Velocity models for processing seismic data based on basin modeling

A computer system for developing a velocity model for processing a seismic dataset, the computer system comprising:

• memory;
• one or more processors;
• and
• one or more program modules stored in the memory, wherein the program modules, when executed by the processors, are configured to cause the processors to perform the following operations:
• interpreting initial geological structures from the seismic dataset;
• building an initial basin model from the initial geological structures and rock properties derived from at least one of laboratory measurements, petrophysical properties, and mechanical earth models;
• validating the initial basin model using calibration data;
• determining pore pressure and effective stress from the validated initial basin model based on horizontal permeability and vertical permeability;
• transforming the effective stress into a basin model-based velocity model with one or more transform functions based on petrophysics;
• generating a seismic tomographic velocity model from the seismic data using seismic tomography;
• building a hybrid velocity model including a plurality of regions by selecting velocities from the basin model-based velocity model or from the seismic tomographic velocity model in each region;
• and
• using the hybrid velocity model for processing the seismic dataset to produce a high-quality seismic image to reduce oil and gas exploration risk and minimize drilling dry holes.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium, storing one or more programs for execution by one or more processors of a computer system for developing a velocity model for processing a seismic dataset, the one or more programs including instructions for performing the following operations:

• interpreting initial geological structures from the seismic dataset;
• building an initial basin model from the initial geological structures and rock properties derived from at least one of laboratory measurements, petrophysical properties, and mechanical earth models;
• validating the initial basin model using calibration data;
• determining pore pressure and effective stress from the validated initial basin model based on horizontal permeability and vertical permeability;
• transforming the effective stress into a basin model-based velocity model with one or more transform functions based on petrophysics;
• generating a seismic tomographic velocity model from the seismic data using seismic tomography;
• building a hybrid velocity model including a plurality of regions by selecting velocities from the basin model-based velocity model or from the seismic tomographic velocity model in each region;
• and
• using the hybrid velocity model for processing the seismic dataset to produce a high-quality seismic image to reduce oil and gas exploration risk and minimize drilling dry holes.