GEOE 547 HYDROCARBON SEISMOLOGY, Spring 2015
Version: February 2015
MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
1. Course Name: GEOE 547, Hydrocarbon Seismology
2. Course (Catalog) Description: GEOE 547, Hydrocarbon Seismology 3(3-0)
Basics of seismic wave propagation. Seismic reflection acquisition and processing. Principles of
sequence and seismic stratigraphy. Seismic expression of geological structures. Hydrocarbon basin
and trap types. Structural and stratigraphic interpretation. Prospect evaluation exercise involving
structural mapping, prospect identification and risk assessment.
3. Prerequisite(s): None.
4. Textbook(s) and/or Other Required Material: There is no formal text book.
Reference Books:



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Brown, A., R., 1996, Interpretation of three-dimensional seismic data: AAPG Memoir 42, 4th ed.,
424 p.
Emery, D. and Myers, K. J. (eds.), 1996, Sequence Stratigraphy, Oxford: Blackwell Science,
297 p.
Payton, C. E. (ed.), 1977, Seismic Stratigraphy - Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration: AAPG
Memoir 26, 516 p.
Sheriff, R. E. and Geldart, L. P., 1995, Exploration Seismology, Cambridge University Press,
2nd ed., 628 p.
Wilgus, C. K., Hastings, B. S., Posamentier, H., Van Wagoner, J., Ross, C. A., and
Kendall, C. G. St. C., 1988, Sea-Level Changes: An Integrated Approach, SEPM Special
Publication 42, 400 p.
5. Course Objectives:
1)
2)
3)
4)
To understand the basics of the wave theory
To have full grasp of the acquisition and processing of seismic reflection data
To get acquainted with sequence stratigraphic principles
To acquire skills to interpret seismic data to recognize the major geological structural types and
sedimentary settings
5) To be familiarized with the hydrocarbon basin types
6) To be able to map and identify hydrocarbon prospect types
7) To carry out prospect evaluation and risk assessment process
6. Weekly Program
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
Introduction to Petroleum Geology (Recap) (1 week)
Basics of Seismic Wave Propagation (1 week)
Seismic Data Acquisition (1 week)
Seismic Data Processing (1 week)
Sequence Stratigraphy (1 week)
Seismic Stratigraphy (2 weeks)
Seismic Interpretation Procedures (1/2 week)
Seismic Expression of Geological Structures (1.5 weeks)
Types of Sedimentary Basins (2 weeks)
Prospect Evaluation and Risk Assessment (1 week)
GEOE 547 Hydrocarbon Seismology – Outline & Syllabus – Page 1 of 2
GEOE 547 HYDROCARBON SEISMOLOGY, Spring 2015
Version: February 2015
7. Class/Laboratory/Computer/Field Schedule:
1) Paper-based
 Interpretation of several seismic lines using sequence/seismic stratigraphic principles
2) Computer-based (hardware/data-permitting)
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Interpretation of several seismic lines using sequence/seismic stratigraphic principles

Constructing time-structure and depth-structure maps
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Creating attribute maps
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Prospect generation and evaluation
8. Relationship of the Course to Program Objectives:
This course is related to Program Objectives #1, #2, and #3.
9. Grading Policy:
Term Project : 30%
Final Exam : 40%
Attendance : 30%
10. Instructor
Dr. N. Özgür Sipahioğlu
E-mail: siozgur@metu.edu.tr
osipahi@tpao.gov.tr
Phone: (312) 207 22 16
GEOE 547 Hydrocarbon Seismology – Outline & Syllabus – Page 2 of 2