Abstract: High-Resolution Seismic Analysis Greatly Improves Petroleum Economics

C. Richard Willingham

High-resolution processing of conventionally acquired 2D or 3D seismic data reduces drilling risk by providing a more accurate image of the subsurface stratigraphy and structure. It reveals plays that would normally be overlooked, allows well locations to be positioned to optimze hydrocarbon extraction, and, if used in the initial processing of a data set, adds relatively little to the total seismic exploration cost. Examples are presented to illustrate these points. The first shows how conventional processing techniques are used to increase frequency response by 25 %, allowing imaging of micro-structures, which, when drilled, yield wells with 3 times normal production. The second example uses Z-domain deconvolution to produce a 100% increase in frequency. Micro-stratigra hy is revealed which allows a more accurate characterization of the reservoir, thus reducing dry-hole risk. A third example shows that the distortion of bright spot images created by conventional processing can be greatly reduced by high-resolution processing. Two high-resolution processing approaches are used, and the results from each are compared to borehole data to illustrate the accuracy of the techniques.

These and other examples illustrate that high-resolution imaging can play a major role in dry-hole risk reduction for both exploration and exploitation situations. Its cost is minimal (less than 10% increase) in an acquisition and processing program if a commitment is made to utilize high-resolution methods in the initial phases of the project.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90951©1996 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Caracas, Venezuela