Concetric circle 3D: optimization of salt diapir flank imaging, UK Central North Sea

Optimal imaging of reflection energy in steep dip structural environments requires that the data be acquired and processed in such a way that the primary reflections are stacked constructively, as well as correctly migrated. In certain structural situations special acquisition geometries can be employed which substantially contribute to the overall goal of enhanced imaging of the subsurface. In 1992 the first concentric circle 3D seismic survey was shot in the North Sea. The objective of the survey was to accurately image the flanks and the top of a salt diapir. The final processed dataset was compared to data acquired using 2D radial and conventional linear 3D survey techniques. The results indicate that the concentric circle 3D dataset appears to contain more information adjacent to the diapir flanks than either the 2D radial or conventionallinear 3D datasets.