3D seismic data processing using cloud computing

Abstract

In recent years, high-performance computing has played a significant role in the analysis for various kinds of big data. It also has been crucial for the data analysis and processing in upstream oil industry, especially seismic data processing, because huge computational resources are required to apply high-end algorithms, such as full waveform inversion and least-squares reverse time migration, to large-scale 3D seismic data. However, high investment and advanced expertise are indispensable for constructing and maintaining such computational environment. Cloud computing is a highly potential tool to address these challenges and realize seismic processing for large-scale 3D data. In this report, we show the case studies for 3D seismic data processing by using a cloud computing service with a seismic processing software, and then discuss the validity and issue of this approach.