Postgraduate Course: Seismic Reflection Interpretation (PGGE11144)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | The course introduces the seismic reflection method, including land and marine data acquisition and processing, with emphasis on the geological interpretation of seismic reflection data. The following topics are covered: the role of the seismic reflection method in exploration; seismic velocities; seismic data acquisition; the seismic wavelet; seismic data processing; structural Interpretation; stratigraphic interpretation; seismic-to-well tie; the seismic report.
Practical exercises include the interpretation of a seismic reflection dataset using Petrel interpretation software.
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| Course description |
Week 1
Lecture 1 Introduction: the role of the seismic reflection method in exploration; echoes, sound propagation, the seismic reflection method and its applications, normal-incidence reflection and the seismic profile.
Practical: Practical seismic interpretation with Petrel.
Week 2
Lecture 2 Seismic velocities: P-waves and S-waves; solids and fluids; reflection coefficient; acoustic impedance; primaries and multiples; thin layers.
Practical: Practical seismic interpretation with Petrel.
Week 3
Lecture 3 Seismic Data Acquisition: land and marine sources; land and marine receivers; 2D and 3D acquisition.
Practical: Practical seismic interpretation with Petrel.
Week 4
Lecture 4 The seismic wavelet: frequency bandwidth; the seismic source signature; the zero-phase wavelet; time resolution, depth resolution, thin beds and the pinch-out, or wedge.
Practical: Practical seismic interpretation with Petrel.
Week 5
Lecture 5 Seismic data processing: data gathers signature deconvolution; near-surface effects and static corrections; common mid-point, normal moveout and stack; suppressing multiples and deconvolution; conversion from time to space and migration.
Practical: Practical seismic interpretation with Petrel.
Week 6
Lecture 6 Structural Interpretation: faults, folds, unconformities, diapirism and salt tectonics.
Practical: Practical seismic interpretation with Petrel.
Week 7
Lecture 7 Stratigraphic interpretation: hydrocarbon traps, evidence of pinch-outs, reefs and channels; seismic facies analysis.
Practical: Practical seismic interpretation with Petrel.
Week 8
Lecture 8 Seismic-to-well tie: sonic log; density log; check shots; reflection coefficient series; synthetic seismogram; vertical seismic profile.
Practical: Practical seismic interpretation with Petrel.
Week 9
Lecture 9 The seismic report; introduction to the assessment.
Practical: Practical seismic interpretation with Petrel.
Week 10
Revision lecture. Questions and answers
Practical: Seismic interpretation with Petrel.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2025/26, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 24 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 24,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
74 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
The course assessment (100%) is a report of no more than 4,000 words in total (including figure captions and references) written about the interpretation of seismic profiles in the North Sea.
AI Assisted Editing: AI tools may be used for identifying ideas, planning, and improving the clarity of your writing, but not for content generation. AI use must be acknowledged in your submission. |
| Feedback |
Every week the lecturer and demonstrator will be available to answer questions on the interpretation. The lecturer will be available to answer questions on what is expected in the report. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand the basic principles of the seismic reflection method
- Understand the relationship between time and depth and the effect of dip
- Understand the importance of well ties and knowing the seismic wavelet
- Carry out a geological interpretation of a seismic section and make maps of seismic horizons
- Write a seismic report
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Reading List
Suggested reading
McQuillin, R. M., Bacon, M., and Barclay, W. An Introduction to Seismic Interpretation.
W. Graham & Trotman, 1984 - 287 pages. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Prof Anton Ziolkowski
Tel: (0131 6)50 8511
Email: anton.ziolkowski@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Sarah Jones
Tel:
Email: sarah.jones@ed.ac.uk |
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