Treadgold, Galen¹ 
(1) Weinman GeoScience, Dallas, TX

ABSTRACT: Scanning 3D Volumes for Subtle AVO Anomalies

A procedure is described for identify potential hydrocarbon indicators from various AVO stacks using a workflow designed to allow the interpreter the flexibility of creating custom attributes based on model or known hydrocarbon responses. The processing and analysis approach permits rapid identification of anomalies for more focused analysis and validation. 
Most AVO analysis over the past 20 years has focused on identifying a combination of attributes that will result in a single hydrocarbon indicator volume. Within this ‘ultimate’ volume one can identify all of relevant fluid effects necessary to map accumulations and discard false leads. Experience has taught that there is no ultimate volume. Acquisition noise, seismic processing quality and rock property variations make the analysis world a poor fit to the one-size-fits-all assumption. Effective AVO analysis should be interactive, reservoir specific and volume driven. 
Our talk will focus on workflows and data examples that illustrate the interpretive process of AVO analysis. A short discussion of processing requirements will be followed by a look at multi-volume, horizon sculpted, cross-plot based anomaly detection into a visualized cube of anomalies. Both 2D and 3D examples will be shown followed by a description of a technique for validating the anomalies.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90026©2004 AAPG Annual Meeting, Dallas, Texas, April 18-21, 2004.