Anisotropic velocity model building using rock physics: Comparison of compaction trends and check‐shot‐derived anisotropy in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Anisotropic velocity models are poorly constrained by surface seismic data. Rock‐physics anisotropic modelling of shale compaction and digenesis provides information that can constrain anisotropic velocity model building. In this study we compare rock‐physics‐based anisotropic velocity models to an extensive data set where 18 Gulf of Mexico (GoM) wells were analyzed using checkshot data. 3D anisotropy estimates derived by interpolation and extrapolation of the checkshot data set are compared to 3D anisotropy estimates derived from rock‐physics modelling. We show that regional anisotropy trends are consistent with compaction driven anisotropy as predicted by the rock‐physics model. We also show that not all anisotropy observed in the region can be explained by compaction model and that check‐shot data carries additional information.