Improve Imaging of Pre-Messinian Targets Through FWI and RTM in the East Mediterranean Region, Case Study

ABSTRACT The Eastern Mediterranean region has substantial hydrocarbon potential, marked by proven Jurassic/Cretaceous oil and gas reserves, Pliocene Nile-sourced sandstones, and the potential for Pre-Messinian carbonate buildups analogues to the Zohr discovery. Even though, the thickness of the post-Messinian section is generally limited in the Eastern Mediterranean region but the presence of the Messinian heterogenous evaporites introduce significant velocity contrasts in the overburden, which needs to be addressed to improve the image of the Pre-Messinian targets. Accurate imaging of the Pre-Messinian targets faces several challenges, including correctly illuminating the sub-salt section and understanding of the interaction between clastic sediments and Messinian evaporites. This involves capturing the necessary velocity details of the heterogeneity within the Messinian evaporites and addressing illumination issues arising from the complex relief of the Messinian layer, including optimizing acquisition parameters (Kumar et al., 2022). Optimizing the depth velocity model building process necessitates the application of advanced imaging technologies such as Full Waveform Inversion (FWI) and Reverse Time Migration (RTM) (Brandsberg-Dahl et al., 2017). This paper proposes solutions for diverse overburden challenges to enhance the Pre-Messinian image. The results from this work demonstrate that the suggested VMB workflows including the application of FWI and RTM have been successful in capturing the majority of Post-Messinian and Messinian complexities, thereby improving the image of the Pre-Messinian target. We present data examples from recent seismic surveys in the Eastern Mediterranean to demonstrate these novel solutions. Along with improved subsurface imaging, these recent seismic data could provide the interpreters with necessary input for a better understanding of potential high-quality reservoir facies.