Abstract

The present paper outlines the various technological innovations in both seismic acquisition and processing that have been adopted to overcome the challenges in sub-basalt imaging of western offshore India, particularly the Mesozoic exploration. The study summarizes the hierarchical approaches to meet the exploration objectives in this complex volcanic realm where the expectation of hydrocarbon prospects has been a massive discussion over the desk of geoscientists. The technical approach and technological innovation for sub-basalt (Mesozoic) exploration in this type of complex regime may be outlined as below. 1. Conventional streamer (old) data with conventional processing technology (old) 2. Conventional streamer (old) data with new processing technology 3. Broadband acquisition (new) data with new processing technology A decade back the exploration objectives were restricted to the tertiary part of the volcanic basins. A Then the conventional streamer (source depth of ~5m and flat streamer depth of ~7 m) data was processed with the available processing technology able to bring the tertiary features leading to multiple discoveries. However, the processing technology adopted was inadequate to image the Mesozoic below basalt. The gradual technological innovations and advancements in acquisition and pre-migration processing techniques such as deghosting, demultiple velocity model building such as full waveform inversion (FWI) and imaging method like reverse time migration have resolved the issues to large extent.The present study indicating the implementation of new innovative technology for the improvement in sub-basalt imaging and opens up further Mesozoic exploration in Kutch-Saurashtra basin of Western Offshore part of India.