--> ABSTRACT: Complex Reservoir Development Using Seismic Acoustic Impedance, by Chuck G. Guderjahn, John D. Oldroyd; #91020 (1995).

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Complex Reservoir Development Using Seismic Acoustic Impedance

Chuck G. Guderjahn, John D. Oldroyd

Seismic data sets over the Northern Gulf of Mexico Viosca Knoll Block 989 field have been inverted to absolute acoustic impedance (AI) displays. AI emphasizes beds rather than bed boundaries, so sand body geometries, depositional patterns and other stratigraphic features can be more readily described and analyzed. The technique is well adapted for areas with complex or closely stacked pay sands, such as the field's upper Miocene reservoirs, which are interpreted as differentiated channel-fill sands within a mid-slope turbidite channel complex.

The success of development wells depends on an accurate reservoir model. The remarkable match of AI seismic displays to well log data, leads to designing more aggressive wells, such as horizontal wells, where the orientation of the horizontal section is closely dictated by geologic interpretation. Confidence in the reservoir model and the success of horizontal wells have been further increased by integrating the AI to well match with 3-D visualization and reservoir simulation.

By understanding the relationship between seismic attributes and reservoir parameters as determined from well information, simple mathematical operations can be performed directly on the 3D seismic data to quickly produce a representative 3D numerical reservoir description. The modeling enhances cross-functional teamwork by providing a shared model and media between disciplines. Of particular utility, reservoir connectivity can be investigated by systematically testing the surrounding neighbors of each 3D grid cell in the reservoir model. Multiple iterative sensitivities between AI and derived reservoir properties can be utilized to characterize reservoir volume and performance uncertainties.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91020©1995 AAPG Annual Convention, Houston, Texas, May 5-8, 1995