Detailed 3D-Seismic Interpretation Using HFI Seismic Data, Fault Throw, and Stress Analysis for Fault Reactivation in the Cogollo Group, Lower Cretaceous, Urdaneta West Field, Maracaibo Basin

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Angel Galarraga ◽  
Birger Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Stress Analysis ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
Seismic Interpretation ◽  
Fault Reactivation ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Maracaibo Basin

THE APPLICATION OF 3D SEISMIC INTERPRETATION TECHNIQUES FOR OPTIMISING WELL PLACEMENT: FORTESCUE FIELD RE DEVELOPMENT, GIPPSLAND BASIN

1997 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
P.J. Ryan ◽  
T.E. Vinson
Keyword(s):  
High Precision ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Seismic Interpretation ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Well Placement ◽  
Seismic Waveform ◽  
Attribute Analysis ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Gippsland Basin

In order to achieve successful drilling results on mature fields, geophysical analysis has become increasingly focussed on the application of high precision 3D seismic interpretation and analysis techniques. These techniques were critical to the success of the re-development program recently completed on the Fortescue Field* Gippsland Basin. Fortescue, initially developed in 1983, contains an estimated oil reserve of 300 million barrels. The field is currently over 80 percent depleted. To offset declining production and develop remaining reserves, an 18 well additional drilling program together with upgrades to platform topsides and production facilities was conducted on the field from October 1994 to October 1996.Many of the proposed additional drilling opportunities relied on oil being trapped structurally updip from existing completions. Given the size (approx. 1 MSTB) and subtle, low relief nature of the targets being pursued, the precision of conventional 3D seismic interpretation techniques was inadequate to optimise the location of wells. This necessitated the development of a series of specific tools that could provide high resolution definition of both the trap and lithology as well as optimising well placement.These high precision interpretation techniques include: reservoir subcrop edge prediction through qualitative calibration of geological models to seismic data: the assessment of overburden velocity distortions of the seismic time field by utilising isochron mapping and interval attribute analysis; and prediction of trap geometries and lateral stratigraphic variations by the application of seismic waveform attributes.The application of these advanced 3D seismic interpretation techniques and their integration with related geoscience and engineering technologies resulted in the completion of a successful 18 well re-development program for the Fortescue field.

Imposing interpretational constraints on a seismic interpretation CNN

Geophysics ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-36
Author(s):  
Haibin Di ◽  
Cen Li ◽  
Stewart Smith ◽  
Zhun Li ◽  
Aria Abubakar
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Recent Progress ◽  
Facies Analysis ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Seismic Interpretation ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Geologic Time ◽  
Seismic Amplitude ◽  
Subsurface Geology ◽  
3D Seismic Data

With the expanding size of three-dimensional (3D) seismic data, manual seismic interpretation becomes time consuming and labor intensive. For automating this process, the recent progress in machine learning, particularly the convolutional neural networks (CNNs), has been introduced into the seismic community and successfully implemented for interpreting seismic structural and stratigraphic features. In principle, such automation aims at mimicking the intelligence of experienced seismic interpreters to annotate subsurface geology both accurately and efficiently. However, most of the implementations and applications are relatively simple in their CNN architectures, which primary rely on the seismic amplitude but undesirably fail to fully use the pre-known geologic knowledge and/or solid interpretational rules of an experienced interpreter who works on the same task. A general applicable framework is proposed for integrating a seismic interpretation CNN with such commonly-used knowledge and rules as constraints. Three example use cases, including relative geologic time-guided facies analysis, layer-customized fault detection, and fault-oriented stratigraphy mapping, are provided for both illustrating how one or more constraints can be technically imposed and demonstrating what added values such a constrained CNN can bring. It is concluded that the imposition of interpretational constraints is capable of improving CNN-assisted seismic interpretation and better assisting the tasks of subsurface mapping and modeling.

Space-time continuum in seismic stratigraphy: Principles and norms

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. T97-T108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Farrukh Qayyum ◽  
Christian Betzler ◽  
Octavian Catuneanu
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Seismic Stratigraphy ◽  
Seismic Interpretation ◽  
Space Time ◽  
Practical Significance ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Close Link ◽  
Time Continuum ◽  
3D Seismic Data ◽  
Stratigraphic Succession

Seismic stratigraphy is not only a geometric understanding of a stratigraphic succession, but it also has a close link to the space-time continuum started by H. E. Wheeler (1907–1987). The science follows the fundamental principles of stratigraphy, and the norms that govern seismic interpretation play a fundamental role due to their practical significance. The birth of computer-aided algorithms paved a new platform for seismic interpretation. The ideas from A. W. Grabau (1870–1946) and Wheeler were brought to a new level when space-time continuum was represented using 3D seismic data. This representation is commonly referred to as the Wheeler transformation, and it is based on flattening theories. Numerous algorithms have been introduced. Each suffers from its own problem and follow some assumption. The hydrocarbon industry, as well as academia, should seek a solution that is globally applicable to a stratigraphic succession irrespective of resolution, geologic challenges, and depositional settings. We have developed a review of the principles and norms behind these algorithms assisting in developing the space-time continuum of a stratigraphic succession using 2D/3D seismic data.

FAULT ARCHITECTURE ANDTHE MECHANICS OF FAULT REACTIVATION INTHE NANCARTROUGH/LAMIN ARIA AREA OF THE TIMOR SEA, NORTHERN AUSTRALIA

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 174 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.J. de Ruig M. Trupp ◽  
D.J. Bishop ◽  
D. Kuek ◽  
D.A. Castillo
Keyword(s):  
Late Miocene ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Fault Plane ◽  
Fault Reactivation ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Oblique Collision ◽  
Late Tertiary ◽  
Timor Sea ◽  
Fault Architecture ◽  
3D Seismic Data

Fault-bounded Jurassic structures of the Timor Sea have in recent years been the focus of intensive oil exploration. A number of significant oil discoveries have highlighted the exploration potential of this area (e.g. Laminaria, Corallina, Buffalo, Elang, Kakatua), but the majority of tested structures are either underfilled or show evidence of a residual oil column, resulting from trap failure of previously hydrocarbon-bearing structures. Recent well results confirm that trap integrity remains the principal exploration risk in the Timor Sea.Fault reactivation of Jurassic hydrocarbon traps is related to late Miocene-Pliocene oblique collision between the Australian plate and the SE Asian plate complex, which caused widespread transtensional faulting. The sealing potential of fault-bounded traps is, to a large degree, controlled by the orientation of the fault plane relative to the late Miocene-Recent stress field. However, the location of potential hydrocarbon leakage pathways remains difficult to define due to the complex fault architecture and a limited understanding of the interaction between Jurassic faults and Late Tertiary tectonism.During the past few years, a wealth of new exploration wells and 3D seismic data has become available from the Laminaria High/Nancar Trough area. The use of 3D visualisation tools, seismic coherency filtering and other seismic techniques has greatly enhanced our understanding of the fault architecture of this area of the Timor Sea.The structural architecture of the Nancar Trough/ Laminaria High is made up of several different structural intervals that are stratigraphically separated and partially decoupled along thick claystone intervals. Fault blocks at Jurassic level are typically overlain by Tertiary en-echelon graben systems, often showing characteristic 'hourglass' structures in cross-section. Detailed mapping of these fault structures on 3D seismic data has shown that the Jurassic faults and overlying Tertiary faults areoften partially decoupled.Fault throw distributions indicate that the Mio-Pliocene faults have grown downwards instead of Jurassic faults propagating upwards during reactivation. The two fault systems are soft-linked within Cretaceous claystones, only locally linking to form through-going faults. Hydrocarbon leakage pathways are most likely located at these points where critically stressed parts of Jurassic faults link up with Tertiary faults. The position of these linkage zones in relation to structural closure is key to understanding the distribution of preserved and breached columns that have been observed to date.The integration of 3D seismic fault plane mapping with in-situ stress analysis from borehole image and pressure test data provides a valuable tool for the evaluation of trap integrity, potential hydrocarbon leak paths and a more accurate risk assessment of exploration prospects.

Pitfalls in prestack inversion of merged seismic surveys

2013 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. A1-A9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sumit Verma ◽  
Yoryenys Del Moro ◽  
Kurt J. Marfurt
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Seismic Interpretation ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Seismic Surveys ◽  
Prestack Inversion ◽  
Legacy Data ◽  
Formed Part ◽  
User Friendly ◽  
New Hire

Modern 3D seismic surveys are often of such good quality and 3D interpretation packages so user-friendly that seismic interpretation is no longer exclusively carried out by geophysicists. This ease-of-use has also been extended to more quantitative workflows, such as 3D prestack inversion, putting it in the hands of the “nonexpert” — be it geologist, engineer, or new-hire geophysicist. Indeed, given good quality input seismic data, almost any interpreter who can generate good well ties and define an accurate background model of P-impedance, S-impedance, and density can generate a quality prestack inversion. Two of the authors are new geophysicists who fell into the prestack inversion “pit.” Fortunately, they were able to recognize that something was wrong. We applied prestack inversion to gathers that were carefully reprocessed by a major service company. The problem, however, was not with the processing, but with our lack of understanding of the input legacy data that formed part of a larger “megamerge” survey. Not all of the surveys that were merged had the same offset range. In the migration step, gaps in long offsets of the older surveys were not muted. Migration noise from newer surveys was allowed to fill this space. We share our initial workflow and suspicious results. We also clarify the meaning of “fold” and “offset” for prestack-migrated gathers. In addition to presenting some QC tools useful in analyzing megamerge surveys, we show how, by limiting the offsets used in our prestack inversion, we obtain less aggressive but still useful results.

Full-volume 3D seismic interpretation methods: A new step towards high-resolution seismic stratigraphy

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. B33-B47 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victorien Paumard ◽  
Julien Bourget ◽  
Benjamin Durot ◽  
Sébastien Lacaze ◽  
Tobi Payenberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Sedimentary Basins ◽  
Seismic Stratigraphy ◽  
Seismic Interpretation ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Seismic Sequences ◽  
3D Seismic Data ◽  
Full Volume

Following decades of technological innovation, geologists now have access to extensive 3D seismic surveys across sedimentary basins. Using these voluminous data sets to better understand subsurface complexity relies on developing seismic stratigraphic workflows that allow very high-resolution interpretation within a cost-effective timeframe. We have developed an innovative 3D seismic interpretation workflow that combines full-volume and semi-automated horizon tracking with high-resolution 3D seismic stratigraphic analysis. The workflow consists of converting data from seismic (two-way traveltime) to a relative geological time (RGT) volume, in which a relative geological age is assigned to each point of the volume. The generation of a horizon stack is used to extract an unlimited number of chronostratigraphic surfaces (i.e., seismic horizons). Integrated stratigraphic tools may be used to navigate throughout the 3D seismic data to pick seismic unconformities using standard seismic stratigraphic principles in combination with geometric attributes. Here, we applied this workflow to a high-quality 3D seismic data set located in the Northern Carnarvon Basin (North West Shelf, Australia) and provided an example of high-resolution seismic stratigraphic interpretation from an Early Cretaceous shelf-margin system (Lower Barrow Group). This approach is used to identify 73 seismic sequences (i.e., clinothems) bounded by 74 seismic unconformities. Each clinothem presents an average duration of approximately 63,000 years (fifth stratigraphic order), which represents an unprecedented scale of observation for a Cretaceous depositional system on seismic data. This level of interpretation has a variety of applications, including high-resolution paleogeographical reconstructions and quantitative analysis of subsurface data. This innovative workflow constitutes a new step in seismic stratigraphy because it enables interpreters to map seismic sequences in a true 3D environment by taking into account the full variability of depositional systems at high frequency through time and space.

Seismic Reservoir Characterisation of Tyumen Formation in Frolov Megadepression

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Grinevskiy ◽  
Irina Kazora ◽  
Igor Kerusov ◽  
Dmitriy Miroshnichenko
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Oil And Gas ◽  
Seismic Interpretation ◽  
Hydrocarbon Potential ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Geological Modeling ◽  
High Hydrocarbon ◽  
Seismic Reservoir ◽  
3D Seismic Data

Abstract The article discusses the approaches and methods to study the Middle Jurassic deposits of the Tyumen Formation within the Frolov megadepression (West Siberian oil and gas province), which have high hydrocarbon potential. The materials refer to several areas with available 3D seismic data and several dozen oil wells. The problems of seismic interpretation and its application for geological modeling are considered. We also propose several ways to overcome them.

New insights into the kinematics and timing of superimposed rifting events through integration of offshore data, onshore fieldwork and U-Pb geochronology: Inner Moray Firth Basin, Scotland

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Tamas ◽  
Robert Holdsworth ◽  
John Underhill ◽  
Kenneth McCaffrey ◽  
Eddie Dempsey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Upper Jurassic ◽  
Fault Reactivation ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Rift Basin ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Moray Firth ◽  
Orcadian Basin ◽  
3D Seismic Data

<p>Keywords: inherited structures, fault reactivation, U-Pb geochronology</p><p>The E-W striking Inner Moray Firth Basin (IMFB) lies in the western part of the North Sea trilete rift system formed mainly in the Upper Jurassic. The IMFB has experienced a long history of superimposed rifting with plenty of uplift and fault reactivation during Cenozoic. The basin is overlying the Caledonian basement, the pre-existing Devonian-Carboniferous (Orcadian Basin) and a regionally developed Permo-Triassic basin. The potential influence of older structures related to the Orcadian Basin on the kinematics of later basin opening has received little attention, partly due to the poor resolution of seismic reflection data at depth or sparse well data.</p><p>By integrating onshore fieldwork with the interpretation of 2D and 3D seismic data and U-Pb geochronology of syndeformationally grown calcite we provide new insights into the kinematic opening of the basin as well as the role of pre-existing Devonian-Carboniferous (Orcadian) basin structures.</p><p>The Jurassic opening of the rift basin is known to be associated with major NE-SW trending faults. New detailed mapping of offshore 3D seismic data revealed that at a smaller scale en-echelon E-W to NE-SW trending faults, en-echelon N-S to NNE-SSW and NW-SE fault arrays coexist. This suggests an oblique-sinistral component associated with the major NE-SW rift basin trends. This correlates with onshore findings, which suggest that the inherited Orcadian fault systems (mainly N-S to NE-SW) have been dextrally reactivated. Sinistral WNW-SSE to NW-SE striking faults and associated transtensional folds are also present in the Devonian rocks. This later deformation is consistently associated with calcite mineralization (e.g. slickenfibers, calcite tensile veins or Riedel shear fractures). New U-Pb dating of the calcite mineralization, related to the reactivated faults, shows that the age of fault reactivation is 153 ± 0.68 Ma (Upper Jurassic).</p><p>The integration of fieldwork with subsurface interpretations and absolute dating techniques has provided better constraints on superimposed basin development, as well as explaining complexities that have hitherto been ignored. This can reduce subsurface uncertainties regarding the structural evolution of the basin and unlock the full potential of the area and significantly enhance future exploration programs.</p>

Controls On Deep-Water Sand Delivery Beyond the Shelf Edge: Accommodation, Sediment Supply, and Deltaic Process Regime

2020 ◽  
Vol 90 (1) ◽  
pp. 104-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victorien Paumard ◽  
Julien Bourget ◽  
Tobi Payenberg ◽  
Annette D. George ◽  
R. Bruce Ainsworth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Deep Water ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Seismic Stratigraphy ◽  
Seismic Interpretation ◽  
Sediment Supply ◽  
Shelf Edge ◽  
3D Seismic ◽  
Process Regime ◽  
Shelf Margin

ABSTRACT Stratigraphic models typically predict accumulation of deep-water sands where coeval shelf-edge deltas are developed in reduced-accommodation and/or high-sediment-supply settings. On seismic data, these relationships are commonly investigated on a small number of clinothems, with a limited control on their lateral variability. Advanced full-volume seismic interpretation methods now offer the opportunity to identify high-order (i.e., 4th to 5th) seismic sequences (i.e., clinothems) and to evaluate the controls on shelf-to-basin sediment transfer mechanisms and deep-water sand accumulation at these high-frequency scales. This study focuses on the Lower Barrow Group (LBG), a shelf margin that prograded in the Northern Carnarvon Basin (North West Shelf, Australia) during the Early Cretaceous. Thanks to high-resolution 3D seismic data, 30 clinothems (average time span of ∼ 47,000 years) from the D. lobispinosum interval (142.3–140.9 Ma) are used to establish quantitative and statistical relationships between the shelf-margin architecture, paleoshoreline processes, and deep-water system types (i.e., quantitative 3D seismic stratigraphy). The results confirm that low values of rate of accommodation/rate of sediment supply (δA/δS) conditions on the shelf are associated with sediment bypass, whereas high δA/δS conditions are linked to increasing sediment storage on the shelf. However, coastal process regimes at the shelf edge play a more important role in the behavior of deep-water sand delivery. Fluvial-dominated coastlines are typically associated with steep slope gradients and more mature, longer run-out turbidite systems. In contrast, wave-dominated shorelines are linked to gentle slope gradients, with limited development of turbidite systems (except rare sheet sands and mass-transport deposits), where longshore drift currents contributed to shelf-margin accretion through the formation of extensive strandplains. In this context, reduced volumes of sand were transported offshore and mud belts were accumulated locally. This study highlights that variations from fluvial- to wave-dominated systems can result in significant lateral changes in shelf-margin architecture (i.e., slope gradient) and impact the coeval development of deep-water systems (i.e., architectural maturity). By integrating advanced tools in seismic interpretation, quantitative 3D seismic stratigraphy represents a novel approach in assessing at high resolution the controls on deep-water sand delivery, and potentially predicting the type and location of reservoirs in deep water based on the shelf-margin architecture and depositional process regime.

scholarly journals Research and Application of Globally Optimized Sequence Stratigraphic Seismic Interpretation Technology: Taking the Lower Cretaceous Shahezi Formation of Xujiaweizi Fault Depression as an Example

Geofluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Xiaowei Guan ◽  
Qian Meng ◽  
Chuanjin Jiang ◽  
Xinyu Liu ◽  
Menglu Han
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Lower Cretaceous ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Seismic Interpretation ◽  
Reservoir Prediction ◽  
Sequence Stratigraphic ◽  
Geological Age ◽  
Stratigraphic Model ◽  
Longitudinal Resolution ◽  
Frequency Sequence

In the study of sequence stratigraphy in continental rift basins, the use of seismic data to track different levels of sequence stratigraphic boundaries laterally is the key to the division of sequence stratigraphic units at all levels and the establishment of an isochronous sequence stratigraphic framework. Traditional seismic interpretation and the establishment of a 3D sequence stratigraphic structure model are a difficult research work. This paper introduces the concept of cost function minimization and performs global stratigraphic scanning on 3D seismic data to interpret horizons and faults in a large grid. Constrained by the results, human-computer interactive intelligent interpretation, by adding iterative interpretation of geological knowledge, established a global stratigraphic model with a relative geological age. The application in the Lower Cretaceous Shahezi Formation of Xujiaweizi fault depression shows that this technology has improved the accuracy and efficiency of sequence stratigraphic interpretation, and the application of this technology has achieved the interpretation of each event horizon under the current seismic data resolution conditions. In this way, a continuous sequence stratigraphic model is established. From this stratigraphic model, any high-frequency sequence-interpreted seismic horizon can be extracted, which provides a basis for the combination of lateral resolution and longitudinal resolution of subsequent reservoir prediction.

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