Comparison of Seafloor and Shallow Stratigraphic Conditions Mapped From 3D Seismic and AUV Data at Two Deepwater Areas, Keathley Canyon, Gulf of Mexico

作者：Craig Scherschel, J. Allan Thomson · 发表于：Offshore Technology Conference · 年份：2013 · DOI：10.4043/23991-ms · 被引用次数：1 · 研究领域：Underwater Acoustics Research、Maritime and Coastal Archaeology、Geological Modeling and Analysis

Abstract This paper presents results of an integrated interpretation effort to understand seafloor and shallow stratigraphic conditions at drill sites within two prospective areas in a deepwater portion of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Datasets of different resolution were utilized, including AUV multibeam echo sounder data. These highest resolution AUV data were collected early in the life of the two projects to assess seafloor conditions. In one instance, the AUV data were acquired to comply with newly issued governmental regulations for archaeological clearance studies. As an added benefit, the required AUV data also provided a clear view of potential seafloor geological constraints giving BP and co-owners early insight into factors such as chemosynthetic community indicators, seafloor expulsion features and hardgrounds. These insights will be used and further developed throughout the life of the projects, affecting work not only during early exploration, but also in an exploration success case, through appraisal, development and into production phases as a baseline survey. The primary purpose of this case study was to learn how geophysical data collected at different resolutions during subsequent project phases could be leveraged to efficiently discern potential constraints to operations resulting from geological processes affecting seabed and near-surface stratigraphy. Additional insight came from a comparison of geological conditions at the two sites. These conditions we...