Sinopec launches 9,436 km² 3D continuous seismic processing project

Project scale and objective

The Petroleum Exploration and Development Research Institute has begun implementation of a 'Western Sichuan Large Continuous Seismic Data Processing and Interpretation' project covering 9,436 square kilometres, described as Sinopec’s largest 3D continuous seismic processing and interpretation programme to date. The work is targeted to support exploration breakthroughs under the '15th Five-Year Plan' and to increase reserves and production in the Sichuan Basin.

Organisational and technical approach

The institute formed a joint geological and geophysical research team and worked repeatedly with the Southwest Oil and Gas Branch to develop special technical plans for continuous imaging, structural interpretation and reservoir prediction. The team broke the traditional research model by integrating geology, geophysics and logging to enable front–back linkage and multidisciplinary collaboration.

Field deployment and data work

A front-line support team is stationed on site to carry out comprehensive interpretation, target optimisation and well-location deployment, synchronising data in real time and dynamically optimising plans to support exploration and development. A rear research team is addressing technical challenges by conducting continuous processing on 39 blocks of 3D data spanning more than 30 years to establish a solid data foundation.