Short Course 6 Seismic Data Processing for Offshore Wind Farm Development
Friday
12 June 2026
Time
9:00 am - 16:30 pm
CPD Points
5
Instructor
Shaji Mathew
RGS
Overview
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 Objectives
Upon completion of the course, the participants will be able to:
- Clearly understand the objectives and applications of seismic imaging within the offshore wind industry.
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the objectives, methodologies, and practical challenges involved in re-purposing legacy seismic data.
- Understand the key differences between conventional seismic and Ultra-High Resolution Seismic (UHRS) techniques in both 2D and 3D contexts, specifically focusing on data acquisition strategies, processing methodologies, operational objectives, benefits, and limitations.
- Gain insights into potential future developments and emerging trends in seismic imaging for offshore renewable energy projects.
Course Outline
Morning Session
Section 1: Introduction to Seismic Processing in Offshore Wind Industry
1. Introduction and Course Objectives
2. Overview of Offshore Wind Industry (Fixed-bottom & Floating)
3. Objectives of Seismic Processing in Offshore Wind
4. Geological and Geotechnical Considerations
5. Role of Seismic Imaging in Risk Assessment and Site Characterization
Section 2: Repurposing Legacy Seismic Data
6. Why Repurpose Legacy Data? Economic and Technical Benefits
7. Selection Criteria for Legacy Seismic Datasets
8. High-Resolution Focussed Legacy Repurposing: Workflow and Examples
9. Case Study: Successes and Challenges in Data Repurposing
10. Interactive Discussion: Practical Considerations and Limitations
11. Q&A and Recap on Legacy Data
Afternoon Session
Section 3: Ultra-High Resolution Seismic (UHRS) Processing
12. Introduction to UHRS Data: Objectives and Industry Relevance
13. UHRS Acquisition: Comparison to Conventional Methods
14. Processing Workflow and Key Differences
15. Case Examples: Benefits and Challenges of Short-offset UHRS Data
16. Q&A and Recap
Section 4: Emerging Trends & Future Opportunities
17. Introduction to Machine Learning Seismic Processing
18. Current Applications and Emerging Trends in ML
19. Advantages of Integrating ML in Offshore Wind Seismic Analysis
20. Challenges and Future Development Opportunities
Course Wrap-Up and Summary
21. Final Interactive Discussion and Feedback Session
22. Course Summary and Closing Remarks
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.
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 08:00 | Departure from conference center Messe Wien |
| 09:00 – 09:20 | Safety introduction ITC |
| 09:20 – 10:50 | ITC / TECH Center & Lab |
| 10:50 – 11:00 | Group exchange |
| 11:00 – 12:30 | ITC / TECH Center & Lab |
| 12:30 – 13:30 | Lunch at the ITC event area |
| 14:30 | Arrival back at conference center Messe Wien |