Interpretation of geophysical data using structural principles to build geological models

Jenny Ellis and Norman Armstrong present new tools for 3D kinematic modelling that address the challenges with geological interpretation of geophysical data, and have the added benefit of revealing the timing of geological events important for understanding the petroleum system. Geophysical and geological interpretation typically forms the foundation for the construction of geological models in the petroleum industry. It is unusual to be able to interpret these datasets with one definitive model (Figure 1). Multiple interpretations are often possible from the same dataset, as the data is a representation or subsample of reality. Economic decisions in the exploration and drilling of conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources are based on the geological model constructed from data subsamples. It is therefore essential that the geoscientist carrying out the interpretation is critical and open minded in order to understand and address uncertainty with the modelled interpretation.