scholarly journals Time-Lapse Seismic Monitoring of Onshore Reservoirs in Niger Delta, Field ‘K’ as a Case Study

Author(s):  
A. Ogbamikhumi ◽  
T. Tralagba ◽  
E. E. Osagiede

Field ‘K’ is a mature field in the coastal swamp onshore Niger delta, which has been producing since 1960. As a huge producing field with some potential for further sustainable production, field monitoring is therefore important in the identification of areas of unproduced hydrocarbon. This can be achieved by comparing production data with the corresponding changes in acoustic impedance observed in the maps generated from base survey (initial 3D seismic) and monitor seismic survey (4D seismic) across the field. This will enable the 4D seismic data set to be used for mapping reservoir details such as advancing water front and un-swept zones. The availability of good quality onshore time-lapse seismic data for Field ‘K’ acquired in 1987 and 2002 provided the opportunity to evaluate the effect of changes in reservoir fluid saturations on time-lapse amplitudes. Rock physics modelling and fluid substitution studies on well logs were carried out, and acoustic impedance change in the reservoir was estimated to be in the range of 0.25% to about 8%. Changes in reservoir fluid saturations were confirmed with time-lapse amplitudes within the crest area of the reservoir structure where reservoir porosity is 0.25%. In this paper, we demonstrated the use of repeat Seismic to delineate swept zones and areas hit with water override in a producing onshore reservoir.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 569-578
Author(s):  
C. G. Okeugo ◽  
K. M. Onuoha ◽  
A. C. Ekwe

AbstractThe Ozifa reservoir is proven reservoir that cuts across the Northern and Greater Ughelli depo-belts of the Niger Delta Basin. This reservoir possesses heterogenous character southward of the field, making elastic properties, lithologies and fluid types difficult to describe accurately. In this study, rock physics template was applied to porosity and acoustic impedance (AI) crossplot clusters to illustrate rock–fluid relationships using modified Hashin–Shtrikman upper bound, Voigt upper bound and Reuss lower bound, as an input in the template. Values of acoustic impedance and porosity were used as lithofacies classification parameters for discrimination of lithofacies and fluid types. Our result showed that modified Hashin–Shtrikman upper bound line when applied in acoustic impedance (AI) and porosities (φ) crossplot domain discriminated gas-filled reservoirs from brine filled reservoirs and shale effectively. Similarly, results from crossplot showed clear separation of shale, heteroliths filled with brine and gas bearing sand, which was not plausible using conventional petrophysical analysis. This approach was successfully applied in analysing lithofacies and fluid relationship in different well locations and serves as a model for successful prediction of different lithology and fluid types, a major requirement for determining effects of geological variables such as sorting, clay distributions on the reservoir connectivity and optimum production using time-lapse (4D) seismic interpretation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (03) ◽  
pp. 391-402
Author(s):  
Sunday Amoyedo ◽  
Emmanuel Ekut ◽  
Rasaki Salami ◽  
Liliana Goncalves-Ferreira ◽  
Pascal Desegaulx

Summary This paper presents case studies focused on the interpretation and integration of seismic reservoir monitoring from several fields in conventional offshore and deepwater Niger Delta. The fields are characterized by different geological settings and development-maturity stages. We show different applications varying from qualitative to quantitative use of time-lapse (4D) seismic information. In the first case study, which is in shallow water, the field has specific reservoir-development challenges, simple geology, and is in phased development. On this field, 4D seismic, which was acquired several years ago, is characterized by poor seismic repeatability. Nevertheless, we show that because of improvements from seismic reprocessing, 4D seismic makes qualitative contributions to the ongoing field development. In the second case study, the field is characterized by complex geological settings. The 4D seismic is affected by overburden with strong lateral variations in velocity and steeply dipping structure (up to 40°). Prestack-depth-imaging (PSDM) 4D seismic is used in a more-qualitative manner to monitor gas injection, validate the geologic/reservoir models, optimize infill injector placement, and consequently, enhance field-development economics. The third case study presents a deep offshore field characterized by a complex depositional system for some reservoirs. In this example, good 4D-seismic repeatability (sum of source- and receiver-placement differences between surveys, dS+dR) is achieved, leading to an increased quantitative use of 4D monitoring for the assessment of sand/sand communication, mapping of oil/water (OWC) front, pressure evolution, and dynamic calibration of petro-elastic model (PEM), and also as a seismic-based production-logging tool. In addition, 4D seismic is used to update seismic interpretation, provide a better understanding of internal architecture of the reservoirs units, and, thereby, yield a more-robust reservoir model. The 4D seismic in this field is a key tool for field-development optimization and reservoir management. The last case study illustrates the need for seismic-feasibility studies to detect 4D responses related to production. In addition to assessing the impact of the field environment on the 4D- seismic signal, these studies also help in choosing the optimum seismic-survey type, design, and acquisition parameters. These studies would possibly lead to the adoption of new technologies such as broad-band streamer or nodes acquisition in the near future.


Geophysics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (4) ◽  
pp. M41-M48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongwei Liu ◽  
Mustafa Naser Al-Ali

The ideal approach for continuous reservoir monitoring allows generation of fast and accurate images to cope with the massive data sets acquired for such a task. Conventionally, rigorous depth-oriented velocity-estimation methods are performed to produce sufficiently accurate velocity models. Unlike the traditional way, the target-oriented imaging technology based on the common-focus point (CFP) theory can be an alternative for continuous reservoir monitoring. The solution is based on a robust data-driven iterative operator updating strategy without deriving a detailed velocity model. The same focusing operator is applied on successive 3D seismic data sets for the first time to generate efficient and accurate 4D target-oriented seismic stacked images from time-lapse field seismic data sets acquired in a [Formula: see text] injection project in Saudi Arabia. Using the focusing operator, target-oriented prestack angle domain common-image gathers (ADCIGs) could be derived to perform amplitude-versus-angle analysis. To preserve the amplitude information in the ADCIGs, an amplitude-balancing factor is applied by embedding a synthetic data set using the real acquisition geometry to remove the geometry imprint artifact. Applying the CFP-based target-oriented imaging to time-lapse data sets revealed changes at the reservoir level in the poststack and prestack time-lapse signals, which is consistent with the [Formula: see text] injection history and rock physics.


Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. M1-M13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yichuan Wang ◽  
Igor B. Morozov

For seismic monitoring injected fluids during enhanced oil recovery or geologic [Formula: see text] sequestration, it is useful to measure time-lapse (TL) variations of acoustic impedance (AI). AI gives direct connections to the mechanical and fluid-related properties of the reservoir or [Formula: see text] storage site; however, evaluation of its subtle TL variations is complicated by the low-frequency and scaling uncertainties of this attribute. We have developed three enhancements of TL AI analysis to resolve these issues. First, following waveform calibration (cross-equalization) of the monitor seismic data sets to the baseline one, the reflectivity difference was evaluated from the attributes measured during the calibration. Second, a robust approach to AI inversion was applied to the baseline data set, based on calibration of the records by using the well-log data and spatially variant stacking and interval velocities derived during seismic data processing. This inversion method is straightforward and does not require subjective selections of parameterization and regularization schemes. Unlike joint or statistical inverse approaches, this method does not require prior models and produces accurate fitting of the observed reflectivity. Third, the TL AI difference is obtained directly from the baseline AI and reflectivity difference but without the uncertainty-prone subtraction of AI volumes from different seismic vintages. The above approaches are applied to TL data sets from the Weyburn [Formula: see text] sequestration project in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. High-quality baseline and TL AI-difference volumes are obtained. TL variations within the reservoir zone are observed in the calibration time-shift, reflectivity-difference, and AI-difference images, which are interpreted as being related to the [Formula: see text] injection.


Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. B243-B252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Bergmann ◽  
Artem Kashubin ◽  
Monika Ivandic ◽  
Stefan Lüth ◽  
Christopher Juhlin

A method for static correction of time-lapse differences in reflection arrival times of time-lapse prestack seismic data is presented. These arrival-time differences are typically caused by changes in the near-surface velocities between the acquisitions and had a detrimental impact on time-lapse seismic imaging. Trace-to-trace time shifts of the data sets from different vintages are determined by crosscorrelations. The time shifts are decomposed in a surface-consistent manner, which yields static corrections that tie the repeat data to the baseline data. Hence, this approach implies that new refraction static corrections for the repeat data sets are unnecessary. The approach is demonstrated on a 4D seismic data set from the Ketzin [Formula: see text] pilot storage site, Germany, and is compared with the result of an initial processing that was based on separate refraction static corrections. It is shown that the time-lapse difference static correction approach reduces 4D noise more effectively than separate refraction static corrections and is significantly less labor intensive.


Geophysics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. IM1-IM12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meng Li ◽  
Zhen Liu ◽  
Minzhu Liu ◽  
Huilai Zhang

Subtraction of baseline and monitoring seismic data is a common step in highlighting reservoir changes in time-lapse seismic interpretation. However, ambiguity exists in the interpretation of the amplitude difference, which is controlled by fluid change and reservoir thickness. To estimate the residual oil saturation quantitatively, we have developed a time-lapse seismic interpretation method that uses the ratio of amplitude attributes extracted from the baseline and monitoring seismic data. The relationship between impedance change and the ratio of the baseline and monitoring amplitude attributes is determined to avoid the influence of reservoir thickness. Subsequently, the fluid saturation is calculated from the impedance change by using a proper petrophysical relationship. We have tested our new method on a real time-lapse seismic data set from a water-flooded reservoir in the deepwater area of West Africa. The water-flooded area determined from the amplitude difference does not completely match the production logs because of the influence of variations in the reservoir thickness. However, the residual oil distribution calculated with the proposed method matches the production logs well. The connectivity of sandstone bodies is also evaluated based on an integrated interpretation of estimated oil saturation. With its simple principles and easy accessibility, our method improves the accuracy of time-lapse seismic data interpretation in water-flooded oil reservoirs. Furthermore, the quantitative interpretation of fluid change enables the time-lapse seismic technology to guide reservoir development directly.


Geophysics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 836-844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Landrø

Explicit expressions for computing saturation‐ and pressure‐related changes from time‐lapse seismic data have been derived and tested on a real time‐lapse seismic data set. Necessary input is near‐and far‐offset stacks for the baseline seismic survey and the repeat survey. The method has been tested successfully in a segment where pressure measurements in two wells verify a pore‐pressure increase of 5 to 6 MPa between the baseline survey and the monitor survey. Estimated pressure changes using the proposed relationships fit very well with observations. Between the baseline and monitor seismic surveys, 27% of the estimated recoverable hydrocarbon reserves were produced from this segment. The estimated saturation changes also agree well with observed changes, apart from some areas in the water zone that are mapped as being exposed to saturation changes (which is unlikely). Saturation changes in other segments close to the original oil‐water contact and the top reservoir interface are also estimated and confirmed by observations in various wells.


2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 470
Author(s):  
Stanislav Kuzmin ◽  
Mauricio Florez ◽  
Guy Duncan ◽  
Konstantinos Kostas

Rock physics modelling of the time-lapse seismic response of the Pyrenees Field was carried out to evaluate the feasibility of monitoring reservoir drainage and performance. Initially, the purpose of 4D seismic was to monitor the upward displacement of the oil-water contact. It was recognised that the likelihood of gas breakout imposed a significant risk to the feasibility of monitoring the oil-water contact. Models for different scenarios were used to assess this uncertainty and demonstrated that, in either case, an observable change in seismic properties would occur, providing technical support for 4D seismic acquisition. The monitor seismic survey acquired in 2013, showed detectable changes in both interval velocity and reflectivity that was associated with gas coming out of solution in the reservoir, where depletion occurred below the bubble point. This agrees with pre-acquisition predictions based on rock physics modelling. Additional rock physics analysis was carried out to calibrate the observed 4D response to changes in both fluid saturation and effective stress.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 488-496
Author(s):  
Lee Jean Wong ◽  
Hamed Amini ◽  
Colin MacBeth

A legacy seismic data set from 2001 and 2011 was used for time-lapse interpretation over a Brazilian carbonate reservoir in Field-X of Campos Basin. The acquired 4D seismic data set was noisy and initially deemed to be uninterpretable. Pressure data were limited, and the initial simulation model was poorly calibrated. All of these challenges warranted the need to establish an interdisciplinary interpretation workflow. In this paper, we introduce a tiered integrated approach to optimize data value from multiple sources. The results of interwell connectivity from production data analysis were used as a basis for assignment of 4D signal confidence flags, which were later combined with simulation-to-seismic modeling of history-matched realizations, enabling interpretation efforts of the noisy 4D seismic data set. This integrated approach led to identification of the injected water front and a potential sweet spot for an infill well.


Geophysics ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. C81-C92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helene Hafslund Veire ◽  
Hilde Grude Borgos ◽  
Martin Landrø

Effects of pressure and fluid saturation can have the same degree of impact on seismic amplitudes and differential traveltimes in the reservoir interval; thus, they are often inseparable by analysis of a single stacked seismic data set. In such cases, time-lapse AVO analysis offers an opportunity to discriminate between the two effects. We quantify the uncertainty in estimations to utilize information about pressure- and saturation-related changes in reservoir modeling and simulation. One way of analyzing uncertainties is to formulate the problem in a Bayesian framework. Here, the solution of the problem will be represented by a probability density function (PDF), providing estimations of uncertainties as well as direct estimations of the properties. A stochastic model for estimation of pressure and saturation changes from time-lapse seismic AVO data is investigated within a Bayesian framework. Well-known rock physical relationships are used to set up a prior stochastic model. PP reflection coefficient differences are used to establish a likelihood model for linking reservoir variables and time-lapse seismic data. The methodology incorporates correlation between different variables of the model as well as spatial dependencies for each of the variables. In addition, information about possible bottlenecks causing large uncertainties in the estimations can be identified through sensitivity analysis of the system. The method has been tested on 1D synthetic data and on field time-lapse seismic AVO data from the Gullfaks Field in the North Sea.


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