Seismic Data Processing for Offshore Wind Farm Development: From Legacy Repurposing to Ultra-High Resolution

Course Description

This course provides a comprehensive overview of transferable seismic data processing skills, specifically aimed at professionals transitioning from the Oil and Gas sector to the Offshore Wind industry. As the global energy sector increasingly shifts toward renewable sources, professionals equipped with experience in seismic processing can leverage their expertise to support the rapid growth and technical demands of offshore wind farm developments, including both fixed-bottom and floating structures. 

Participants will gain a clear understanding of seismic imaging objectives in the offshore wind industry. The course begins by introducing seismic imaging principles specific to offshore wind projects, detailing how these methods contribute to accurate site characterization, risk assessment, and safe installation of wind turbine infrastructure. A particular emphasis is placed on understanding geological and geotechnical conditions critical for the successful deployment of offshore wind farms. 

The course subsequently focuses on the opportunities and methodologies associated with re-purposing legacy seismic data. It provides an in-depth exploration of the rationale behind legacy data utilization, highlighting the economic and technical advantages of leveraging existing datasets. Key topics include criteria for selecting appropriate legacy data, advanced high-resolution seismic processing techniques, and specialized workflows designed to optimize older seismic datasets. Participants will explore real-world case studies, discussing practical challenges, significant benefits, and the inherent limitations of legacy data repurposing. This module is designed to equip attendees with the skills necessary to efficiently evaluate and enhance historical seismic datasets for application in offshore wind site investigations. 

Further, participants will delve into Ultra-High Resolution Seismic (UHRS) data processing, a critical element in modern offshore wind site assessments. This segment covers UHRS acquisition and processing strategies in detail, contrasting these approaches with conventional seismic methods commonly utilized within the Oil and Gas sector. Participants will develop a clear understanding of the distinct acquisition parameters, data quality considerations, and resolution capabilities associated with UHRS surveys. The course will also critically examine the inherent challenges, technical benefits, and practical limitations encountered when utilizing short-offset UHRS data for detailed subsurface characterization. 

Finally, the course concludes by exploring emerging opportunities in the integration of machine learning (ML) technologies and advanced seismic technologies such as passive seismic monitoring, 4D seismic for offshore wind industry. Participants will gain insights into current developments, potential future applications, and strategic advantages of adopting ML solutions for improved efficiency, accuracy, and predictive capability within offshore wind seismic interpretation and analysis. 

By the end of this course, attendees will have acquired targeted knowledge and practical insights, enabling them to effectively adapt their Oil and Gas seismic processing experience to fulfill the growing demand for specialized expertise in the offshore wind industry.

Course Outline

Morning Session (2.5 hours)

Section 1: Introduction to Seismic Processing in Offshore Wind Industry  (1 hour)

1. Introduction and Course Objectives (10 min)

2. Overview of Offshore Wind Industry (Fixed-bottom & Floating) (10 min)

3. Objectives of Seismic Processing in Offshore Wind (15 min)

4. Geological and Geotechnical Considerations (15 min)

5. Role of Seismic Imaging in Risk Assessment and Site Characterization (10 min)

Section 2: Repurposing Legacy Seismic Data (1.5 hours)

6. Why Repurpose Legacy Data? Economic and Technical Benefits (15 min)

7. Selection Criteria for Legacy Seismic Datasets (15 min)

8. High-Resolution Focussed Legacy Repurposing: Workflow and Examples (20 min)

9. Case Study: Successes and Challenges in Data Repurposing (20 min)

10. Interactive Discussion: Practical Considerations and Limitations (10 min)

11. Q&A and Recap on Legacy Data (10 min)

Afternoon Session (2.5 hours)

Section 3: Ultra-High Resolution Seismic (UHRS) Processing (1.5 hour)

12. Introduction to UHRS Data: Objectives and Industry Relevance (15 min)

13. UHRS Acquisition: Comparison to Conventional Methods (15 min)

14. Processing Workflow and Key Differences (30 min)

15. Case Examples: Benefits and Challenges of Short-offset UHRS Data (20 min)

16. Q&A and Recap (10 min)

Section 4: Emerging Trends & Future Opportunities (1 hours)

17. Introduction to Machine Learning Seismic Processing (15 min)

18. Current Applications and Emerging Trends in ML (15 min)

19. Advantages of Integrating ML in Offshore Wind Seismic Analysis (10 min)

20. Challenges and Future Development Opportunities (10 min) 

Course Wrap-Up and Summary (10 mins)

21. Final Interactive Discussion and Feedback Session (5 min)

22. Course Summary and Closing Remarks (5 min)

Participants’ Profile

The course is designed for individuals interested in understanding the objectives, methods, and advancements in seismic processing for offshore wind farm development, as well as for professionals seeking to transition from the oil and gas sector to the offshore wind industry.

Prerequisites

A basic to intermediate understanding of seismic data processing would be beneficial. While prior knowledge of offshore wind farm development may be helpful, it is not required.

About the Instructor

Shaji Mathew holds an MSc (Tech) in Marine Geophysics from Cochin University of Science and Technology in India. His Master's thesis involved a geophysical study of the Carlsberg and Central Indian Ridge as part of the InRidge program. After graduation, Shaji began his career as a geophysicist at Fugro, engaging in extensive site investigations and geotechnical projects for offshore installations. He subsequently moved to CGG Marine, taking on the role of onboard processing geophysicist and working on several pivotal 3D and 4D seismic acquisition projects. Shaji later transitioned to CGG UK, where he contributed to numerous advanced 3D time, depth, and 4D imaging projects over a significant 17-year tenure.

After his PhD in Applied Geophysics from Heriot-Watt University in 2022, Shaji worked as a Renewable Energy Consultant at Wood Plc for two years. During his tenure, he focussed on site assessments for multiple new wind farm projects and performed power performance testing on several operational wind farms in Europe. Currently, he serves as the Director of RGS, a company that specializes in geoscience services for the offshore wind industry. Under his leadership, RGS has expanded its projects across Europe and Australia.

Shaji has been recognized with several prestigious awards throughout his career, including the CSIR-UGC JRF Net in 2003, EPSRC ICase Fellowship 2017 to 2023, Ian Jack SEG Award in 2019, and the Prof. Felix Chung Sustainability Award in 2024.