--> Abstract: Thin Bed Reservoir Thickness Prediction Using Tuned 3D Seismic Impedance, by M. L. Shoemaker, R. D. Harger, T. E. Shaw, S. M. Brown, O. P. Langton, S. T. Quimby, and N. L. Anderson; #90078 (2008)
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Previous HitThinNext Hit Bed Reservoir Thickness Prediction Using Tuned 3D Seismic Impedance

Michael L. Shoemaker1, Robert D. Harger2, Tony E. Shaw3, Steve M. Brown4, Oliver P. Langton5, Shane T. Quimby6, and Neil L. Anderson7
1NAG, Gulf Coast, BP America, Inc., Houston, TX
2VGS Seismic Canada, Inc., Calgary, AB, Canada
3PGS, Rio, Brazil
4Schlumberger, Oslo, Norway
5Reservoir Exploration Technology, Oslo, Norway
6Pinnacle Technologies, Houston, TX
7Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, MO

Although conventional 3D reflection seismic data has been invaluable in the exploration and development of oil and gas fields worldwide, the stand-alone technology fundamentally lacks the vertical resolution required to adequately characterize Previous HitthinNext Hit-bedded hydrocarbon reservoirs. Limited seismic resolution, implicitly defined at 1/4 wavelength Previous HittuningNext Hit thickness, can become particularly problematic to the explorationist when estimating petroleum reserves in short-listing the prospect inventory. The seismic quandary can be overcome however, implementing an inherent wavelet phenomenon known as seismic amplitude Previous HittuningNext Hit. Widess (1973) observed that thickness information of a “Previous HitthinNext Hit bed” reservoir can be detected (or is encoded) within the composite amplitude representative of the Previous HitthinNext Hit bed. The composite amplitude results from the seismic (interference) response to the top and base Previous HitthinNext Hit bed reflectors; the magnitude of which is linearly dependent of Previous HitthinNext Hit bed geometry effects allowing for the deterministic prediction of gross reservoir thickness.

Herein, a methodology is introduced whereby gross reservoir thickness is successfully predicted away from well control via full bandwidth (0 to 25 Hz) inverted seismic impedance that has undergone Previous HittuningNext Hit. The method has been successfully applied in the onshore Tuscaloosa deep gas trend (> 7000 m) located in Louisiana, USA, where prospective sandstones are below 1/4 wavelength Previous HittuningNext Hit thickness. Tuned inverted seismic impedance has successfully predicted gross reservoir thickness at 37 blind well locations, and thickness estimations seismically collaborate structurally in areas where growth faults exist. Because seismic inversion involves every trace, we now have thickness prediction densely sampled at each of the seismic trace locations, representative of a transformed 3D reservoir thickness cube defined in dimensions of meters.

 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas