Seismic Velocity Modeling in the Northwest Pearl River Mouth Basin, South China Sea

Abstract

Accurate seismic velocity can determine the depth, dip angle and location of the stratum, and study the properties of rocks and pore fluid, such as rock density, reservoir location, gas hydrate anomaly and deep tectonic characteristics. The South China Sea (SCS) has special tectonic location and complex evolution history, which has always been the focus of geologists and geophysicists. At the same time, the SCS is rich in oil/gas resources, and is one of the four major marine oil-gas accumulation zones in the world. In this paper, three-dimensional velocity modeling was carried out in northwest Pearl River Mouth Basin of the SCS based on the three-dimensional geological framework model. Minimum Curvature Interpolation was used in the three-dimensional velocity modeling. Results showed that the three-dimensional velocity model can visually display sedimentary boundary and basin basement. The geological framework model makes the lateral velocity change of strata more in line with the actual geological structure. Considering the key role of the underground layer velocity in the exploration of oil, gas, hydrate and lower-crustal structure, it will be of great scientific and resources significance to carry out the three-dimensional velocity modeling research in the SCS.