The Virtual Seismic Atlas Project
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Aberdeen
Department Name: Sch of Geosciences
Abstract
The Virtual Seismic Atlas (VSA) Project will generate an independent, free-to-use, community-based internet resource, which will capture and share the geological interpretation of seismic reflection data in picture and workbook format. Seismic data are expensive to acquire and process, yet give key insights into geological structure and processes. They have revolutionized understanding of Earth surface processes, structural geology, submarine hazards, and shallow crustal processes such as basin fluid migration. They can be used to track hydrocarbons during production and CO2 during subsurface sequestration. Seismic data are a core geoscience resource. Their interpretation, however, needs substantial experience. The skills and knowledge gained in the interpretation of seismic data and the advances in data processing that permit modern studies are dispersed through industry, universities, and government organisations (e.g. British Geological Survey). The aim of this project is to draw these communities together, capturing examples of the geological use of seismic data, and creating a comprehensive common heritage from which to launch future developments in research and training. VSA data, including seismic data and their derivatives, will be searchable and downloadable. Users will be able to search for seismic images, interpretations, data samples and related documents using various geological, geophysical, geographical and technical criteria. The VSA will therefore provide a platform for the community to find seismic examples and analogues, and to compare interpretation strategies and experience. It will generate new research opportunities and will provide an image library for public understanding of science activities. The VSA will be built on the industry-leading getknowledge data management/ knowledge transfer software, developed by BHP-Billiton and Blue Fish Development. Capacity will exceed 10 million documents and will allow 500 synchronous users. The preliminary content of the VSA is being developed with Veritas DGC and BGS who will provide sample 3D and 2D data from diverse settings (including UKCS). In addition, the project will incorporate relevant copyright material from the Geological Society of London. These initial collections are designed to promote other data/interpretation owners to add their material to the site as it grows. Community support is further indicated by the guiding involvement of our patrons, the senior petroleum geologists David G. Roberts and Richard Hardman, and of the Petroleum Exploration Society of Great Britain. Our project partners (Veritas DGC and BHP-Billiton with Blue Fish) are providing in-kind resources worth several million pounds. We request that NERC support the additional development costs of the VSA, namely: 1) a PDRA to engage in geological/interpretation of seismic data, building content and leading new research into geological uncertainty in seismic interpretation, and; 2) travel/subsistence costs for visits to data providers (Veritas, BGS) and 3) computer hardware plus VSA web server installation and support in Leeds. Beyond the VSA website, Knowledge Transfer objectives will be met in several ways: the PDRA will act as act as KT facilitator; personnel will be exchanged for short periods (BHP-B staff will come to Leeds to work on web design and Leeds staff will work with industry geophysicists in seismic data libraries); representatives of the different communities of academic, public sector and industry geoscientists will meet through the project management structure. The legacy will be a self-maintaining digital resource to serve a broad range of user communities in the oil industry, the associated science base and beyond.
Organisations
Publications
Case Fiona
(2007)
Slip slidin' away
in CHEMISTRY WORLD
Butler, R
(2009)
Digitally remastered
in Geoscientist
Vinnels J
(2010)
Depositional processes across the Sinú Accretionary Prism, offshore Colombia
in Marine and Petroleum Geology
Butler, R
(2010)
Frontiers of seismic geomorphology
in Geoscientist
Torvela T
(2011)
Do experts use idealised structural models? Insights from a deepwater fold-thrust belt
in Journal of Structural Geology
Iacopini D
(2011)
Imaging deformation in submarine thrust belts using seismic attributes
in Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Iacopini D.
(2012)
Seismic imaging of thrust faults and structural damage: A visualization workflow for deepwater thrust belts
in First Break
Torvela T
(2013)
The mode of deformation in the orogenic mid-crust revealed by seismic attribute analysis
in Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems
Pace P
(2015)
Inversion structures in a foreland domain: Seismic examples from the Italian Adriatic Sea
in Interpretation
Description | Seismic data, collected principally by companies seeking and exploiting oil and gas in the subsurface, are the principal source of knowledge of the outer part of our planet. The Virtual Seismic Atlas is a knowledge exchange vehicle that shares the geological interpretation of seismic data. The project designed and, with partners (Blue Fish, Endeca), has delivered a content management, database and image-retrival system together with uploading capabability, and has now populated this with >1000 images from around the world. Images include outputs from publically-funded research together with hitherto inaccessible seismic images owned by companies. Content management and data-retrival systems are designed to maximise serendipitous discovery of images hitherto unknown to the searcher, creating a novel environment for finding geological analogues. The data and images continue to generate new research papers and support graduate research (including NERC CASE PhDs). Future content will in part be driven by republication agreements with key earth science publishing houses (SEPM, EAGE, Geological Society of London) so that the VSA can become a hub for subsurface know-how and geological interpretation. |
Exploitation Route | VSA content is accessed by 10sK individuals each month, with users equally split between academic and business IPs. Images are widely used for training - by oil companies in-house and by independent professional training companies (e.g. Nautilus). Images are used extyensively by new-hires to find analogue geological nstructures and to link to published literature,. They are also used for product deisn, for example, structural restoration software (by Midland Valley Ltd) and for marketting existing software solutions (e.g. ffA). The VSA is delivered through a bespoke website, hosted in the School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds. Access to images is free and open, without passwords. Use of images for training and research is acceptable, subject to acknowledgement. |
Sectors | Energy Environment |
URL | http://www.seismicatlas.org |
Description | Extensive use of this KE product (the VSA) by industry, media and education/research organisations globally. It is used extensively by Oil and Gas training companies. |
First Year Of Impact | 2008 |
Sector | Energy,Environment |
Impact Types | Economic |
Title | Contrasting multiple interpretations |
Description | Online "faceted search" tool designed and built exclusively for the VSA - which allows speedy juxtaposition of competing interpretations and for geophysical data to be identified and viewed on the basis of the geology the data are interpreted to be showing. This is a critical advance for locating subsurface analogues |
Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
Year Produced | 2008 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This is a critical advance for locating subsurface analogues and for providing training examples both within industry, the training sector and academia. |
URL | http://www.seismicatlas.org |
Title | Content on the VSA |
Description | A linked set of seismic images and their geological interpretation - dynamically evolving as the community add to it. |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2008 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | One of the most used resources for teaching and training in seismic images - with thousands of users within industry and academia throughout the world. |
URL | http://www.seismicatlas.org |
Title | VSA |
Description | A linked database and search solution wrapped in a novel web application. The VSA 1.0 was developed by integrating Documentum with Endeca's (then) state-of-the-art search protocols (Guided Navigation) that brings the capabilities of online retail search environments to the challenge of accessing seismic data and interpretations. This went live in 2008. In 2014 we recommissioned and launched VSA 2.0 - using open source components. In both cases the VSA has been build in collaboration with our partners Blue Fish (in Austin, Texas). |
Type Of Technology | Webtool/Application |
Year Produced | 2008 |
Impact | a unique fully accessible online resource for the World to share expertise in seismic imaging technology and the interpretation of these images. 6+ seismic acquisition companies are using the VSA to promote parts of their multi-client datasets. 3-4 oil and gas expert consultancies are using the VSA to promote their services. >50 academic researchers are sharing their expertise in seismic interpretation. |
URL | http://www.seismicatlas.org |
Description | Americam Geophysical Union Fall meeting |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | exhibition booth. This event, the World's largest gathering of Earth Scientists each year (c 16000 delegates from all corners of the planet) provided an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the VSA, particularly among international academic community. Exhibition to reach greatest concentration of geophysicists at the premier academic conference each year. In San Francisco. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
Description | Exhibitions at AAPG |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | VSA exhibition spaces at geophysical and oil and gas conferences. We have exhibited at AAPG Annual Meeting in New Orleans and San Antonio (each with >6000 attendees - and we distributed >1000 pieces of material from our booths). and at PETEX in London( c 2000 delegates). As this is a Knowledge Exchange project, these engagements have been key in raising awareness of the VSA. Premier gathering of geoscientists in the oil and gas sector. Exhibitiion to promote VSA, especially use of the resources. Held in New Orleans. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |