Integration of hydraulically induced microseismic event locations with active seismic attributes: A North Texas Barnett Shale case study

Geophysics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. KS1-KS12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier E. Refunjol ◽  
Katie M. Keranen ◽  
Joël H. Le Calvez ◽  
Kurt J. Marfurt
Keyword(s):  
Mineralogical Composition ◽  
Seismic Attributes ◽  
Barnett Shale ◽  
Hydraulic Fractures ◽  
Fracture Networks ◽  
North Texas ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
The North ◽  
Reflection Data ◽  
Microseismic Event

Hydraulic fractures are delineated by induced microseismic event distributions and typically propagate perpendicular to the regional minimum stress direction. However, at a smaller scale, varying mineralogical composition and existing fault and fracture networks can influence developing fracture networks. We integrated microseismic event locations with seismic attributes from multichannel seismic reflection data, including inversion results for impedance and Lamé parameters, and seismic curvature attributes. We found that microseismic event locations consistently correlate to zones of low seismic impedance and low [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] values, describing characteristic material properties of fracture-prone zones within the North Texas Lower and Upper Barnett Shale. Additionally, event locations showed a weak correlation with anticlinal structures as defined by volumetric curvature attributes. We suggest that the low impedance, low [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] zones were related to the boundary between calcite-filled fractures and the host rock.

EXTENDED ARRAYS FOR MARINE SEISMIC ACQUISITION

Geophysics ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. H. Lofthouse ◽  
G. T. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Data Quality ◽  
Data Acquisition ◽  
Signal Amplitude ◽  
Eastern Canada ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
The North ◽  
Reflection Data ◽  
Formed Part ◽  
Marine Seismic ◽  
Receiver Arrays

In‐line arrays for both source and receiver have been implemented for marine seismic reflection data acquisition. The in‐line array dimensions (variable within limits) are considerably greater than any previously used system of which we are aware. The arrays were designed to attenuate extremely strong sea‐bottom multiples during the data acquisition phase. The source comprised 25 airguns arranged in five identical in‐line subarrays. Each subarray produced a signal of better than 6 barmeters acoustic intensity with a primary‐to‐bubble ratio of approximately 4.4 from guns totaling 297 cu in. When this source was delivered in 1973, it constituted the most powerful production airgun source for which we had seen calibration measurements. Receiver arrays were implemented by a “weighting‐mixing” box (which formed part of the DFS IV instrument), the input to which comprised 53 channels of data each from a 50 m live section in the streamer cable. Processing techniques which are complementary to the field procedures have been developed. Comparisons with “conventional” data (and such data processed to simulate field arrays) show significant improvements in “data quality” from the new field techniques, that is, the new data are easier to interpret geologically because interfering multiples have been attenuated relative to desired energy. Whilst the large outgoing signal amplitude will have made some contribution to the data quality, the major improvement is believed to result from the use of arrays in the recording phase. This system, first used for production in August 1973, was subsequently used successfully during recording of 17,000 km of offshore seismic data from Eastern Canada, the North Sea, and the Mediterranean.

Structural variation along the Devil's Mountain fault zone, northwestern Washington

2006 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 433-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathan Hayward ◽  
Mladen R Nedimović ◽  
Matthew Cleary ◽  
Andrew J Calvert
Keyword(s):  
Fault Zone ◽  
Structural Variation ◽  
Puget Sound ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Juan De Fuca Plate ◽  
The North ◽  
Reflection Data ◽  
Juan De Fuca ◽  
Main Fault ◽  
Juan De Fuca Strait

The eastern Juan de Fuca Strait is subject to long-term, north–south-oriented shortening. The observed deformation is interpreted to result from the northward motion of the Oregon block, which is being driven north by oblique subduction of the oceanic Juan de Fuca plate. Seismic data, acquired during the Seismic Hazards Investigation in Puget Sound survey are used, with coincident first-arrival tomographic velocities, to interpret structural variation along the Devil's Mountain fault zone in the eastern Juan de Fuca Strait. The Primary fault of the Devil's Mountain fault zone developed at the northern boundary of the Everett basin, during north–south-oriented Tertiary compression. Interpretation of seismic reflection data suggests that, based on their similar geometry including the large magnitude of pre-Tertiary basement offset, the Primary fault of the Devil's Mountain fault west of ~122.95°W and the Utsalady Point fault represent the main fault of the Tertiary Devil's Mountain fault zone. The Tertiary Primary fault west of ~122.95°W was probably kinematically linked to faults to the east (Utsalady Point, Devil's Mountain, and another to the south), by an oblique north–northeast-trending transfer zone or ramp. Left-lateral transpression controlled the Quaternary evolution of the Devil's Mountain fault zone. Quaternary Primary fault offsets are smaller to the east of ~122.95°W, suggesting that stress here was in part accommodated by the prevalent oblique compressional structures to the north. Holocene deformation has focussed on the Devil's Mountain, Utsalady Point, and Strawberry Point faults to the east of ~122.8° but has not affected the Utsalady Point fault to the west of ~122.8°W.

Inversion and attribute-assisted hydraulically induced microseismic fracture characterization in the North Texas Barnett Shale

2011 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 292-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xavier E. Refunjol ◽  
Kurt J. Marfurt ◽  
Joël H. Le Calvez
Keyword(s):  
Barnett Shale ◽  
North Texas ◽  
Fracture Characterization ◽  
The North

scholarly journals Sevier Fault at Red Canyon

Geosites ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Robert Biek
Keyword(s):  
Lava Flow ◽  
Fault Zone ◽  
Hanging Wall ◽  
Slip Rate ◽  
Normal Fault ◽  
Coarse Grained ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
The North ◽  
Total Displacement ◽  
Reflection Data

The Sevier fault is spectacularly displayed on the north side of Utah Highway 12 at the entrance to Red Canyon, where it offsets a 500,000-year-old basaltic lava flow. The fault is one of several active, major faults that break apart the western margin of the Colorado Plateau in southwestern Utah. The Sevier fault is a “normal” fault, a type of fault that forms during extension of the earth’s crust, where one side of the fault moves down relative to the other side. In this case, the down-dropped side (the hanging wall) is west of the fault; the upthrown side (the footwall) lies to the east. The contrasting colors of rocks across the fault make the fault stand out in vivid detail. Immediately south of Red Canyon, the 5-million-year-old Rock Canyon lava flow, which erupted on the eastern slope of the Markagunt Plateau, flowed eastward and crossed the fault (which at the time juxtaposed non-resistant fan alluvium against coarse-grained volcaniclastic deposits) (Biek and others, 2015). The flow is now offset 775 to 1130 feet (235-345 m) along the main strand of the fault, yielding an anomalously low vertical slip rate of about 0.05 mm/yr (Lund and others, 2008). However, this eastern branch of the Sevier fault accounts for only part of the total displacement on the fault zone. A concealed, down-to-the-west fault is present west of coarse-grained volcaniclastic strata at the base of the Claron cliffs. Seismic reflection data indicate that the total displacement on the fault zone in this area is about 3000 feet (900 m) (Lundin, 1987, 1989; Davis, 1999).

scholarly journals Using Seismic Attributes in seismotectonic research: an application to the Norcia's Mw = 6.5 earthquake (30th October 2016) in Central Italy

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maurizio Ercoli ◽  
Emanuele Forte ◽  
Massimiliano Porreca ◽  
Ramon Carbonell ◽  
Cristina Pauselli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Seismic Attributes ◽  
Seismic Attribute ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Epicentral Zone ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Reflection Data ◽  
Attribute Analysis

Abstract. In seismotectonic studies, seismic reflection data are a powerful tool to unravel the complex deep architecture of active faults. Such tectonic structures are usually mapped at surface through traditional geological surveying whilst seismic reflection data may help to trace their continuation from the near-surface down to hypocentral depth. In this study, we propose the application of the seismic attributes technique, commonly used in seismic reflection exploration by oil industry, to seismotectonic research for the first time. The study area is a geologically complex region of Central Italy, recently struck by a long-lasting seismic sequence including a Mw 6.5 main-shock. A seismic reflection data-set consisting of three vintage seismic profiles, currently the only available across the epicentral zone, constitutes a singular opportunity to attempt a seismic attribute analysis. This analysis resulted in peculiar seismic signatures which generally correlate with the exposed surface geologic features, and also confirming the presence of other debated structures. These results are critical, because provide information also on the relatively deep structural setting, mapping a prominent, high amplitude regional reflector that marks the top basement, interpreted as important rheological boundary. Complex patterns of high-angle discontinuities crossing the reflectors have been also identified. These dipping fabrics are interpreted as the expression of fault zones, belonging to the active normal fault systems responsible for the seismicity of the region. This work demonstrates that seismic attribute analysis, even if used on low-quality vintage 2D data, may contribute to improve the subsurface geological interpretation of areas characterized by high seismic potential.

scholarly journals ANALYSIS OF SEISMIC ATTRIBUTES TO RECOGNIZE BOTTOM SIMULATING REFLECTORS IN THE FOZ DO AMAZONAS BASIN, NORTHERN BRAZIL

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 43
Author(s):  
Laisa da Fonseca Aguiar ◽  
Antonio Fernando Menezes Freire ◽  
Luiz Alberto Santos ◽  
Ana Carolina Ferreira Dominguez ◽  
Eloíse Helena Policarpo Neves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gas Hydrates ◽  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Seismic Attributes ◽  
Second Derivative ◽  
Seismic Section ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Reflection Data ◽  
Bottom Simulating Reflectors ◽  
Northern Portion ◽  
Seismic Amplitudes

ABSTRACT. Foz do Amazonas basin is located at the northern portion of the Brazilian Equatorial Margin, along the coastal zone of Amapá and Pará states. This basin has been subjected to several studies, and the presence of gas hydrates has been demonstrated locally through sampling, and over broader areas using seismic reflection data. Seismic reflection is one method to identify the occurrence of gas hydrates, as they give rise to well-marked reflectors that simulate the seafloor, known as Bottom Simulating Reflectors (BSR). This study aims to investigate BSRs associated with the presence of methane hydrates in the Foz do Amazonas Basin through the application of seismic attributes. It was compared seismic amplitudes from the seafloor and the BSR to validate the inferred seismic feature. Then, Envelope and Second Derivative were chosen for highlighting the BSR in seismic section. The results showed an inversion of polarities in the signal between the seafloor (positive polarity) and the BSR (negative polarity). The integrated use of these approaches allowed validating the level of the BSR in line 0239-0035 and inferring the presence of gas hydrates, revealing to be a useful tool for interpreting the distribution of the gas hydrates in the Foz do Amazonas Basin.Keywords: Gas hydrates, envelope, second derivative of envelope, Brazilian Equatorial Margin.RESUMO. A Bacia da Foz do Amazonas é localizada na porção norte da Margem Equatorial Brasileira, ao longo da zona de costa dos estados do Amapá e do Pará. A presença de hidratos de gás é comprovada localmente através de amostragem, e em áreas mais distantes através de dados de sísmica de reflexão. A sísmica de reflexão é eficaz para identificar hidratos de gás, pois refletores que simulam o fundo do mar, Bottom Simulating Reflectors (BSR), são utilizados para inferir a presença dos hidratos de metano. Este estudo pretende identificar feições sísmicas associadas aos hidratos de metano na Bacia da Foz do Amazonas através da aplicação de atributos sísmicos. Foram comparadas as amplitudes sísmicas do fundo do mar e do BSR para validar a feição sísmica inferida. Então, os atributos Envelope e Segunda Derivada do Envelope foram escolhidos por destacarem o BSR. Os resultados mostraram uma inversão das polaridades no sinal entre o fundo do mar (positivo) e o BSR (negativo). O uso integrado dessas abordagens valida a localização do BSR na linha 0239-0035 e infere a ocorrência de hidratos de gás, revelando ser uma ferramenta útil para interpretação da distribuição de hidratos de gás na Bacia da Foz do Amazonas.Palavras-chave: Hidratos de metano, envelope, segunda derivada do envelope, Margem Equatorial Brasileira.

Rift processes in the Westralian Superbasin, North West Shelf, Australia: insights from 2D deep reflection seismic interpretation and potential fields modelling

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 400 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Belgarde ◽  
Gianreto Manatschal ◽  
Nick Kusznir ◽  
Sonia Scarselli ◽  
Michal Ruder
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Potential Fields ◽  
Moho Depth ◽  
Late Permian ◽  
Forward Modelling ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
North West ◽  
Reflection Seismic ◽  
The North ◽  
Reflection Data

Acquisition of long-offset (8–10 km), long-record length (12–18 sec), 2D reflection seismic and ship-borne potential fields data (WestraliaSpan by Ion/GXT and New Dawn by PGS) on the North West Shelf of Australia provide the opportunity to study rift processes in the context of modern models for rifted margins (Manatschal, 2004). Basement and Moho surfaces were interpreted on seismic reflection data. Refraction models from Geoscience Australia constrain Moho depth and initial densities for gravity modelling through standard velocity-density transformation. 2D joint inversion of seismic reflection and gravity data for Moho depth and basement density constrain depth to basement on seismic. 2D gravity and magnetic intensity forward modelling of key seismic lines constrain basement thickness, type and density. Late Permian and Jurassic-Early Cretaceous rift zones were mapped on seismic reflection data and constrained further by inversion and forward modelling of potential fields data. The Westralian Superbasin formed as a marginal basin in Eastern Gondwana during the Late Permian rifting of the Sibumasu terrane. Crustal necking was localised along mechanically-weak Proterozoic suture belts or Early Paleozoic sedimentary basins (such as Paterson and Canning). Mechanically-strong cratons (such as Pilbara and Kimberley) remained intact, resulting in necking and hyper-extension at their edges. Late Permian hyper-extended areas (such as Exmouth Plateau) behaved as mechanically-strong blocks during the Jurassic to Early Cretaceous continental break-up. Late Permian necking zones were reactivated as failed-rift basins and localised the deposition of the Jurassic oil-prone source rocks that have generated much of the oil discovered on the North West Shelf.

A NORTH WEST SHELF TRIASSIC REEF PLAY: RESULTS FROM ODP LEG 122

1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 328 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.E. Williamson ◽  
N.F. Exon ◽  
B. ul Haq ◽  
U. von Rad
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Reflection ◽  
Upper Triassic ◽  
Seismic Facies ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Reef Complex ◽  
North West ◽  
Exmouth Plateau ◽  
The North ◽  
Reflection Data

Site 764 of the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP), drilled during Leg 122 in the Exmouth Plateau region, cored 200 m of Upper Triassic (Rhaetian) reef complex. This site, on the northern Wombat Plateau (northernmost Exmouth Plateau) represents the first discovery of Triassic reefal material near the Australian North West Shelf. Seismic reflection data through Site 764 show that the reef itself corresponds predominantly to a seismically poorly reflective zone. A number of regional unconformities appear to correspond, however, to traceable seismic horizons which pass with reduced amplitude through the reef, indicating stages of reef growth separated by erosion or non- deposition. Seismic facies around the edges of the reef are consistent with the deposition of wedges of prograding reef- derived detritus.Application of the seismic criteria for reef recognition established at ODP Site 764, to other seismic reflection data on the Wombat Plateau, demonstrates that a major Upper Triassic reef complex fringes the margins of the Wombat Plateau. The Wombat Plateau lies at the western end of the North West Shelf, which was part of the southern margin of a warm Tethys Ocean in the Late Triassic, at a palaeolatitude of 25- 30°S. Upper Triassic reefs are known from southeast Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, and now the Wombat Plateau, and may be common elsewhere along the outer margin of the North West Shelf. Upper Triassic reef complexes, with their associated reservoir, source and seal facies, could represent an exciting new petroleum exploration play for the entire North West Shelf. Facies analysis suggests that they are likely only on the outer shelf and slope. Shallow Triassic reef complexes are clearly identifiable using high resolution seismic reflection data. Seismic reflection data of lower resolution may well reveal the associated detrital carbonate wedges, which are more laterally extensive than the reefal core, deeper in the section.

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