Use of Attributes on 3D Seismic Data for Studying Mishrif Formation in East Abu-Amoud Field, South-Eastern Iraq

The seismic method depends on the nature of the reflected waves from the interfaces between layers, which in turn depends on the density and velocity of the layer, and this is called acoustic impedance. The seismic sections of the East Abu-Amoud field that is located in Missan Province, south-eastern Iraq, were studied and interpreted for updating the structural picture of the major Mishrif Formation for the reservoir in the field. The Mishrif Formation is rich in petroleum in this area, with an area covering about 820 km2. The horizon was calibrated and defined on the seismic section with well logs data (well tops, check shot, sonic logs, and density logs) in the interpretation process to identify the upper and lower boundaries of the Formation. Seismic attributes were used to study the formation, including instantaneous phase attributes and relative acoustic impedance on time slice of 3D seismic data . Also, relative acoustic impedance was utilized to study the top of the Mishrif Formation. Based on these seismic attributes, karst features of the formation were identified. In addition, the nature of the lithology in the study area and the change in porosity were determined through the relative acoustic impedance The overlap of the top of the Mishrif Formation with the bottom of the Khasib Formation was determined because the Mishrif Formation is considered as an unconformity surface.

Stratigraphic Study for the Cretaceous-Tertiary period in Qasab-Jawan area in north weastern Iraq by using 2D seismic survey

A seismic study was conducted to re-interpret the Qasab and Jawan Oil fields in northwestern Iraq, south of the city of Mosul, by reprocessing many seismic sections of a number of field surveys by using the Petrel software. Two reflectors, represented by the Hartha formation, deposited during the Cretan age, and the Euphrates formation, formed during the Tertiary age, were delineated to stabilize the structural picture of these fields. The stratigraphic study showed that the Qasab and Jawan fields represent areas of hydrocarbon accumulation. Seismic attribute analysis showed low values of instantaneous frequency in the areas of hydrocarbon accumulation. Instantaneous phase was used to determine the limits of the sequence, the nature of sedimentation, and the type of vanishing, i.e. onlap vs. toplap. Low instantaneous amplitude values were recorded, indicating hydrocarbon reservoirs in the studied area. Various other seismic stratigraphic features were studied , including the distribution mound, flat spot, and channels in the two formations, but they were discontinuous because of the tectonic effects. These activities explain reasonably the distribution of hydrocarbons in the studied area.

3D Integrated Structural, Facies and Petrophysical Static Modeling Approach for Complex Sandstone Reservoirs: A Case Study from the Coniacian–Santonian Matulla Formation, July Oilfield, Gulf of Suez, Egypt

The Coniacian–Santonian Matulla Formation is one of the important reservoirs in the July oilfield, Gulf of Suez Basin. However, this formation is characterized by uncertainty due to the complexity of reservoir architecture, various lithologies, lateral facies variations and heterogeneous reservoir quality. These reservoir challenges, in turn, affect the effectiveness of further exploitation of this reservoir along the Gulf of Suez Basin. In this work, we conduct an integrated study using multidisciplinary datasets and techniques to determine the precise structural, petrophysical, and facies characteristics of the Matulla Formation and predict their complex geometry in 3D space. To complete this study, 30 2D seismic sections, five digital well logs, and core samples of 75 ft (ft = 0.3048 m) length were used to build 3D models for the Matulla reservoir. The 3D structural model shows strong lateral variation in thickness of the Matulla Formation with NW–SE, NE–SW and N–S fault directions. According to the 3D facies model, shale beds dominate the Matulla Formation, followed by sandstone, carbonate, and siltstone beds. The petrophysical model demonstrates the Matulla reservoir's ability to store and produce oil; its upper and lower zones have good quality reservoir, whereas its middle zone is a poor quality reservoir. The most promising areas for hydrocarbon accumulation and production via the Matulla reservoir are located in the central, southeast, and southwest sectors of the oilfield. In this approach, we combined multiple datasets and used the most likely parameters calibrated by core measurements to improve the reservoir modeling of the complex Matulla reservoir. In addition, we reduced many of the common uncertainties associated with the static modeling process, which can be applied elsewhere to gain better understanding of a complex reservoir.

Characterizing Concealed Fault Systems by Integrating Field Data Mapping and Laboratory Experiments: A Case Study of the Huawa Area in East China

Concealed faults can be important for understanding the regional structural geology and the subsurface fluid distribution. However, such faults are usually difficult to identify and characterize because of their small size and complex mechanism. To address this issue, we present an integrated approach of three-dimensional seismic data mapping and physical modeling experiments to examine the geometrical and kinematic characteristics of concealed faults and their relationship with the main faults in the Huawa area, east China. Three series of experiments were designed to characterize the differences in the scale of concealed faults and main faults, which also allowed us to examine how the concealed faults grow with the main faults in the area. Through this integrated study, we have demonstrated that: 1) NE-SW-striking concealed faults are below the resolution of the available seismic datasets and not easily recognized in seismic sections and that most of them grew later than the E-W-striking main faults, with some of them having grown at the same time; 2) pre-existing faults, rather than asymmetry of the basin structure, affect the faults that develop during subsequent episodes of extension; 3) E-W-striking pre-existing faults under a NW-SE stress direction of extension are most likely the formation mechanism of concealed faults. This study is of reference value in the interpretation of concealed faults in other regions.

2D Seismic Reflection Study for Zubair Formation in East Nasiriya area, Southern Iraq

An interpretive (structural and stratigraphic) study of the two,-dimensional seismic, data of East Nasiriya area (30 km to the south east of Nasiriya oil field within Thi-Qar province, southeastern Iraq) was carried out using Petrel 2017 program. The study area has an importance due to its location between many oil fields, but still without exploration of oil wells. Twenty five seismic lines were used, date back to different types of seismic surveys conducted in the region at different time periods. Also, the seismic velocity surveys of the nearest wells to oil fields, such as Nasiriya-1 and Subba-8, in addition to their sonic and density logs were used. A synthetic seismogram with a good matching with the seismic section was achieved to ensure the identification of the reflectors and reflectivity type (peak or trough) and follow up each one through the whole area of interest. Top Zubair reflector was picked using the composite line to link the seismic sections with each other after enhancing the ties between seismic lines. Time and depth maps were made using velocity maps created from the velocity model. The seismic, interpretation, in the area showed the existence of certain stratigraphic, features, in the ,studied reflector. Some distribution mounds and sand lenses were observed in the study area, which are continuous in more than two-dimensional seismic line in the area. These activity elements provide a reasonable explanation for the distribution of hydrocarbons in the area of study.

3-D Seismic Structural Interpretation of High Field Offshore Western Niger Delta

Seismic Structural interpretation of subsurface system is a vital tool in mapping source rocks and good trapping system which enhances good understanding of the subsurface system for productive drilling operation. This study is geared towards mapping the structural traps available within the hydrocarbon bearing zones of the “High field” with the use of well log and 3D seismic data. Seven horizons (H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6 and H7) were identified on well logs using gamma ray log and resistivity logs. Nine (9) faults were mapped on seismic sections across the field, two (2) of which are major growth faults (F1 and F2), two (2) synthetic faults (F3 and F7) and five (5) antithetic faults (F4, F5, F6, F8 and F9). Rollover anticlines which are structural closure and displayed on the depth structural maps suggest probable hydrocarbon accumulation at the down throw side of the fault F1. Structural interpretation of high field has revealed a highly fault assisted reservoir which depicts the tectonic setting of Niger Delta basin.

From marginal outcrops to basin interior: a new perspective on the sedimentary evolution of the eastern Pannonian Basin

Sedimentary successions exposed at basin margins as a result of late-stage inversion, uplift and erosion usually represent only a limited portion of the entire basin fill; thus, they are highly incomplete records of basin evolution. Small satellite basins, however, might have the potential of recording more complete histories. The late Miocene sedimentary history of the Șimleu Basin, a north-eastern satellite of the vast Pannonian Basin, was investigated through the study of large outcrops and correlative well-logs. A full transgressive–regressive cycle is reconstructed, which formed within a ca. 1 million-year time frame (10.6–9.6 Ma). The transgressive phase is represented by coarse-grained deltas overlain by deep-water lacustrine marls. Onset of the regressive phase is indicated by sandy turbidite lobes and channels, followed by slope shales, and topped by stacked deltaic lobes and fluvial deposits. The deep- to shallow-water sedimentary facies are similar to those deposited in the central, deep part of the Pannonian Basin. The Șimleu Basin is thus a close and almost complete outcrop analogue of the Pannonian Basin’s lacustrine sedimentary record known mainly from subsurface data, such as well-logs, cores and seismic sections from the basin interior. This study demonstrates that deposits of small satellite basins may reflect the whole sequence of processes that shaped the major basin, although at a smaller spatial and temporal scale.

Structural Interpretation of Seismic Data of Mishrif Formation in East Abu-Amoud Field, South-eastern Iraq

The seismic method depends on the nature of the reflected waves from the interfaces between layers, which in turn depends on the density and velocity of the layer, and this is called acoustic impedance. The seismic sections of the East Abu-Amoud field that is located in Missan Province, south-eastern Iraq, were studied and interpreted for updating the structural picture of the major Mishrif Formation for the reservoir in the Abu-amoud field. The Mishrif Formation is rich in petroleum in this area, with an area covering about 820 km2. The seismic interpretation of this study was carried out utilizing the software of Petrel-2017. The horizon was calibrated and defined on the seismic section with well-logs data (well tops, check shot, sonic logs, and density logs) in the interpretations process for identifying the upper and lower boundaries of Mishrif Formation. As well, mapping of two-way time and depth structural maps was carried out, to aid in understanding the lateral and vertical variations and to show the formation of the structural surfaces. The study found that Mishrif thickness increases toward the east, which means that it increases from the Abu-Amoud field in Nasiriyah towards the East Abu-Amoud field in Missan province. The aim of the study is to draw a high-resolution structural image of the East Abu Amoud field in southeast Iraq and to show the types of the existing faults and structures in the study area.

Comprehensive assessment and analysis of the oil and gas potential of Meso-Cenozoic sediments in the North Caucasus

At the present stage, the development of the oil and gas industry in the Russian Federation is impossible without replenishing the raw material base, so the urgent task is to conduct investigations, prospecting and evaluation of oil and gas bearing capacity prospects in undiscovered areas. The purpose of the investigations is to analyze facies and thicknesses, choose the methodology of prospecting and exploration in reservoirs, make a comprehensive assessment of oil and gas bearing capacity prospects based on experimental investigations and construct a map of oil and gas bearing capacity prospects of the studied sediment structure. The methodology of the conducted investigations was to identify and trace zones of increased fracturing by qualitative interpretation of time seismic sections. Methods for qualitative interpretation of time seismic sections, the model of physical, chemical and geochemical criteria developed by I.A.Burlakov, gas and geochemical surveying and correlation analysis were used in the investigations. A number of prospecting criteria, established based on the analysis of reference seismic materials on well-studied areas in comparison with the results of well tests, were also used. Structural plan for forecast prospects of oil and gas bearing capacity in the studied area was made; zonal and local objects with prospects for oil and gas were identified. Graphical plotting of Eh and pH concentrations distribution and various gas and geochemical indicators allowed identifying zones of possible oil and gas accumulations and starting their detailed survey. Processing of gas and geochemical materials by means of software allowed efficient assessment of prospects for oil and gas bearing capacity of the investigated objects.

Blind Inversion of Multidimensional Seismic Data Using Sequential Tikhonov and Total Variation Regularizations (STTVR)

The acoustic impedance (AI) model is key data for seismic interpretation, usually obtained from its nonlinear relation with seismic reflectivity. Common approaches use initial geological and seismic information to constraint the AI model estimation. When no accurate prior information is available, these approaches may dictate false results at some parts of the model. The regularization of ill-posed underdetermined problems requires some constraints to restrict the possible results. Available seismic inversion methods mostly use Tikhonov or total variation (TV) regularizations with some adjustments. Tikhonov regularization assumes smooth variation in the AI model, and it is incurious about the rapid changes in the model. TV allows rapid changes, and it is more stable in presence of noisy data. In a detailed realistic earth model that AI changes gradually, TV creates a stair-casing effect, which could lead to misinterpretation. This could be avoided by using TV and Tikhonov regularization sequentially in the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) and creating the AI model. The result of implementing the proposed algorithm (STTVR) on 2D synthetic and real seismic sections shows that the smaller details in the lithological variations are accounted for as well as the general trend. STTVR can calculate major AI variations without any additional low-frequency constraints. The temporal and spatial transition of the calculated AI in real seismic data is gradual and close to a real geological setting.