Advancing Complex Subsalt Imaging Using Elastic FWI and Sparse Ocean-Bottom Node Acquisition

The integration of sparse OBN acquisition with Elastic Full-Waveform Inversion (EFWI) markedly improves subsalt imaging in the Gulf of Mexico. This combined approach offers accurate salt geometry inversion, detailed mapping of sediment truncation to salt feeder zones, enhanced illumination, providing valuable insights for subsalt exploration and development. The Amendment Phase 1 and Phase 2 surveys exemplify how advanced acquisition and processing techniques can overcome challenges posed by complex subsalt geology and significantly reduce project turnaround time.