A Workflow and Case Study for Adaptive Geobody Imaging in the Nile Delta

We present a workflow and case study for adaptive geobody definition, implemented using a combination of automated and interactive toolkits, that can provide a more detailed model of the complex Messinian geobodies and enhanced imaging of the sub-Messinian structures in the offshore Nile Delta. Conventional tomography updates alone cannot introduce the small-scale, high-contrast velocity features. Adding constant-velocity geobodies provides a better model but is still sensitive to base-Messinian interpretation accuracy and cannot represent intra-Messinian velocity variations. Adaptive geobody definition using geologically constrained Common Image Point (CIP) tomography introduces velocity variations within the Messinian whilst simultaneously adjusting the thickness of the layers. The result is flatter, better-imaged gathers, coupled with a more geologically plausible velocity model. This is an evolving workflow, and points towards the incorporation of other advanced imaging processes such as wavefield extrapolation techniques and quantified seismic uncertainty analysis.