FUNDAMENTALS OF DEPTH CONVERSION (GEO 139)
COURSE OVERVIEW
Depth Conversion is critically important for all phases of exploration, and for field development, field operation, unitization, and redetermination. It creates the depth surfaces that volume calculations are based on, and through that influences the business decisions that oil companies make, such as to apply or not apply for an exploration license, to drill or not drill exploration wells, and to develop or not develop a discovery.
This 5-day training course gives participants the basic knowledge they need to make good depth conversions. It gives a fundamental understanding of how velocity changes in the subsurface as a function of depth and lithology, and how it is measured in wells and with seismic data. Participants will learn how to use the data for best practice depth conversion, and how to avoid pitfalls and misconceptions. There will be particular focus on the difference between velocity for seismic imaging and the actual velocity of the subsurface, and on pitfalls in statistics, as these are areas where mistakes often are made. The training goal is to provide the participants a fundamental understanding of methods and theory. Managers who participate will learn to ask the correct questions when depth conversions are presented, and to not sign off on inadequate work. Software will be provided to run exercises.
COURSE SCHEDULE
| Code | Date | Location | price (€)* |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEO 139 | 25 - 29 May 2026 | Online | 3300 |
| GEO 139 | 16 - 20 Nov 2026 | Online | 3300 |
| GEO 139 | 3 - 7 Aug 2026 | Stavanger | 4400 |
| GEO 139 | 12 - 16 Oct 2026 | Oslo | 4400 |
COURSE OUTLINE
5 days
Day 1
o Introduction to depth conversion
o Rock physics of velocity
o Layer cake depth conversion
Day 2
o VSP and checkshots
o Velocity log calibration
o Seismic times and well times
o Time model for depth conversion
Day 3
o Seismic processing velocities
o NMO analysis
o Stacking velocity depth conversion
Day 4:
o Field Development process
o Probabilistic depth conversion
o P10-P50-P90 volume uncertainties
Day 5
o 3D velocity cube modelling
o Regional depth conversion
o Geological attributes from velocity
o Frontier basin exploration
INSTRUCTOR
Professor Maria Mutti
Ivar Meisingset is a G&G generalist and depth conversion expert with over 45 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He spent 25 years working for major oil companies, followed by 20 years in the service sector, where he developed leading software and methods for depth conversion. He is an active researcher with numerous publications, primarily within basin modeling. Ivar holds an MSc in Geophysics from NTNU.
Throughout his career, he has worked with several companies, including Esso Norway (1980–1988), Norsk Hydro (1988–2004), Aker Geo / First Geo (2004–2018), and ModelGeo (from April 2018), where he has also served as Chief Operating Officer. Ivar has a broad technical background in petroleum geology and geophysics. Over the past five years, his roles have included line and project management, business development, method and software systems development, and specialist consultancy.
He is best known as a depth conversion expert and as the inventor of regional velocity modeling methods used in the First Geo hiQbe™ system. While many of his contributions have been behind the scenes, his impact on the industry is significant—particularly in exploration (including oil discoveries), field development, and as a negotiator, discipline manager, and project manager in unitisation and redetermination projects.
His latest development is Velocity Inversion, a promising new seismic inversion method particularly suited for broadband data. This forms a core part of the services offered by ModelGeo and remains an active area of ongoing development.
FAQ
DESIGNED FOR
The course is designed for Seismic Interpreters, Geophysicists, Geologists, Geo-modelers, and Managers.
COURSE LEVEL
o Basic to intermediate
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
The participants will learn about:
o How velocity changes in the subsurface as a function of depth and lithology
o Checkshot picking methods and velocity log calibration
o Layer cake depth conversion with velocity functions from well data
o NMO velocity analysis and different types of seismic processing velocities
o Depth conversion with seismic processing velocities
o P10 – P50 – P90 and base case depth and volume uncertainty estimation
o Basin-wide regional depth conversion
o The different business objectives of depth conversion in different types of study, and how to adapt the methods to suit them.
REGISTER
Registration is now OPEN!
Ph.D. students, group and early bird registrants are eligible to DISCOUNT!
For more details and registration please send email to: register@petro-teach.com
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