--> Abstract: Reconstruction of Tectonic and Sedimentary Structures from Images, by A. Etchecopar, O. Serra, J. Bedford, and C. Norwood; #90987 (1993).
[First Hit]

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

ETCHECOPAR, ARNAUD, OBERTO SERRA, JONATHAN BEDFORD, and CATHY NORWOOD, Schlumberger, Montrouge, France

ABSTRACT: Reconstruction of Tectonic and Sedimentary Structures from Images

Thanks to the fine vertical resolution of Previous HitelectricalNext Hit images and their ability to detect laterally continuous features, detection, characterization and classification of practically all surfaces crossing a borehole are possible. Stratigrrphic data, and tectonic and sedimentary structures identified through images provide the interpreter with accurate, reliable information. Distinction between bed boundaries, foresets, cross bedding, stylolites, truncations, fractures, faults with or without drag and erosional surfaces is made. The structural dip determination is possible even in heterogeneous, bioturbated or fractured zones. Dips parallel to the well trajectory, as in fold hinges or horizontal wells can be detected. When slumping exists, its detection is easy and the corresponding dips are not confused with structural dips.

Unfortunately, this information is acquired along a single well. In order to extend the information around the well, two Previous HitmethodsNext Hit based on fundamental geological rules are proposed.

The first method, using Schmidt plot analysis, automatically extracts structural information such as the number of structures, their axes, their location in the well and the structural dip at any depth.

Starting from this structural analysis, a second method automatically and interactively constructs the cross sections which best fit the structural model chosen by the interpreter (parallel or similar fold, fault, rollover). A similar method is also used to visualize sedimentary structures after structural dip determination.

These Previous HitmethodsTop have been applied successfully to many examples, especially in complex folded areas. Whatever the scale, they allow the single well information to be converted into 2D and sometimes 3D geologically-coherent models.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90987©1993 AAPG Annual Convention, New Orleans, Louisiana, April 25-28, 1993.