--> Abstract: How Far Can We Push the Seismic Inversion Concept in an Exploration Setting? Some Examples from the Barents Sea, by Tore N.Hansen and Philip Hughes; #90072 (2007)

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How Far Can We Push the Seismic Inversion Concept in an Exploration Setting? Some Examples from the Barents Sea

Tore N. Hansen1 and Philip Hughes1
1Fugro Multi Client Services AS, Oslo, Norway
2Fugro-Jason, Stavanger, Norway

We will use the results of a feasibility study from the Barents Sea as a reference, but we might utilise other examples. This study was conducted on re-processed NPD data from the Norwegian Barents Sea to show that AVO inversion can be usefully applied as an exploration tool on regional 2D seismic. We inverted two seismic lines, one E-W line crossing the southern Nordkapp Basin from the Finnmark Platform to the Bjarmeland Platform, and a second line crossing the Bjarmeland Platform in an N-W direction. These two lines tie key wells, and cover the central part of the fluvial deltaic system. We used the bandlimited inversion to verify the interpretation of Carnian sandstones within the Upper Triassic Snadd formation, but we also wanted to see if the inversion could tell us more about prospectivity. A so called Rock Quality Index (RQI) derived from the inversion results supported our interpretation of the seismic amplitudes, and in addition enabled us to differentiate between shale and sand. We can show some encouraging results, but can we trust these results? There are numerous potential pit-falls and alternative interpretations of the different observations. We have learned some useful lessons, such as the importance of an appropriate processing flow, and the need for sufficient well control, aswell as a reliable geological model to constrain the results. We believe that these results demonstrate that the methodology can bring new information to prospect evaluation in an exploration setting. This presentation is from a seismic interpreter point of view.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90072 © 2007 AAPG and AAPG European Region Conference, Athens, Greece