My experience with computer assisted seismic interpretation stretches back to the first systems that came out in the mid-1980’s. These systems have evolved significantly in the last 35 years. What sets PaleoScan apart from them is that it represents the first quantum leap in methodology beyond all of those horizon-centric systems. The vision of the Eliis founders was breathtaking, and now that the software has reached a mature level, that vision has become a reality. The analog I use for the significance of this breakthrough is that of bright spots. Bright spots were always present in the data, but they added enormous value only after creative geoscientists learned the importance of ensuring that the data was both amplitude and AVO compliant. In a similar manner, 3D seismic data contains undiscovered stratigraphic traps by the hundreds, and now geoscientists are learning how to make data stratigraphically (=RGT) and structurally compliant in PaleoScan, in a way analogous to the bright spot revolution. It is not an easy task, and takes patience, creativity, and perseverance. Not to mention and understanding and appreciation of Wheeler Bubbles.
PaleoScan is not the type of tool that interpreters should use as an add-on to more classical interpretation systems. Don’t do that – rather, establish a culture of excellence in PaleoScan workflows. Should this goal become aspirational, you will find that it will become the perfect focal point for a smooth and thorough integration of the many disciplines that combine to make successful exploration, development, production or CCS projects. It is the perfect tool for multi-disciplinary teams.
Steve Tobias - President - NearFX LLC, Houston, TX, USA
I have been part of a student group which participated to the IBA-2021 competition. During the project, we have been given a set of seismic data and well logs that we needed to process in order to identify hydrocarbons prospects and leads. Thanks to PaleoScan and the Eliis Team, we succeeded to fully interpret the studied area. Using the different available tools, we were able to generate many different products such as the relative geological time model and horizon stacks. Using the formerly created Horizon Stack, we mapped several seismic attributes to better visualize the subsurface. Among other applications, we modelled 3D geobodies derived from velocity model. During the competition, we received very positive feedback highlighting the good work we did regarding data processing. All that was possible thanks to the implementation of the software PaleoScan™.
Alexandra Becerra - Geoscientist student & AAPG Imperial Barrel Award participant - EAFIT University of Medellin, Colombia
When interpreting Seismic Data, we usually only focus our effort on a specific interval, but with PaleoScan™ we are capable to enlighten the whole cube at an unprecedented speed and resolution, that is not possible with conventional software.
Nilo Chagas de Azambuja Filho - President - Geostrata Consultoria, Brazil
I use Paleoscan for full exploration assessments, seismic stratigraphy, attribute analysis and prospect maturation.
In my view, PaleoScan’s main strengths is its ability to allow the interpreter to review the whole volume and maximise the value of your dataset. The interactive navigation allows you to interpret a 3D in a 3D sense. The speed at which you can interpret a dataset is also a great asset when you are in an assurance role!
Both the speed and interactiveness of PaleoScan has greatly improved my workflow.
By using the model grid and generating horizon stacks I have cut the time needed to interpret a volume by about 80%.
I would highly recommend Paleoscan to any seismic interpreter, so that they can improve their workflows and maximise what they extract from their datasets.
Alexis Van Lennep - Chief Exploration Geophysicist International- Harbour Energy, London, UK
We have used PaleoScan™ across different basins and we have consistently seen improvement in speed and reliability, specifically in the analysis of exploration and production data for Unconventional reservoirs. PaleoScan™ has proven to be an excellent tool for the delineation of thin reservoirs, included the ones below seismic resolution, in fields with primary and secondary recovery.
Geophysical Manager - Pan American Energy, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Here in Royal Holloway we have had the great opportunity to use PaleoScan under academic licensing since mid 2014. The software has been thoroughly tested and it has been implemented in several MSc and PhD researches. The software resulted to be invaluable in quickly and effectively identifying and analysing structural and stratigraphic features in the subsurface such as, stacking pattern geometries of shallow water channels in the Gulf of Mexico and complex rift fault patterns along the NW Shelf of Australia. Our experience with the software has proved that PaleoScan is a crucial package for modern interpretation of seismic data, and therefore we definitely recommend it to everyone working in evaluating the subsurface through seismic methods. Given the great potential of the software we are also planning to include PaleoScan training in our MSc Petroleum Geoscience teaching programme.
Dr. Nicola Scarselli - Seismic Interpreter- Department of Earth Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, UK
What I really liked about PaleoScan™ was that after a basic training of a morning, you intuitively knew how to use the program. The interface of PaleoScan™ has been developed with user friendliness in the back of the mind, which pays out immediately as it's a pleasure to work with it. The possibility to create horizon stacks and be able to scan through rapidly your seismic package while following the seismic stratigraphy really helps to recognize subtle depositional/structural features that in conventional horizon screening wouldn't come up that nicely and would be much more time consuming. A very strong point of PaleoScan™ is that all the windows are interlinked, so that you always know where in the seismic data you are, in the stratigraphy through well logs and where in the horizonstack. There are many more features I could highlight, but I appreciate the lightweight environment of the software the most.
It reduces time-cycles dramatically. PaleoScan™ is a very powerful screening tool, to quickly have an overview of what can be found in the seismic data. With that initial screening you can go back to your interpretations and adjust the geomodel accordingly . This iterative step is very quick and convenient and provides with more solid than most geomodels of the seismic stratigraphic packages. The horizon stacks helped us to delineate seismic geomorphological features, investigate them and extract them as geobodies in little time.
The user friendliness of the software and it's the lightweight environment are very inviting to new users, and therefore it doesn't take weeks to learn the program, more like a day. But most of all the reduced time-cycles when scanning seismic packages with the horizonstacks is a big step forward.
Florian Smit - Scientific Assistant - Danish Hydrocarbon Research and Technology Centre DTU Lyngby, DANEMARK
I have used PaleoScan as an exploration tool for a number of years and I find it extremely robust and effective. The turnaround time for interpreting a large 3D data set is significantly reduced and the resulting horizons are geological time consistent and show amazing structural and stratigraphic detail. The ability to build a sequence stratigraphic framework for a large 3D seismic dataset in a matter of a few clicks is very powerful. The incredible fast graphic rendering makes Paleoscan very useful to interrogate seismic data and exploit ideas without losing your train of thought. This software package is definitely a value creator for any company so I would strongly recommend giving it a try and you’ll be very positively surprised of what you can achieve in a relatively short time frame. The support offered by Eliis is very personal with fast response time making it an added resource for your project.
Dorte Macrae - Senior Geophysicist - Puravida energy - Melbourne, AUSTRALIA