Approaches to defining reservoir physical properties from 3-D seismic attributes with limited well control: An example from the Jurassic Smackover Formation, Alabama

Geophysics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 368-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruce S. Hart ◽  
Robert S. Balch
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Empirical Relationship ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Seismic Attributes ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Small Field ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Smackover Formation ◽  
Data Volume ◽  
Seismic Sections

Much industry interest is centered on how to integrate well data and attributes derived from 3-D seismic data sets in the hope of defining reservoir properties in interwell areas. Unfortunately, the statistical underpinnings of the methods become less robust in areas where only a few wells are available, as might be the case in a new or small field. Especially in areas of limited well availability, we suggest that the physical basis of the attributes selected during the correlation procedure be validated by generating synthetic seismic sections from geologic models, then deriving attributes from the sections. We demonstrate this approach with a case study from Appleton field of southwestern Alabama. In this small field, dolomites of the Jurassic Smackover Formation produce from an anticlinal feature about 3800 m deep. We used available geologic information to generate synthetic seismic sections that showed the expected seismic response of the target formation; then we picked the relevant horizons in a 3-D seismic data volume that spanned the study area. Using multiple regression, we derived an empirical relationship between three seismic attributes of this 3-D volume and a log‐derived porosity indicator. Our choice of attributes was validated by deriving complex trace attributes from our seismic modeling results and confirming that the relationships between well properties and real‐data attributes were physically valid. Additionally, the porosity distribution predicted by the 3-D seismic data was reasonable within the context of the depositional model used for the area. Results from a new well drilled after our study validated our porosity prediction, although our structural prediction for the top of the porosity zone was erroneous. These results remind us that seismic interpretations should be viewed as works in progress which need to be updated when new data become available.

Pitfalls in seismic processing: An application of seismic modeling to investigate acquisition footprint

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. SG1-SG9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcus P. Cahoj ◽  
Sumit Verma ◽  
Bryce Hutchinson ◽  
Kurt J. Marfurt
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Seismic Attributes ◽  
Velocity Analysis ◽  
Seismic Modeling ◽  
Seismic Processing ◽  
The Real ◽  
Considerable Research ◽  
Data Volume ◽  
Ground Roll

The term acquisition footprint is commonly used to define patterns in seismic time and horizon slices that are closely correlated to the acquisition geometry. Seismic attributes often exacerbate footprint artifacts and may pose pitfalls to the less experienced interpreter. Although removal of the acquisition footprint is the focus of considerable research, the sources of such artifact acquisition footprint are less commonly discussed or illustrated. Based on real data examples, we have hypothesized possible causes of footprint occurrence and created them through synthetic prestack modeling. Then, we processed these models using the same workflows used for the real data. Computation of geometric attributes from the migrated synthetics found the same footprint artifacts as the real data. These models showed that acquisition footprint could be caused by residual ground roll, inaccurate velocities, and far-offset migration stretch. With this understanding, we have examined the real seismic data volume and found that the key cause of acquisition footprint was inaccurate velocity analysis.

scholarly journals Pitfalls and limitations in seismic attribute interpretation of tectonic features

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. SB5-SB15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kurt J. Marfurt ◽  
Tiago M. Alves
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Seismic Attributes ◽  
Seismic Attribute ◽  
3D Data ◽  
Amplitude Data ◽  
Seismic Sections ◽  
Push Down ◽  
Data Coherence ◽  
Level Of Experience ◽  
Tectonic Features

Seismic attributes are routinely used to accelerate and quantify the interpretation of tectonic features in 3D seismic data. Coherence (or variance) cubes delineate the edges of megablocks and faulted strata, curvature delineates folds and flexures, while spectral components delineate lateral changes in thickness and lithology. Seismic attributes are at their best in extracting subtle and easy to overlook features on high-quality seismic data. However, seismic attributes can also exacerbate otherwise subtle effects such as acquisition footprint and velocity pull-up/push-down, as well as small processing and velocity errors in seismic imaging. As a result, the chance that an interpreter will suffer a pitfall is inversely proportional to his or her experience. Interpreters with a history of making conventional maps from vertical seismic sections will have previously encountered problems associated with acquisition, processing, and imaging. Because they know that attributes are a direct measure of the seismic amplitude data, they are not surprised that such attributes “accurately” represent these familiar errors. Less experienced interpreters may encounter these errors for the first time. Regardless of their level of experience, all interpreters are faced with increasingly larger seismic data volumes in which seismic attributes become valuable tools that aid in mapping and communicating geologic features of interest to their colleagues. In terms of attributes, structural pitfalls fall into two general categories: false structures due to seismic noise and processing errors including velocity pull-up/push-down due to lateral variations in the overburden and errors made in attribute computation by not accounting for structural dip. We evaluate these errors using 3D data volumes and find areas where present-day attributes do not provide the images we want.

Unsupervised machine learning using 3D seismic data applied to reservoir evaluation and rock type identification

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-69
Author(s):  
Marwa Hussein ◽  
Robert R. Stewart ◽  
Deborah Sacrey ◽  
Jonny Wu ◽  
Rajas Athale
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Rock Type ◽  
Seismic Attributes ◽  
Reservoir Quality ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Unsupervised Machine Learning ◽  
Amplitude Data ◽  
3D Seismic Data

Net reservoir discrimination and rock type identification play vital roles in determining reservoir quality, distribution, and identification of stratigraphic baffles for optimizing drilling plans and economic petroleum recovery. Although it is challenging to discriminate small changes in reservoir properties or identify thin stratigraphic barriers below seismic resolution from conventional seismic amplitude data, we have found that seismic attributes aid in defining the reservoir architecture, properties, and stratigraphic baffles. However, analyzing numerous individual attributes is a time-consuming process and may have limitations for revealing small petrophysical changes within a reservoir. Using the Maui 3D seismic data acquired in offshore Taranaki Basin, New Zealand, we generate typical instantaneous and spectral decomposition seismic attributes that are sensitive to lithologic variations and changes in reservoir properties. Using the most common petrophysical and rock typing classification methods, the rock quality and heterogeneity of the C1 Sand reservoir are studied for four wells located within the 3D seismic volume. We find that integrating the geologic content of a combination of eight spectral instantaneous attribute volumes using an unsupervised machine-learning algorithm (self-organizing maps [SOMs]) results in a classification volume that can highlight reservoir distribution and identify stratigraphic baffles by correlating the SOM clusters with discrete net reservoir and flow-unit logs. We find that SOM classification of natural clusters of multiattribute samples in the attribute space is sensitive to subtle changes within the reservoir’s petrophysical properties. We find that SOM clusters appear to be more sensitive to porosity variations compared with lithologic changes within the reservoir. Thus, this method helps us to understand reservoir quality and heterogeneity in addition to illuminating thin reservoirs and stratigraphic baffles.

Relative time seislet transform

Geophysics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. V223-V232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhicheng Geng ◽  
Xinming Wu ◽  
Sergey Fomel ◽  
Yangkang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Lifting Scheme ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Relative Time ◽  
New Approach ◽  
New Formulation ◽  
Wavelet Lifting ◽  
Seismic Images

The seislet transform uses the wavelet-lifting scheme and local slopes to analyze the seismic data. In its definition, the designing of prediction operators specifically for seismic images and data is an important issue. We have developed a new formulation of the seislet transform based on the relative time (RT) attribute. This method uses the RT volume to construct multiscale prediction operators. With the new prediction operators, the seislet transform gets accelerated because distant traces get predicted directly. We apply our method to synthetic and real data to demonstrate that the new approach reduces computational cost and obtains excellent sparse representation on test data sets.

Denoising seismic data using the nonlocal means algorithm

Geophysics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (1) ◽  
pp. A5-A8 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Bonar ◽  
Mauricio Sacchi
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Random Noise ◽  
Seismic Energy ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Spatial Proximity ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Noise Attenuation ◽  
Nonlocal Means ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
Generally True

The nonlocal means algorithm is a noise attenuation filter that was originally developed for the purposes of image denoising. This algorithm denoises each sample or pixel within an image by utilizing other similar samples or pixels regardless of their spatial proximity, making the process nonlocal. Such a technique places no assumptions on the data except that structures within the data contain a degree of redundancy. Because this is generally true for reflection seismic data, we propose to adopt the nonlocal means algorithm to attenuate random noise in seismic data. Tests with synthetic and real data sets demonstrate that the nonlocal means algorithm does not smear seismic energy across sharp discontinuities or curved events when compared to seismic denoising methods such as f-x deconvolution.

Diffraction images and their attributes based on asymmetric summation: real data application

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxim I. Protasov ◽  
◽  
Vladimir A. Tcheverda ◽  
Valery V. Shilikov ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Data Application ◽  
Diffraction Imaging

The paper deals with a 3D diffraction imaging with the subsequent diffraction attribute calculation. The imaging is based on an asymmetric summation of seismic data and provides three diffraction attributes: structural diffraction attribute, point diffraction attribute, an azimuth of structural diffraction. These attributes provide differentiating fractured and cavernous objects and to determine the fractures orientations. Approbation of the approach was provided on several real data sets.

Accurate poststack acoustic-impedance inversion by well-log calibration

Geophysics ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. R59-R67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor B. Morozov ◽  
Jinfeng Ma
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Acoustic Impedance ◽  
Joint Inversion ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Frequency Model ◽  
Physical Constraints ◽  
Impedance Inversion ◽  
Reliable Solution

The seismic-impedance inversion problem is underconstrained inherently and does not allow the use of rigorous joint inversion. In the absence of a true inverse, a reliable solution free from subjective parameters can be obtained by defining a set of physical constraints that should be satisfied by the resulting images. A method for constructing synthetic logs is proposed that explicitly and accurately satisfies (1) the convolutional equation, (2) time-depth constraints of the seismic data, (3) a background low-frequency model from logs or seismic/geologic interpretation, and (4) spectral amplitudes and geostatistical information from spatially interpolated well logs. The resulting synthetic log sections or volumes are interpretable in standard ways. Unlike broadly used joint-inversion algorithms, the method contains no subjectively selected user parameters, utilizes the log data more completely, and assesses intermediate results. The procedure is simple and tolerant to noise, and it leads to higher-resolution images. Separating the seismic and subseismic frequency bands also simplifies data processing for acoustic-impedance (AI) inversion. For example, zero-phase deconvolution and true-amplitude processing of seismic data are not required and are included automatically in this method. The approach is applicable to 2D and 3D data sets and to multiple pre- and poststack seismic attributes. It has been tested on inversions for AI and true-amplitude reflectivity using 2D synthetic and real-data examples.

Adaptive multiple subtraction based on multiband pattern coding

Geophysics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. V69-V78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinlin Liu ◽  
Wenkai Lu
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Subtraction Problem ◽  
Frequency Bands ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Multiple Elimination ◽  
Pattern Coding

Adaptive multiple subtraction is the key step of surface-related multiple elimination methods. The main challenge of this technique resides in removing multiples without distorting primaries. We have developed a new pattern-based method for adaptive multiple subtraction with the consideration that primaries can be better protected if the multiples are differentiated from the primaries. Different from previously proposed methods, our method casts the adaptive multiple subtraction problem as a pattern coding and decoding process. We set out to learn distinguishable patterns from the predicted multiples before estimating the multiples contained in seismic data. Hence, in our method, we first carried out pattern coding of the predicted multiples to learn the special patterns of the multiples within different frequency bands. This coding process aims at exploiting the key patterns contained in the predicted multiples. The learned patterns are then used to decode (extract) the multiples contained in the seismic data, in which process those patterns that are similar to the learned patterns were identified and extracted. Because the learned patterns are obtained from the predicted multiples only, our method avoids the interferences of primaries in nature and shows an impressive capability for removing multiples without distorting the primaries. Our applications on synthetic and real data sets gave some promising results.

scholarly journals Evaluation of seismic attributes for reservoir characterization over Edi field, Niger delta, Nigeria using 3d seismic data

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 168
Author(s):  
Nyeneime O. Etuk ◽  
Mfoniso U. Aka ◽  
Okechukwu A. Agbasi ◽  
Johnson C. Ibuot
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Niger Delta ◽  
Reservoir Characterization ◽  
Seismic Attributes ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Root Mean Square Amplitude ◽  
Phase Gradient ◽  
Major Fault ◽  
Seismic Sections ◽  
3D Seismic Data

Seismic attributes were evaluated over Edi field, offshore Western Niger Delta, Nigeria, via 3D seismic data. Manual mappings of the horizons and faults on the in-lines and cross-lines of the seismic sections were done. Various attributes were calculated and out put on four horizons corresponding to the well markers at different formations within the well were identified. The four horizons identified, which includes: H1, H2, H3 and H4 were mapped and interpreted across the field. The operational agenda was thru picking given faults segments on the in–line of seismic volume. A total of five faults coded as F1, F2, F3, F4 and F5, F1 and F5 were the major fault and were observed as extending through the field. Structural and horizon mappings were used to generate time structure maps. The maps showed the various positions and orientations of the faults. Different attributes which include: root mean square amplitude, instantaneous phase, gradient magnitude and chaos were run on the 3D seismic data. The amplitude and incline magnitude maps indicate direct hydrocarbon on the horizon maps; this is very important in the drilling of wells because it shows areas where hydrocarbons are present in the subsurface. The seismic attributes revealed information, which was not readily apparent in the raw seismic data.   

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