Advanced Seismic Interpretation In Renewable Energy Projects Using 3D Exploration And (Ultra) High Resolution Seismic Data

Summary Although there is a clear distinction between renewable and non-renewable energy, the boundaries are not so sharp when it comes to the sub-surface challenges geoscientists must solve, and the techniques they can apply to do so. The tasks during the different phases of renewable projects include the interpretation and integration of the available data, the identification of geological geometries and features, building earth models populated with the appropriate physical properties, highlighting risks, and providing monitoring during the project’s life cycle. In most cases, seismic data is an essential tool for imaging the subsurface, though the resolution requirements and thus acquisition and processing parameters vary. Established and new seismic interpretation workflows and data visualisation techniques can help identify shallow geohazards and improve the accuracy of geotechnical models of the near surface. Although exploration type seismic data can be used for analysing the shallow sub-seabed strata, 3D high and ultra-high-resolution data offer significantly more detail and are required for a thorough site characterisation. The time pressure of the Net Zero Initiative requires an immediate transfer and deployment of established and brand-new seismic interpretation techniques which, so far, have not been used widely in the shallow sub-seabed and near surface engineering projects.