scholarly journals Investigation of core data reliability to support time-lapse interpretation in Campos Basin, Brazil

Geophysics ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. E59-E65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos Hexsel Grochau ◽  
Boris Gurevich

Quantitative interpretation of time-lapse seismic data requires knowledge of saturation and pressure effects on seismic velocities. Although the former can usually be modeled adequately using the Gassmann equation, the latter is obtained mainly by laboratory measurements, which can be affected by core damage. We investigate the magnitude of this effect on compressional-wave velocities by comparing laboratory experiments and log measurements. We use Gassmann fluid substitution to obtain low-frequency saturated velocities from dry core measurements (thus mitigating the dispersion effects) taken at reservoir pressure. The analysis is performed for an unusual densely cored well from which 43 cores were extracted over a [Formula: see text]-thick turbidite reservoir. These computed velocities show very good agreement with the sonic-log measurements. This confirms that, for this particular region, the effect of core damage on ultrasonic measurements is less than the measurement error. Consequently, stress sensitivity of elastic properties as obtained from ultrasonic measurements is adequate for quantitative interpretation of time-lapse seismic data.

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 480-487
Author(s):  
Patrick Smith ◽  
Brandon Mattox

The P-Cable high-resolution 3D marine acquisition system tows many short, closely separated streamers behind a small source. It can provide 3D seismic data of very high temporal and spatial resolution. Since the system is containerized and has small dimensions, it can be deployed at short notice and relatively low cost, making it attractive for time-lapse seismic reservoir monitoring. During acquisition of a 3D high-resolution survey in the Gulf of Mexico in 2014, a pair of sail lines were repeated to form a time-lapse seismic test. We processed these in 2019 to evaluate their geometric and seismic repeatability. Geometric repetition accuracy was excellent, with source repositioning errors below 10 m and bin-based receiver positioning errors below 6.25 m. Seismic data comparisons showed normalized root-mean-square difference values below 10% between 40 and 150 Hz. Refinements to the acquisition system since 2014 are expected to further improve repeatability of the low-frequency components. Residual energy on 4D difference seismic data was low, and timing stability was good. We conclude that the acquisition system is well suited to time-lapse seismic surveying in areas where the reservoir and time-lapse seismic signal can be adequately imaged by small-source, short-offset, low-fold data.


Geophysics ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. O39-O50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Øyvind Kvam ◽  
Martin Landrø

In an exploration context, pore-pressure prediction from seismic data relies on the fact that seismic velocities depend on pore pressure. Conventional velocity analysis is a tool that may form the basis for obtaining interval velocities for this purpose. However, velocity analysis is inaccurate, and in this paper we focus on the possibilities and limitations of using velocity analysis for pore-pressure prediction. A time-lapse seismic data set from a segment that has undergone a pore-pressure increase of 5 to 7 MPa between the two surveys is analyzed for velocity changes using detailed velocity analysis. A synthetic time-lapse survey is used to test the sensitivity of the velocity analysis with respect to noise. The analysis shows that the pore-pressure increase cannot be detected by conventional velocity analysis because the uncertainty is much greater than the expected velocity change for a reservoir of the given thickness and burial depth. Finally, by applying amplitude-variation-with-offset (AVO) analysis to the same data, we demonstrate that seismic amplitude analysis may yield more precise information about velocity changes than velocity analysis.


Geophysics ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-45
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Anthony ◽  
Nimisha Vedanti

The detection and underlying mechanism of prospect-scale seismic low-frequency shadows (LFS) has been an issue of debate. Even though the concept of LFS is widely accepted, the practical applicability of the method remains limited due to few real field case studies and little understanding of the underlying attenuation mechanism. To characterize the attenuation phenomenon responsible for the occurrence of LFS in CO2 saturated formations, we use the diffusivity and viscosity of the fluid saturated medium to derive a complex velocity function that characterizes a high-frequency attenuation phenomenon responsible for the occurrence of LFS in a CO2 saturated formation. Synthetic seismic data sets representing pre- and post- CO2 injection scenarios were generated using 2D diffusive viscous equations to model the LFS and understand its occurrence mechanism. Furthermore, to demonstrate the applicability of LFS in a real field, a spectral decomposition analysis of time-lapse 3D seismic data of the Sleipner field, North Sea, was carried out using the continuous wavelet transform. LFSs were clearly detected below the reservoir base at frequencies lower than 30 Hz in the post- CO2 injection surveys. It is shown that the seismic low-frequency shadows are not artefacts but occur due to attenuation of the high frequency components of the propagating seismic waves in the CO2 saturated Utsira Formation. The attenuation of these frequencies is a result of the diffusivity and viscosity of the fluid saturated medium. The low-frequency shadows are localized anomalies at the base of the formation; hence with the present approach, these anomalies cannot be related to the migration of the CO2 plume in the Utsira Formation.


Geophysics ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 949-957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Landrø ◽  
Jan Stammeijer

In some hydrocarbon reservoirs, severe compaction of the reservoir rocks is observed. This compaction is caused by production, and it is often associated with changes in the overburden. Time‐lapse (or 4D) seismic data are used to monitor this compaction process. Since the compaction causes changes in both layer thickness and seismic velocities, it is crucial to distinguish between the two effects. Two new seismic methods for monitoring compacting reservoirs are introduced, one based on measured seismic prestack traveltime changes, and the other based on poststack traveltime and amplitude changes. In contrast to earlier methods, these methods do not require additional empirical relationships, such as, for instance, a velocity‐porosity relationship. The uncertainties in estimates for compaction and velocity change are expressed in terms of errors in the traveltime and amplitude measurements. These errors are directly related to the quality and repeatability of time‐lapse seismic data. For a reservoir at 3000‐m depth with 9 m of compaction, and assuming a 4D timeshift error of 0.5 ms at near offset and 2 ms at far offset, we find relative uncertainty in the compaction estimate of approximately 50–60% using traveltime information only.


2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. SL1-SL8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ehsan Zabihi Naeini ◽  
Russell Exley

Quantitative interpretation (QI) is an important part of successful exploration, appraisal, and development activities. Seismic amplitude variation with offset (AVO) provides the primary signal for the vast majority of QI studies allowing the determination of elastic properties from which facies can be determined. Unfortunately, many established AVO-based seismic inversion algorithms are hindered by not fully accounting for inherent subsurface facies variations and also by requiring the addition of a preconceived low-frequency model to supplement the limited bandwidth of the input seismic. We apply a novel joint impedance and facies inversion applied to a North Sea prospect using broadband seismic data. The focus was to demonstrate the significant advantages of inverting for each facies individually and iteratively determine an optimized low-frequency model from facies-derived depth trends. The results generated several scenarios for potential facies distributions thereby providing guidance to future appraisal and development decisions.


Geophysics ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. E7-E14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radim Ciz ◽  
Anthony F. Siggins ◽  
Boris Gurevich ◽  
Jack Dvorkin

Understanding the effective stress coefficient for seismic velocity is important for geophysical applications such as overpressure prediction from seismic data as well as for hydrocarbon production and monitoring using time-lapse seismic measurements. This quantity is still not completely understood. Laboratory measurements show that the seismic velocities as a function of effective stress yield effective stress coefficients less than one and usually vary between 0.5 and 1. At the same time, theoretical analysis shows that for an idealized monomineral rock, the effective stress coefficient for elastic moduli (and therefore also for seismic velocities) will always equal one. We explore whether this deviation of the effective stress coefficient from unity can be caused by the spatial microheterogeneity of the rock. The results show that only a small amount (less than 1%) of a very soft component is sufficient to cause this effect. Such soft material may be present in grain contact areas of many rocks and may explain the variation observed experimentally.


Geophysics ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. S219-S234 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Røste ◽  
Alexey Stovas ◽  
Martin Landrø

In some hydrocarbon reservoirs, severe compaction of the reservoir rocks is observed. This compaction is caused by production and is often associated with stretching and arching of the overburden rocks. Time-lapse seismic data can be used to monitor these processes. Since compaction and stretching cause changes in layer thickness as well as seismic velocities, it is crucial to develop methods to distinguish between the two effects. We introduce a new method based on detailed analysis of time-lapse prestack seismic data. The equations are derived assuming that the entire model consists of only one single layer with no vertical velocity variations. The method incorporates lateral variations in (relative) velocity changes by utilizing zero-offset and offset-dependent time shifts. To test the method, we design a 2D synthetic model that undergoes severe reservoir compaction as well as stretching of the overburden rocks. Finally, we utilize the method to analyze a real 2D prestack time-lapse seismic line from the Valhall field, acquired in 1992 and 2002. For a horizon at a depth of around [Formula: see text], which is near the top reservoir horizon, a subsidence of [Formula: see text] and a velocity decrease of [Formula: see text] for the sequence from the sea surface to the top reservoir horizon are estimated. By assuming that the base of the reservoir remains constant in depth, a reservoir compaction of 3.6% (corresponding to a subsidence of the top reservoir horizon of [Formula: see text]) and a corresponding reservoir velocity increase of 6.7% (corresponding to a velocity increase of [Formula: see text]) are estimated.


Interpretation of lunar seismic data results in a lunar model consisting of at least four and possibly five distinguishable zones: (I) the 50-60 km thick crust characterized by seismic velocities appropriate for plagioclaise rich materials, (II) the 250 km thick upper mantle characterized by seismic velocities consistent with an olivine-pyroxene composition, (III) the 500 km thick middle mantle characterized by a high Poisson’s ratio, (IV) the lower mantle characterized by high shear-wave attenuation, and possibly (V) a core of radius between 170 and 360 km characterized by a greatly reduced compressional wave velocity. The Apollo seismic network detects several thousand deep moonquake signals annually. Repetitive signals from 60 deep moonquake hypocentres can be identified. The occurrence characteristics of the moonquakes from the individual moonquake hypocentres are well correlated with lunar tidal phases and display tidal periodicities of 1 month, 7| months, and 6 years. With several possible exceptions, the deep moonquake foci located to date occur in three narrow belts on the near side of the Moon, and are concentrated at depths of 800-1000 km. The locations of 17 shallow moonquake foci, although not as accurate as those of the deep foci, show fair agreement with the deep moonquake belts. Focal depths calculated for the shallow moonquakes range from 0-300 km. The moonquakes of a particular moonquake belt, or a region within a belt, tend to occur near the same tidal phase suggesting similar focal mechanisms. Deep moonquake magnitudes range from about 0.5 to 1.3 on the Richter scale with a total energy release estimated to be about 10 11 ergs (10 4 J) annually. The largest shallow moonquakes have magnitudes of 4-5 and release about 10 15 -10 18 ergs (10 8 -10 11 J) each. Tidal deformation of a rigid lunar lithosphere overlying a reduced-rigidity asthenosphere leads to concentrations of strain energy near the base of the lithosphere. Although tidal strain energy can account for the deep moonquakes in this model, it cannot account for the shallow moonquakes. Tidal stresses within the lunar lithosphere range from about 0.1 to 1 bar (10 4 -10 5 Pa). This low level of tidal stresses suggests that tides act as a triggering mechanism. The secular accumulation of strain implied by the uniform polarities of the deep moonquake signals probably results from weak convection. A convective mechanism could explain the distribution of moonquakes, the Earth-side topographic bulge, the distribution of filled mare basins, and the ancient lunar magnetic field.


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 619 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Eduardo Soares Ferreira ◽  
Milton José Porsani ◽  
Michelângelo G. Da Silva ◽  
Giovani Lopes Vasconcelos

ABSTRACT. Seismic processing aims to provide an adequate image of the subsurface geology. During seismic processing, the filtering of signals considered noise is of utmost importance. Among these signals is the surface rolling noise, better known as ground-roll. Ground-roll occurs mainly in land seismic data, masking reflections, and this roll has the following main features: high amplitude, low frequency and low speed. The attenuation of this noise is generally performed through so-called conventional methods using 1-D or 2-D frequency filters in the fk domain. This study uses the empirical mode decomposition (EMD) method for ground-roll attenuation. The EMD method was implemented in the programming language FORTRAN 90 and applied in the time and frequency domains. The application of this method to the processing of land seismic line 204-RL-247 in Tacutu Basin resulted in stacked seismic sections that were of similar or sometimes better quality compared with those obtained using the fk and high-pass filtering methods.Keywords: seismic processing, empirical mode decomposition, seismic data filtering, ground-roll. RESUMO. O processamento sísmico tem como principal objetivo fornecer uma imagem adequada da geologia da subsuperfície. Nas etapas do processamento sísmico a filtragem de sinais considerados como ruídos é de fundamental importância. Dentre esses ruídos encontramos o ruído de rolamento superficial, mais conhecido como ground-roll . O ground-roll ocorre principalmente em dados sísmicos terrestres, mascarando as reflexões e possui como principais características: alta amplitude, baixa frequência e baixa velocidade. A atenuação desse ruído é geralmente realizada através de métodos de filtragem ditos convencionais, que utilizam filtros de frequência 1D ou filtro 2D no domínio fk. Este trabalho utiliza o método de Decomposição em Modos Empíricos (DME) para a atenuação do ground-roll. O método DME foi implementado em linguagem de programação FORTRAN 90, e foi aplicado no domínio do tempo e da frequência. Sua aplicação no processamento da linha sísmica terrestre 204-RL-247 da Bacia do Tacutu gerou como resultados, seções sísmicas empilhadas de qualidade semelhante e por vezes melhor, quando comparadas as obtidas com os métodos de filtragem fk e passa-alta.Palavras-chave: processamento sísmico, decomposição em modos empíricos, filtragem dados sísmicos, atenuação do ground-roll.


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