scholarly journals Reservoir characterization based upon the onset of time-lapse amplitude changes

Geophysics ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. M1-M14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donald W. Vasco ◽  
Andrey Bakulin ◽  
Hyoungsu Baek ◽  
Lane R. Johnson

Time-lapse geophysical monitoring has potential as a tool for reservoir characterization, that is, for determining reservoir properties such as permeability. Onset times, the calendar times at which geophysical observations begin to deviate from their initial or background values, provide a useful basis for such characterization. We found that, in contrast to time-lapse amplitude changes, onset times were not sensitive to the exact method used to related changes in fluid saturation to changes in seismic velocities. As a consequence of this, we found that an inversion for effective permeability based upon onset times was robust with respect to variations in the rock-physics model. In particular, inversions of synthetic onset times calculated using Voigt and Reuss averaging techniques, but inverted using sensitivities from Hill’s averaging method, resulted in almost identical misfit reductions and similar permeability models. All solutions based on onset times recovered the large-scale, resolvable features of the reference model. Synthetic tests indicated that reliable onset times can be obtained from noisy seismic amplitudes. Testing also indicated that large-scale permeability variations can be recovered even if we used onset times from seismic surveys that were spaced as much as 300 days apart.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Z. A. Durrani ◽  
Keith Willson ◽  
Jingyi Chen ◽  
Bryan Tapp ◽  
Jubran Akram

Due to the complex nature, deriving elastic properties from seismic data for the prolific Granite Wash reservoir (Pennsylvanian age) in the western Anadarko Basin Wheeler County (Texas) is quite a challenge. In this paper, we used rock physics tool to describe the diagenesis and accurate estimation of seismic velocities of P and S waves in Granite Wash reservoir. Hertz-Mindlin and Cementation (Dvorkin’s) theories are applied to analyze the nature of the reservoir rocks (uncemented and cemented). In the implementation of rock physics diagnostics, three classical rock physics (empirical relations, Kuster-Toksöz, and Berryman) models are comparatively analyzed for velocity prediction taking into account the pore shape geometry. An empirical (VP-VS) relationship is also generated calibrated with core data for shear wave velocity prediction. Finally, we discussed the advantages of each rock physics model in detail. In addition, cross-plots of unconventional attributes help us in the clear separation of anomalous zone and lithologic properties of sand and shale facies over conventional attributes.


Geophysics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (3) ◽  
pp. M25-M39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mingliang Liu ◽  
Dario Grana

We have developed a new stochastic nonlinear inversion method for seismic reservoir characterization studies to jointly estimate elastic and petrophysical properties and to quantify their uncertainty. Our method aims to estimate multiple reservoir realizations of the entire set of reservoir properties, including seismic velocities, density, porosity, mineralogy, and saturation, by iteratively updating the initial ensemble of models based on the mismatch between their seismic response and the measured seismic data. The initial models are generated using geostatistical methods and the geophysical forward operators include rock-physics relations and a seismic forward model. The optimization is achieved using an iterative ensemble-based algorithm, namely, the ensemble smoother with multiple data assimilation, in which each iteration is based on a Bayesian updating step. The advantages of the proposed method are that it can be applied to nonlinear inverse problems and it can provide an ensemble of solutions from which we can quantify the uncertainty of the model properties of interest. To reduce the computational cost of the inversion, we perform the optimization in a lower dimensional data space reparameterized by singular value decomposition. The proposed methodology is validated on a synthetic case in which the set of petroelastic properties is recovered with satisfactory accuracy. Then, we applied the inversion method to a real seismic data set from the Norne field in the Norwegian Sea.


2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 332-332
Author(s):  
Yongyi Li ◽  
Lev Vernik ◽  
Mark Chapman ◽  
Joel Sarout

Rock physics links the physical properties of rocks to geophysical and petrophysical observations and, in the process, serves as a focal point in many exploration and reservoir characterization studies. Today, the field of rock physics and seismic petrophysics embraces new directions with diverse applications in estimating static and dynamic reservoir properties through time-variant mechanical, thermal, chemical, and geologic processes. Integration with new digital and computing technologies is gradually gaining traction. The use of rock physics in seismic imaging, prestack seismic analysis, seismic inversion, and geomechanical model building also contributes to the increase in rock-physics influence. This special section highlights current rock-physics research and practices in several key areas, namely experimental rock physics, rock-physics theory and model studies, and the use of rock physics in reservoir characterizations.


Geophysics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (6) ◽  
pp. O45-O58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Shahin ◽  
Robert Tatham ◽  
Paul Stoffa ◽  
Kyle Spikes

Separation of fluid pore pressure and saturation using inverted time-lapse seismic attributes is a mandatory task for field development. Multiple pairs of inversion-derived attributes can be used in a crossplot domain. We performed a sensitivity analysis to determine an optimal crossplot, and the validity of the separation is tested with a comprehensive petroelastic reservoir model. We simulated a poorly consolidated shaly sandstone reservoir based on a prograding near-shore depositional environment. A model of effective porosity is first simulated by Gaussian geostatistics. Well-known theoretical and experimental petrophysical correlations were then efficiently combined to consistently simulate reservoir properties. Next, the reservoir model was subjected to numerical simulation of multiphase fluid flow to predict the spatial distributions of fluid saturation and pressure. A geologically consistent rock physics model was then used to simulate the inverted seismic attributes. Finally, we conducted a sensitivity analysis of seismic attributes and their crossplots as a tool to discriminate the effect of pressure and saturation. The sensitivity analysis demonstrates that crossplotting of acoustic impedance versus shear impedance should be the most stable way to separate saturation and pressure changes compared to other crossplots (e.g., velocity ratio versus acoustic impedance). We also demonstrated that the saturation and pressure patterns were detected in most of the time-lapse scenarios; however, the saturation pattern is more likely detectable because the percentage in pressure change is often lower than that of the saturation change. Imperfections in saturation and pressure patterns exist in various forms, and they can be explained by the interaction of saturation and pressure, the diffusive nature of pressure, and rapid change in pressure due to production operations.


2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 209-220
Author(s):  
Qazi Sohail Imran ◽  
◽  
Numair Ahmad Siddiqui ◽  
Abdul Halim Abdul Latif ◽  
Yasir Bashir ◽  
...  

Offshore petroleum systems are often very complex and subtle because of a variety of depositional environments. Characterizing a reservoir based on conventional seismic and well-log stratigraphic analysis in intricate settings often leads to uncertainties. Drilling risks, as well as associated subsurface uncertainties can be minimized by accurate reservoir delineation. Moreover, a forecast can also be made about production and performance of a reservoir. This study is aimed to design a workflow in reservoir characterization by integrating seismic inversion, petrophysics and rock physics tools. Firstly, to define litho facies, rock physics modeling was carried out through well log analysis separately for each facies. Next, the available subsurface information is incorporated in a Bayesian engine which outputs several simulations of elastic reservoir properties, as well as their probabilities that were used for post-inversion analysis. Vast areal coverage of seismic and sparse vertical well log data was integrated by geostatistical inversion to produce acoustic impedance realizations of high-resolution. Porosity models were built later using the 3D impedance model. Lastly, reservoir bodies were identified and cross plot analysis discriminated the lithology and fluid within the bodies successfully.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 102-109
Author(s):  
John Pendrel ◽  
Henk Schouten

It is common practice to make facies estimations from the outcomes of seismic inversions and their derivatives. Bayesian analysis methods are a popular approach to this. Facies are important indicators of hydrocarbon deposition and geologic processes. They are critical to geoscientists and engineers. The application of Bayes’ rule maps prior probabilities to posterior probabilities when given new evidence from observations. Per-facies elastic probability density functions (ePDFs) are constructed from elastic-log and rock-physics model crossplots, over which inversion results are superimposed. The ePDFs are templates for Bayesian analysis. In the context of reservoir characterization, the new information comes from seismic inversions. The results are volumes of the probabilities of occurrences of each of the facies at all points in 3D space. The concepts of Bayesian inference have been applied to the task of building low-frequency models for seismic inversions without well-log interpolation. Both a constant structurally compliant elastic trend approach and a facies-driven method, where models are constructed from per-facies trends and initial facies estimates, have been tested. The workflows make use of complete 3D prior information and measure and account for biases and uncertainties in the inversions and prior information. Proper accounting for these types of effects ensures that rock-physics models and inversion data prepared for reservoir property analysis are consistent. The effectiveness of these workflows has been demonstrated by using a Gulf of Mexico data set. We have shown how facies estimates can be effectively used to build reasonable low-frequency models for inversion, which obviate the need for well-log interpolation and provide full 3D variability. The results are more accurate probability-based net-pay estimates that correspond better to geology. We evaluate the workflows by using several measures including precision, confidence, and probabilistic net pay.


2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.32) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Abbas Babasafari ◽  
Deva Ghosh ◽  
Ahmed M. A. Salim ◽  
S Y. Moussavi Alashloo

Shear velocity log is not measured at all wells in oil and gas fields, thus rock physics modeling plays an important role to predict this type of log. Therefore, seismic pre stack inversion is performed and elastic properties are estimated more accurately. Subsequently, a robust Petro-Elastic relationship arising from rock physics model leads to far more precise prediction of petrophysical properties. The more accurate rock physics modeling results in less uncertainty of reservoir modeling. Therefore, a valid rock physics model is intended to be built. For a better understanding of reservoir properties prediction, first of all rock physics modeling for each identified litho-facies classes should be performed separately through well log analysis.  


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