Insights on the
Evolution of Oligocene-Miocene Carbonate Buildups from 3D Seismic Data,
Ruf, Amy S.1,
Toni Simo2, Tina M. Hughes3, Kelley Steffen1
(1) ExxonMobil Upstream Research, Houston, TX (2)
University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (3) ExxonMobil
Upstream Research, Houston,
The High Density MC3D seismic survey,
acquired by PGS in 2003 over the
The high quality seismic data enables
visualization and quantitative analysis of geometry, orientation, and spatial
distribution of nucleation and intermediate mounds, generating models of
preferential morphology for development of isolated vs. amalgamated platforms.
Flattened discontinuity time-slices from the 3D data provide clear images of
mound size, distribution, and morphology at discrete growth steps, which record
a complex history of initiation, aggradation,
coalescence or isolation, progradation, potential
exposure, and demise. Additional seismic attributes, including isochron and dip, reveal distinguishing characteristics of
carbonate buildups that can be exploited by innovative volume interpretation
tools for identifying, isolating, and extracting mound features. Once
extracted, quantitative attributes (e.g., size, width: thickness ratio,
orientation, etc.) are analyzed. The quantitative approach to the analysis of
the geometric, spatial, and seismic facies
characteristics of carbonate buildups enhances the understanding of Tertiary
mound evolution, internal architecture, and growth history.
AAPG Search and Discover Article #90063©2007 AAPG Annual Convention, Long Beach, California