Enhancing Seismic Data Resolution for Alaska's Outer Continental Shelf

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, US Department of the Interior

The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) oversees the nation's natural resources and cultural heritage, supports scientific research, and upholds commitments to indigenous and island communities. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) manages the development of energy and mineral resources on the United States Outer Continental Shelf — a mandate requiring precise subsurface data to ensure fair market valuation of leases.

Decades-Old Seismic Data Insufficient for Modern Lease Valuation

• BOEM needed to enhance the resolution of vintage seismic data to improve subsurface geological interpretations for Alaska's Outer Continental Shelf
• Many areas have yet to be tested by exploration drilling and rely entirely on outdated 2D seismic data collected 20 to 50 years ago
• Unique geological features — thin coal beds, variable seabed composition, complex subsurface deformations — hinder standard seismic imaging approaches
• Strong tidal currents in the Cook Inlet introduce survey geometry errors, while incomplete navigation files further complicate reprocessing

AI-Driven Seismic Reprocessing

Nexus Cognitive applied advanced data science and AI-driven reprocessing techniques to the legacy seismic dataset, correcting for geometric errors, compensating for incomplete navigation data, and enhancing subsurface feature resolution beyond what conventional reprocessing methods could achieve.

The approach was designed specifically to address the unique geological and oceanographic challenges of the Alaskan OCS environment — accounting for tidal interference, variable seafloor composition, and complex deformation structures.

Substantially More Detail Than Legacy Data — Ongoing Collaboration