Blueback Rocks Velocity

Efficient and versatile velocity modeling.

Blueback velocity models you can trust

Velocity modelling is one of the greatest sources of uncertainty in subsurface interpretation.. Even small velocity errors can translate into significant depth uncertainty, directly impacting structural interpretation, volumetric estimates and drilling decisions.

Blueback Rocks Velocity provides a complete, transparent workflow for building, validating and optimising geological velocity models from well and seismic data. Fully integrated within Petrel, it empowers interpreters complete control over every stage of the modelling process—from initial data preparation to uncertainty analysis and final depth conversion.

Why choose Blueback Rocks Velocity?

Unlike traditional velocity modelling tools that often rely on opaque processing steps, Blueback Rocks Velocity combines geological expertise, interactive visualisation and advanced statistical analysis within a single transparent workflow.

With Blueback Rocks Velocity, you can:

Build robust multi-layer velocity models from well and seismic data
Interactively analyse and calibrate interval velocities
Remove regional trends while preserving geological variations
Optimise velocity models to honour well markers
Validate model robustness through cross-validation
Quantify uncertainty using stochastic simulations
Generate reliable velocity cubes for accurate depth conversion

From data preparation through validation and uncertainty analysis, Blueback Rocks Velocity provides a complete end-to-end workflow for velocity modelling and depth conversion.

End-to-End Velocity Modelling Workflow

Blueback Rocks Velocity guides interpreters through every stage of the velocity modelling process—from importing raw velocity information to generating validated velocity models and reliable depth conversion products.

Import and prepare velocity data

Bring together all available velocity information within a single project.

Supported inputs include:

Checkshots
VSP surveys
Time-depth relationships (TDR)
Seismic interval velocity volumes
RMS stacking velocities
Velocity point sets

For projects with only RMS velocities, Rocks Velocity includes a dedicated Horizon Consistent Dix Conversion workflow to generate interval velocities ready for modelling.

Seismic velocity calibration

Define several velocity functions

Detrending seismic velocities

Optimize depth residuals

Horizon consistent dix

Dynamic velocity model building

Rocks_velocity_Seismic_velocity_calibration

Blueback Rocks Velocity allows interpreters to choose between several methods to calibrate seismic velocities against well velocities.

Rocks_velocity_Define_several_velocity_functions

Define the most appropriate velocity function for each layer, visualizing interval velocity maps as you change parameters.

Rocks_velocity_Detrending_seismic_velocities

Produce detrended and scaled interval velocity maps using seismic interval velocities as input.

The depth optimization step lets the user analyze depth residuals and define a strategy to adjust velocities to minimize residual values.

Blueback Rocks Velocity features computing of horizon consistent interval velocities from root-mean-square velocities (Vrms).

Rocks_velocity_Dynamic_velocity_model_building

Enhance the creation of velocity cubes to depth convert 3D seismic , interpretation faults, surfaces, points and polygons.

Build geological velocity models

Create realistic multi-layer velocity models that honour both geological interpretation and well observations.

Capabilities include:

Multi-layer framework definition
Interactive velocity analysis
Multiple velocity functions
Polynomial velocity fitting for frontier exploration
Horizon-based modelling
Automatic calibration against wells
Dynamic velocity model updates
Multiple independent modelling scenarios

Detrend seismic velocities

Produce detrended and scaled interval velocity maps using seismic interval velocities as input. The results can be saved in the Petrel* E&P software platform tree as surface attributes.

Interactive workflow
Integrate detrended results in velocity model building
Alternative workflow for seismic velocities

Interactive velocity analysis

Visualise every aspect of the velocity model using linked maps, crossplots and well displays.

Quickly:

Detect outliers
Compare seismic and well velocities
Analyse velocity trends
Investigate residuals
Validate calibration quality

Every stage remains fully interactive, allowing interpreters to understand exactly how the model evolves.

Advanced depth optimization

The depth optimization step lets the user analyze depth residuals and define a strategy to adjust velocities to minimize residual values.

Map oriented, simple, or advanced methods
Closer residual values to reference markers
Crucial aspect of velocity modeling

Stochastic Analysis

Every velocity model contains uncertainty. Rather than relying on a single deterministic solution, Rocks Velocity enables interpreters to evaluate multiple equally plausible models and understand how uncertainty propagates into depth predictions.

Benefits:

Quantify uncertainty
Compare alternative scenarios
Identify high-risk areas
Improve confidence before drilling
Support probabilistic interpretation

Cross Validation

Validate your velocity model before you drill.

The new Cross Validation workflow automatically removes selected wells from the calibration process and predicts their depths using the remaining dataset. Comparing predicted and observed values provides an objective measure of model quality and helps identify overfitting or poorly constrained regions.

Benefits:

Independent quality control
Measure predictive capability
Detect overfitting
Improve confidence in the final model
Better assess drilling risk

Horizon consistent Dix

This tool features computing of horizon consistent interval velocities from root-mean-square velocities (Vrms). The results can be saved as surface attributes, point-sets or seismic volume and used as direct input.

Based on Dix approximation (1955)
Following the horizons above and below
Accurate and fast method

Depth conversion

Deliver reliable depth products with confidence.

Once your velocity model has been calibrated, optimised and validated, Blueback Rocks Velocity generates the velocity cubes and depth-converted interpretation products required for structural interpretation, reservoir characterisation and drilling workflows.

Outputs include:

Velocity cubes
3D seismic volumes
Horizons
Faults
Surface attributes
Points and polygons

Benefits:

Fully integrated with Petrel
Scalable processing
Ready for downstream interpretation

Key Features

Capability	Description
Dix Conversion	Convert RMS stacking velocities into horizon-consistent interval velocities
Velocity Polynomial Fit	Build initial velocity models directly from well TDR data for frontier exploration
Interactive Velocity Analysis	Linked crossplots, maps and well displays for rapid QC
Multi-layer Velocity Modelling	Build consistent geological velocity models layer by layer
Velocity Detrending	Separate regional trends from geological anomalies
Well Calibration	Honour checkshots, VSPs and TDR data
Depth Optimisation	Minimise depth residuals using simple or advanced optimisation
Stochastic Analysis (NEW)	Quantify uncertainty through multiple velocity realisations
Cross Validation (NEW)	Independently validate model performance before drilling
Depth Conversion	Produce reliable velocity cubes and depth-converted interpretation products

Why geoscientists choose Rocks Velocity

Complete end-to-end velocity modelling workflow
Fully integrated within Petrel
Transparent, interpreter-controlled methodology
Interactive quality control at every stage
Geological rather than purely mathematical approach
Advanced uncertainty quantification
Objective model validation
Proven on complex exploration and development projects

Petrel * is a mark of SLB

Below you’ll find the most common questions gathered to make it easy for you to find what you’re looking for. Click a question to read more.

What is the Blueback suite used for in velocity modeling?

The Blueback suite is used to support velocity model building and time‑to‑depth conversion through transparent and structured workflows. It integrates well data and seismic data to help interpreters analyze velocity trends and understand how velocity parameters are derived and applied.

How does Blueback Rocks Velocity support velocity model building?

Blueback Rocks Velocity extracts velocity parameters and seismic information from both well data and seismic data. This allows interpreters to work with consistent inputs, visualize velocity trends, and document assumptions throughout the velocity modeling process.

Why is transparency important in velocity modeling workflows?

Transparency is important because velocity models directly influence depth conversion and subsurface interpretation. Clear and traceable workflows help interpreters assess data quality, understand uncertainty, and build confidence in the velocity model used for further analysis.

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Blueback Rocks Velocity

Blueback velocity models you can trust

Why choose Blueback Rocks Velocity?

From data preparation through validation and uncertainty analysis, Blueback Rocks Velocity provides a complete end-to-end workflow for velocity modelling and depth conversion.

End-to-End Velocity Modelling Workflow

Import and prepare velocity data

Key features

Key Features

Why geoscientists choose Rocks Velocity

Want to know more about Blueback Rocks Velocity? We are ready to help you get started.

Frequently asked questions

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