Michael C Jacobi

55555314, Sep 10, 1996

Dec 19, 1994

8/358429

James R. Booth - New Orleans LA
Michael C. Jacobi - New Orleans LA
Arlette C. Nunez - St. Bernard LA
Jonathan S. Smith - LaPlace LA
Peter R. Tauvers - New Orleans LA
Earl H. Doyle - Sugar Land TX
Fredric A. Diegel - Bellaire TX
Thomas M. Kratochvil - Metaire LA
Brenda G. Gaudin - New Orleans LA

Shell Oil Company - Houston TX

G01V 128

367 15

A method is disclosed to identify existence of near-surface drilling hazards in the vicinity of a sea floor location comprising the steps of: obtaining 3D seismic data for the seafloor in the vicinity of the sea floor location; preparing high resolution 3D vertical profiles from the 3D seismic data; preparing an artificially-illuminated rendered surface based on the 3D seismic data; and identifying existence of near-surface hazards in the vicinity of the sea floor location by visual analysis of the rendered surface with reference to the high resolution 3D vertical profiles. Deep tow and geohazard surveys, which are expensive and time consuming are not required in the practice of the present invention. 3D seismic surveys that are used in the practice of the present invention have often been prepared for other purposes.