3D VSP in the Deep Water Gulf of Mexico Fills in Sub-Salt ‘Shadow Zone’

Abstract

C001 3D VSP in the deep water Gulf of Mexico fills in sub-salt ‘shadow zone’ Summary 1 In BP’s Mad Dog field in the deep water Gulf of Mexico we acquired two large 3D VSP surveys for the purpose of filling in blind spots in the surface seismic volume. The surveys were large requiring a greater than 9 km radius spiral for the surface shot geometry and more than 8 days survey time. A major innovation that kept costs down substantially was a completely rig-less or off-line acquisition in the target well while the rig drilled a new well through