuration emphasized subtle geologic features supporting, e.g., the detection of faults close to the limit of the seismic resolution. At the same time, the filtering resulted in a higher lateral continuity of the individual seismic reflectors, supporting the autotracking of the horizons. Structural attributes generated from the conditioned data such as the variance and curvature imaged more subsurface reflection detail when compared with the structural attributes generated from nonconditioned data. The filter-based workflow proposed can be applied in most seismic interpretation software packages and is recommended to be used as a standard procedure preceding a structure-attribute calculation and structural interpretation of the seismic-reflection data of limited quality.