Rock-physics diagnostics of an offshore gas field

Geophysics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. MR121-MR132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Uri Wollner ◽  
Yunfei Yang ◽  
Jack P. Dvorkin
Keyword(s):  
Rock Physics ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Amplitude Variation With Offset ◽  
Rock Physics Modeling ◽  
Physics Modeling ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Physics Model ◽  
Well Data ◽  
Rock Physics Model

Seismic reflections depend on the contrasts of the elastic properties of the subsurface and their 3D geometry. As a result, interpreting seismic data for petrophysical rock properties requires a theoretical rock-physics model that links the seismic response to a rock’s velocity and density. Such a model is based on controlled experiments in which the petrophysical and elastic rock properties are measured on the same samples, such as in the wellbore. Using data from three wells drilled through a clastic offshore gas reservoir, we establish a theoretical rock-physics model that quantitatively explains these data. The modeling is based on the assumption that only three minerals are present: quartz, clay, and feldspar. To have a single rock-physics transform to quantify the well data in the entire intervals under examination in all three wells, we introduced field-specific elastic moduli for the clay. We then used the model to correct the measured shear-wave velocity because it appeared to be unreasonably low. The resulting model-derived Poisson’s ratio is much smaller than the measured ratio, especially in the reservoir. The associated synthetic amplitude variation with offset response appears to be consistent with the recorded seismic angle stacks. We have shown how rock-physics modeling not only helps us to correct the well data, but also allows us to go beyond the settings represented in the wells and quantify the seismic signatures of rock properties and conditions varying in a wider range using forward seismic modeling.

scholarly journals Seismic characterization of geothermal sedimentary reservoirs: A field example from the Copenhagen area, Denmark

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. T275-T291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth Bredesen ◽  
Esben Dalgaard ◽  
Anders Mathiesen ◽  
Rasmus Rasmussen ◽  
Niels Balling
Keyword(s):  
Reservoir Characterization ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
Seismic Inversion ◽  
Amplitude Variation With Offset ◽  
Seismic Characterization ◽  
Rock Physics Modeling ◽  
Physics Modeling ◽  
Physics Model ◽  
Rock Physics Model

We have seismically characterized a Triassic-Jurassic deep geothermal sandstone reservoir north of Copenhagen, onshore Denmark. A suite of regional geophysical measurements, including prestack seismic data and well logs, was integrated with geologic information to obtain facies and reservoir property predictions in a Bayesian framework. The applied workflow combined a facies-dependent calibrated rock-physics model with a simultaneous amplitude-variation-with-offset seismic inversion. The results suggest that certain sandstone distributions are potential aquifers within the target interval, which appear reasonable based on the geologic properties. However, prediction accuracy suffers from a restricted data foundation and should, therefore, only be considered as an indicator of potential aquifers. Despite these issues, the results demonstrate new possibilities for future seismic reservoir characterization and rock-physics modeling for exploration purposes, derisking, and the exploitation of geothermal energy as a green and sustainable energy resource.

scholarly journals Rock Physics Modeling Assisted Reservoir Properties Prediction: Case Study in Malay Basin

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (3.32) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Abbas Babasafari ◽  
Deva Ghosh ◽  
Ahmed M. A. Salim ◽  
S Y. Moussavi Alashloo
Keyword(s):  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
Shear Velocity ◽  
Reservoir Modeling ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Rock Physics Modeling ◽  
Physics Modeling ◽  
Well Log Analysis ◽  
Physics Model ◽  
Rock Physics Model

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.  

Elastic mineral facies: Selecting site-specific elastic moduli of clay

Geophysics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. MR111-MR119
Author(s):  
Uri Wollner ◽  
Jack P. Dvorkin
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Moduli ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Depth Range ◽  
Chemical Formula ◽  
Rock Matrix ◽  
Well Control ◽  
Physics Model ◽  
Well Data ◽  
Rock Physics Model

The elastic moduli of the mineral constituents of the rock matrix are among the principal inputs in all rock-physics velocity-porosity-mineralogy models. Published experimental data indicate that the elastic moduli for essentially any mineral vary. The ranges of these variations are especially wide for clay. The question addressed here is how to select, based on well data, concrete values for clay’s elastic constants where those for other minerals are fixed. The approach is to find a rock-physics model for zero-clay intervals and then adjust the clay’s constants to describe the intervals dominated by clay using the same model. We examine three data sets from clastic environments, each represented by three wells, where the selected constants for clay were different between the fields but stable within each field. These constants can then be used for seismic forward modeling and interpretation in a specific field away from well control and within a depth range represented in the wells. In essence, we introduce the concept of elastic mineral facies where we identify clay as a mineral with certain elastic moduli rather than by its chemical formula.

Bayesian linearized rock-physics inversion

Geophysics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. D625-D641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dario Grana
Keyword(s):  
Granular Media ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Amplitude Variation With Offset ◽  
Fluid Properties ◽  
Rock Physics Modeling ◽  
Physics Modeling

The estimation of rock and fluid properties from seismic attributes is an inverse problem. Rock-physics modeling provides physical relations to link elastic and petrophysical variables. Most of these models are nonlinear; therefore, the inversion generally requires complex iterative optimization algorithms to estimate the reservoir model of petrophysical properties. We have developed a new approach based on the linearization of the rock-physics forward model using first-order Taylor series approximations. The mathematical method adopted for the inversion is the Bayesian approach previously applied successfully to amplitude variation with offset linearized inversion. We developed the analytical formulation of the linearized rock-physics relations for three different models: empirical, granular media, and inclusion models, and we derived the formulation of the Bayesian rock-physics inversion under Gaussian assumptions for the prior distribution of the model. The application of the inversion to real data sets delivers accurate results. The main advantage of this method is the small computational cost due to the analytical solution given by the linearization and the Bayesian Gaussian approach.

scholarly journals Assessment of gas-hydrate saturations in the Makran accretionary prism using the offset dependence of seismic amplitudes

Geophysics ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. C1-C6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maheswar Ojha ◽  
Kalachand Sain ◽  
Timothy A. Minshull
Keyword(s):  
Gas Hydrate ◽  
Seismic Velocity ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
Accretionary Prism ◽  
Seismic Line ◽  
Amplitude Variation With Offset ◽  
Free Gas ◽  
Bottom Simulating Reflector ◽  
Physics Modeling ◽  
Physics Model

We estimate the saturations of gas hydrate and free gas based on measurements of seismic-reflection amplitude variation with offset (AVO) for a bottom-simulating reflector coupled with rock-physics modeling. When we apply the approach to data from a seismic line in the Makran accretionary prism in the Arabian Sea, the results reveal lateral variations of gas-hydrate and free-gas saturations of 4–29% and 1–7.5%, respectively, depending on the rock-physics model used to relate seismic velocity to saturation. Our approach is simple and easy to implement.

Seismic Reflections of Rock Properties in a Clastic Environment

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vagif Suleymanov ◽  
Abdulhamid Almumtin ◽  
Guenther Glatz ◽  
Jack Dvorkin
Keyword(s):  
Rock Physics ◽  
Pore Fluid ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Petrophysical Properties ◽  
Sound Waves ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Field Guide ◽  
Physics Model ◽  
Rock Physics Model ◽  
Seismic Reflections

Abstract Generated by the propagation of sound waves, seismic reflections are essentially the reflections at the interface between various subsurface formations. Traditionally, these reflections are interpreted in a qualitative way by mapping subsurface geology without quantifying the rock properties inside the strata, namely the porosity, mineralogy, and pore fluid. This study aims to conduct the needed quantitative interpretation by the means of rock physics to establish the relation between rock elastic and petrophysical properties for reservoir characterization. We conduct rock physics diagnostics to find a theoretical rock physics model relevant to the data by examining the wireline data from a clastic depositional environment associated with a tight gas sandstone in the Continental US. First, we conduct the rock physics diagnostics by using theoretical fluid substitution to establish the relevant rock physics models. Once these models are determined, we theoretically vary the thickness of the intervals, the pore fluid, as well as the porosity and mineralogy to generate geologically plausible pseudo-scenarios. Finally, Zoeppritz (1919) equations are exploited to obtain the expected amplitude versus offset (AVO) and the gradient versus intercept curves of these scenarios. The relationship between elastic and petrophysical properties was established using forward seismic modeling. Several theoretical rock physics models, namely Raymer-Dvorkin, soft-sand, stiff-sand, and constant-cement models were applied to the wireline data under examination. The modeling assumes that only two minerals are present: quartz and clay. The appropriate rock physics model appears to be constant-cement model with a high coordination number. The result is a seismic reflection catalogue that can serve as a field guide for interpreting real seismic reflections, as well as to determine the seismic visibility of the variations in the reservoir geometry, the pore fluid, and the porosity. The obtained reservoir properties may be extrapolated to prospects away from the well control to consider certain what-if scenarios like plausible lithology or fluid variations. This enables building of a catalogue of synthetic seismic reflections of rock properties to be used by the interpreter as a field guide relating seismic data to volumetric reservoir properties.

A predictive anisotropic rock-physics model for estimating elastic rock properties of unconventional shale reservoirs

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
pp. 358-365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Colin M. Sayers ◽  
Sagnik Dasgupta
Keyword(s):  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
Seismic Inversion ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Anisotropic Rock ◽  
Rock Classification ◽  
Shale Reservoirs ◽  
Physics Model ◽  
Rock Physics Model

This paper presents a predictive rock-physics model for unconventional shale reservoirs based on an extended Maxwell scheme. This model accounts for intrinsic anisotropy of rock matrix and heterogeneities and shape-induced anisotropy arising because the dimensions of kerogen inclusions and pores are larger parallel to the bedding plane than perpendicular to this plane. The model relates the results of seismic amplitude variation with offset inversion, such as P- and S-impedance, to the composition of the rock and enables identification of rock classes such as calcareous, argillaceous, siliceous, and mixed shales. This allows the choice of locations with the best potential for economic production of hydrocarbons. While this can be done using well data, prestack inversion of seismic P-wave data allows identification of the best locations before the wells are drilled. The results clearly show the ambiguity in rock classification obtained using poststack inversion of P-wave seismic data and demonstrate the need for prestack seismic inversion. The model provides estimates of formation anisotropy, as required for accurate determination of P- and S-impedance, and shows that anisotropy is a function not only of clay content but also other components of the rock as well as the aspect ratio of kerogen and pores. Estimates of minimum horizontal stress based on the model demonstrate the need to identify rock class and estimate anisotropy to determine the location of any stress barriers that may inhibit hydraulic fracture growth.

Accuracy and effectiveness of three-dimensional controlled source electromagnetic data inversions

Geophysics ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. E83-E95
Author(s):  
Richard T. Houck ◽  
Adrian Ciucivara ◽  
Scott Hornbostel
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Rock Physics ◽  
Hydrocarbon Reservoirs ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Controlled Source ◽  
Electromagnetic Data ◽  
Fluid Properties ◽  
Rock Physics Modeling ◽  
Physics Modeling

Unconstrained 3D inversion of marine controlled source electromagnetic data (CSEM) data sets produces resistivity volumes that have an uncertain relationship to the true subsurface resistivity at the scale of typical hydrocarbon reservoirs. Furthermore, CSEM-scale resistivity is an ambiguous indicator of hydrocarbon presence; not all resistivity anomalies are caused by hydrocarbon reservoirs, and not all hydrocarbon reservoirs produce a distinct resistivity anomaly. We have developed a method for quantifying the effectiveness of resistivities from CSEM inversion in detecting hydrocarbon reservoirs. Our approach uses probabilistic rock-physics modeling to update information from a preexisting prospect assessment, based on uncertain resistivities from CSEM. The result is an estimate the probability of hydrocarbon presence that accounts for uncertainty in the resistivity and in rock properties. Examples using synthetic and real CSEM data sets demonstrate that the effectiveness of CSEM inversion in identifying hydrocarbon reservoirs depends on the interaction between the uncertainty associated with the inversion-derived resistivity and the range of rock and fluid properties that were expected for the targeted prospect. Resistivity uncertainty that has a small effect on hydrocarbon probability for one set of rock property distributions may have a large effect for a different set of rock properties. Depending on the consequences of this interaction, resistivities from CSEM inversion might reduce the risk associated with predictions of hydrocarbon presence, but they cannot be expected to guarantee a specific well outcome.

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