Amplitude map analysis using forward modeling in sandstone and carbonate reservoirs

Geophysics ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 58 (10) ◽  
pp. 1428-1441 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis B. Neff

The extent to which seismic amplitude maps can contribute to the analysis of hydrocarbon reservoirs was investigated for clastic and carbonate reservoirs worldwide. By using a petrophysical‐based, forward modeling process called incremental pay thickness (IPT) modeling, five lithology types were quantitatively analyzed for the interplay of seismic amplitude versus lithology, porosity, hydrocarbon pore fluid saturation, bedding geometries, and reservoir thickness. The studies identified three common tuning curve shapes (concave, convex, and bilinear) that were primarily dependent upon the lithology model type and the average net porosity therein. While the reliability of pay and porosity predictions from amplitude maps varied for each model type, all analyses showed a limited thickness range for which amplitude data could successfully predict net porosity thickness or hydrocarbon pore volume. The investigation showed that systematic forward modeling is required before amplitude maps can be properly interpreted.

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne Pennington ◽  
Mohamed Ibrahim ◽  
Roger Turpening ◽  
Sean Trisch ◽  
Josh Richardson ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 38 (10) ◽  
pp. 754-761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liqin Sang ◽  
Uwe Klein-Helmkamp ◽  
Andrew Cook ◽  
Juan R. Jimenez

Seismic direct hydrocarbon indicators (DHIs) are routinely used in the identification of hydrocarbon reservoirs and in the positioning of drilling targets. Understanding seismic amplitude reliability and character, including amplitude variation with offset (AVO), is key to correct interpretation of the DHI and to enable confident assessment of the commercial viability of the reservoir targets. In many cases, our interpretation is impeded by limited availability of data that are often less than perfect. Here, we present a seismic quantitative interpretation (QI) workflow that made the best out of imperfect data and managed to successfully derisk a multiwell drilling campaign in the Auger and Andros basins in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico. Data challenges included azimuthal illumination effects caused by the presence of the Auger salt dome, sand thickness below tuning, and long-term production effects that are hard to quantify without dedicated time-lapse seismic. In addition, seismic vintages with varying acquisition geometries led to different QI predictions that further complicated the interpretation story. Given these challenges, we implemented an amplitude derisking workflow that combined ray-based illumination assessments and prestack data observations to guide selection of the optimal seismic data set(s) for QI analysis. This was followed by forward modeling to quantify the fluid saturation and sand thickness effects on seismic amplitude. Combined with structural geology analysis of the well targets, this workflow succeeded in significantly reducing the risk of the proposed opportunities. The work also highlighted potential pitfalls in AVO interpretation, including AVO inversion for the characterization of reservoirs near salt, while providing a workflow for prestack amplitude quality control prior to inversion. The workflow is adaptable to specific target conditions and can be executed in a time-efficient manner. It has been applied to multiple infill well opportunities, but for simplicity reasons here, we demonstrate the application on a single well target.


Geophysics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. R135-R146
Author(s):  
Huaizhen Chen ◽  
Tiansheng Chen ◽  
Kristopher A. Innanen

Tilted transverse isotropy (TTI) provides a useful model for the elastic response of a medium containing aligned fractures with a symmetry axis oriented obliquely in the vertical and horizontal coordinate directions. Robust methods for determining the TTI properties of a medium from seismic observations to characterize fractures are sought. Azimuthal differencing of seismic amplitude data produces quantities that are particularly sensitive to TTI properties. Based on the linear slip fracture model, we express the TTI stiffness matrix in terms of the normal and tangential fracture weaknesses. Perturbing stiffness parameters to simulate an interface separating an isotropic medium and a TTI medium, we derive a linearized P-to-P reflection coefficient expression in which the influence of tilt angle and fracture weaknesses separately emerge. We formulate a Bayesian inversion approach in which amplitude differences between seismic data along two azimuths, interpreted in terms of the reflection coefficient approximation, are used to determine fracture weaknesses and tilt angle. Tests with simulated data confirm that the unknown parameter vector involving fracture weakness and tilted fracture weaknesses is stably estimated from seismic data containing a moderate degree of additive Gaussian noise. The inversion approach is applied to a field surface seismic data acquired over a fractured reservoir; from it, interpretable tilted fracture weaknesses, consistent with expected reservoir geology, are obtained. We determine that our inversion approach and the established inversion workflow can produce the properties of systems of tilted fractures stably using azimuthal seismic amplitude differences, which may add important information for characterization of fractured reservoirs.


2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 437 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guillaume Backé ◽  
Ernest Swierczek ◽  
Justin MacDonald ◽  
Adam Bailey ◽  
David Tassone ◽  
...  

In this paper, different 3D seismic attributes calculated to improve the accuracy and robustness of structural interpretations in several energy-rich Australian basins are compared. Detailed and precise fault and fracture maps are crucial not only for initial petroleum play assessment, but also for fault seal analysis and reservoir integrity studies. Robust fault and fracture models are also needed to improve the design of reservoir simulation programs and to manage the long-term containment of gas in geological formations. Different attributes (including coherency, dip-steered similarity, dip-steered median filter, dip-steered variance, apparent dip, and dip-steered most-positive and most-negative curvatures) from an array of 3D seismic datasets to better image structural fabrics, such as normal and different fractures patterns, in the North Perth, Cooper, Ceduna, Otway and Gippsland basins have been calculated. The results provide a remarkable improvement in the quality and precision of structural maps using this multi-attribute mapping workflow by comparison with more conventional maps produced, solely using seismic amplitude data. The key to the successful application of multi-attribute structural analysis, however, remains with the ability of the interpreter to identify meaningful structural information from a large volume of data. Thus, the structural expertise of the interpreter remains as the cornerstone to making geological sense of the various seismic processing techniques available.


2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 501-515 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.D. Santos ◽  
S.L. Schlindwein ◽  
A.C. Fantini ◽  
M.C.N. Belderrain ◽  
G. Montibeller ◽  
...  

The study reported here aimed at presenting the structuring of a complex problem that emerges from contrasting perspectives of different stakeholders on the use and conservation of native forests in a context where regulations restrict their management, as occurs in Santa Catarina State, Brazil. The methodology adopted in this work consisted both in the construction of a causal map, based on interviews with stakeholders of Santa Catarina native forests, and in the analysis of the map using techniques of the Strategic Options Development and Analysis (SODA) approach. The analyses carried out indicated that the economic valuation of forest resources as well as the monitoring of forest cover are key issues for the management of Santa Catarina's native forests. In addition, the information generated by the causal map analysis can assist not only the process of designing innovative and all-inclusive policies for the management of native forests, but also the modeling process based on Systems Dynamics in order to evaluate the impacts of policies on the dynamics that govern the conservation and use of the resources of native forests. The adopted SODA approach also proved to be effective in structuring the complex problem situation addressed in this study.


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