The key word to the OU Basin Analysis Seis Strat MPI (Modeling Processing Interpretation) Laboratory on the 9th
floor of Sarkey’s Energy Center is “Integration”, the integration of geology and geophysics into basin studies around
the world. Dr. John D. Pigott and his group are unapologetically unfocused. They continually and purposefully look at
the” forest rather than the trees”, in the sense of applying a holistic approach to understanding petroleum systems.
Their “play”grounds for research presently span four continents: North America, South America, Africa, and Asia. 

 Seismic Stratigraphic MPI Laboratory

A premier geophysical exploration and development research laboratory focused upon integrated seismic modeling, processing, and interpretation (MPI) of seismic data worldwide. Such integration forms a prerequisite foundation for accurate seismic stratigraphic interpretation and of eventual petroleum system analysis in the Basin Analysis Laboratory.

Continually upgraded computer facilities include a fire-walled 100 MPS+ ethernet assembly of five Sun workstations (dual processor Ultra 80 and Ultra 2's) with terabytes of memory, disk, and tape storage capabilities including standard open reel, exabyte, and the industry standard 10 cartridge IBM 3590 robotic. Numerous color image plotting peripherals exist in addition to the industry standard Versatec 8900 36 inch. 2D seismic data include more than 100 km of industry-acquired multifold marine and land seismic field and stacked records from North America, South America, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. 3D seismic data sets represent contemporary land and marine acquisition from both the United States and South America.

Modeling is conducted using both GX Technology and GeoQuest software with a variety of digital inputs in addition to a 1.5m x 2m Summagraphics digitizer. 2D and 3D AVO modeling and inversion is conducted using our own algorithms as well as Hampson-Russell software. Seismic processing is conducted using a four license installation of Western Omega, the preeminent industry standard for commercial processing of 2D and 3D reflection seismic data. Seismic stratigraphic interpretation uses the complete GeoQuest GeoFrame group of geological, geophysical, and petrophysical software.

Basin Analysis Laboratory

Petroleum system analysis requires the integration of geology, geophysics, petrophysics, geochemistry, and risk analysis. For basin modeling, this workstation and micro-computer laboratory complements the Seismic Stratigraphy MPI Laboratory by taking the output an additional step. For basin analyses, the lab incorporates ProComm's Basin Modeling Toolbox, and Platte River's BasinMod, BasinView, and BasinFlow software. Both 1D and 2D models for tectonic subsidence analyses and for geochemical modeling are performed from either importing seismic line data and/or from generating models from borehole data. Risk analyses are performed using our own fuzzy arithmetic and other dynamic algorithms as wells as Palisade's @Risk.