PESA SA/NT April Luncheon

Joint meeting with ASEG SA-NT

Cooper Basin – seismic processing & where it leads …

Peter Strauss

Abstract:

Processing and interpretation work on the Western Flank of the Cooper Basin indicate that modern land 3D seismic datasets are often not fit-for-purpose when targeting smaller-scale structures. One of the primary objective in this region, the Namur horizon, is typically a strong and easily identifiable seismic event. Exploration success therefore depends less on horizon picking and more on accurately positioning wells on genuine structural highs. However, deeper targets beneath the Namur present greater challenges. In these intervals, seismic events are often discontinuous and geologically inconsistent, making both structural interpretation and imaging problematic.

This talk highlights two key issues:

The structural problem is not new—it was identified in 2D seismic data approximately 30 years ago, where structural “corrections” were applied. These corrections have not been consistently carried through into modern 3D datasets.
Imaging quality in onshore seismic data is being compromised by the application of processing workflows originally developed for marine 3D seismic. These methods are poorly suited to land data, where targets are significantly smaller and geological complexity is higher. Avoiding such approaches can yield sharper, more geologically meaningful seismic images better suited to land exploration.

Event Details:

Thursday, 30th April 2026

Luncheon: 12 pm for a 12:30 pm start

Place: Ayer’s House, 288 North Tce, Adelaide

The luncheon will consist of 2 courses and drinks

Bookings close 5 pm Monday, 27th April 2026

Any late bookings will incur an additional $20 fee. Strictly no walk-ins.