Rock property modelling and sensitivity analysis for hydrocarbon exploration in OSSY field, Niger Delta Basin

The application of quantitative interpretation techniques for hydrocarbon prospect evaluation from seismic has become so vital. The effective employment of these techniques is dependent on several factors: the quality of the seismic and well data, sparseness of data, the physics of rock, lithological and structural complexity of the field. This study adopts reflection pattern, amplitude versus offset (AVO), Biot–Gassmann fluid substitution and cross-plot models to understand the physics of the reservoir rocks in the field by examining the sensitivity of the basic rock properties; P-wave velocity, S-wave velocity and density, to variation in lithology and fluid types in the pore spaces of reservoirs. This is to ascertain the applicability of quantitative seismic interpretation techniques to explore hydrocarbon prospect in the studied field. The results of reflection pattern and AVO models revealed that the depth of interest is dominated by Class IV AVO sands with a high negative zero offset reflectivity that reduces with offset. The AVO intercept versus gradient plot indicated that both brine and hydrocarbon bearing sands can be discriminated on seismic. Fluid substitution modelling results revealed that the rock properties will favourably respond to variation in oil saturation, but as little as 5% gas presence will result in huge change in the rock properties, which will remain constant upon further increments of gas saturation, thereby making it difficult to differentiate between economical and sub-economical saturations of gas on seismic data. Rock physics cross-plot models revealed separate cluster points typical of shale presence, brine sands and hydrocarbon bearing sands. Thus, the response of the rock properties to the modelling processes adopted favours the application of quantitative interpretation techniques to evaluate hydrocarbon in the field.

Geophysical investigation using the GPR method: a case study of a lead contamination in Santo Amaro, Bahia, Brazil

<p>The town of Santo Amaro, in the state of Bahia, Brazil, presents a history of contamination, mainly of lead (Pb) originating from the intense activity of metallurgical extraction by the mining company “Plumbum-Mineração e Metalurgia Ltda.” between the years of 1956 and 1993. Over this period, the lead slag was deposited carelessly in the factory area, creating a huge hazardous waste site. Subsequently, the problem increased when this slag was used as the basis for the paving of city streets, gardens, and school yards due to its granular characteristic and good support capacity. However, the ongoing need to remove the street paving for work on the water and sewage networks requires the exposure of the slag, making it a source of active contamination. In this context, the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) method was used as a tool to support and guide the evaluation of the existence of anomalous areas associated with the source of local contamination (slag) under the paving. In this work the data was acquired by moving the GPR using the of constant offset technique and a sampling interval of 5 cm between the traces. The shoots and trace records were registered continuously with the use of a calibrated wheel. The results obtained by this study show the potential of applying the GPR method to the environmental characterization of the subsoil of paved streets, making it possible to identify the resistive material contaminants (lead slag) as well as the various layers: paving, soil-slag, and massapê soil. These layers are characterized by distinct reflection patterns. The first observed reflection pattern has high amplitude with horizontal and continuous reflectors, which correspond to a characteristic pattern of urban street paving. The second reflection pattern is characterized by reflectors with amplitude variations (horizontal and inclined, continuous and discontinuous), which indicate the heterogeneity of the medium and corresponds to the soil pattern mixed with the resistive slag material. The third reflection pattern is characterized by low amplitude with chaotic and totally discontinuous reflectors, and occurs just below the second reflection pattern. This pattern of reflection marks the region in which the electromagnetic GPR signal is absorbed by the medium. This absorption is an effect of the attenuation of the electromagnetic signal by the presence of electrically conductive layers of the characteristic massapê soil (clayey to very clayey) of the study area. GPR data also enabled the identification of reflectors associated with anthropogenic interferences (manholes, train lines, pipelines, etc.). Borehole samples confirmed the existence of the contaminant (lead slag). Anomalous concentrations of heavy metals, mainly lead, were observed in the locations indicated by geophysical results using the GPR method, showing the importance of the use of geophysics in environmental characterization programs.</p>

FORM OF SEISMIC HORIZON ON TIME SECTION AND REFLECTED WAVE COMMON SHOT POINT TRAVEL TIME CURVE IN TRANSITION ZONE FOR THE CASE OF COMPLICATION OF TARGET HORIZON COVER BY FAULT

The paper is devoted to study of reflection pattern (seismic horizon) and CSP travel time curve of reflected wave when the base of seismic oscillations receivers is within transition zone, i.e. the portion of base is in one flank while the other part is already in the next flank. The equation has been derived for travel time curve of zero-offset survey, i.e. reflection pattern) for the case when target horizon cover is complicated by fault. The other equation derived is the equation of traveltime curve of CSP of reflected wave, which upgoing rays are refracted on the fault line. For this, we have used the equation of traveltime curve of normal reflections refracted on the fault line. Based on derived formulae we have calculated traveltime curves of CSP for various models of environment. Analysis of these models has shown that while passing through seismic waves receiver base over the faulted zone the travel time curve is divided into two cuts with differing curvature and various time offsets relative to each other depending on velocity section difference from the fault line leading to the impression that these two cuts are not the sections of the same travel time curve.