Rock physics and depositional history from seismic matching - A model study

In this study, we apply advanced numerical optimisation techniques to extend the work of Imhof and Sharma (2005, 2006) to integrate geological and geophysical data and infer the sedimentary parameters that produce a match to seismic data. In particular, we seek to match not just event timing (phase) but also reflection strength (amplitude). This inverse problem of quantitatively matching present-day measurements of structure, stratigraphy, petrology, and/or fluids is inherently ill-posed and computationally difficult. In our approach, we automatically adjust parameters, which control numerical forward models, such as numerical basin models, petrophysical models, and seismic acoustic models, to match observed seismic data and observed stratigraphy.