--> Abstract: Detecting Fault Related Hydrocarbon Migration Pathways in Seismic Data: Implications for Fault Seal, Pressure, and Charge Prediction, by David L. Connolly and Friso Brouwer; #90085 (2008)
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Detecting Previous HitFaultNext Hit Related Hydrocarbon Previous HitMigrationNext Hit Previous HitPathwaysNext Hit in Seismic Data: Implications for Previous HitFaultNext Hit Previous HitSealNext Hit, Pressure, and Charge Prediction

David L. Connolly and Friso Brouwer
dGB USA, Sugar Land, TX

A method is demonstrated to highlight hydrocarbon Previous HitmigrationNext Hit related to faulting in seismic data. The method uses multiple seismic attributes and neural networks to highlight the vertically aligned low energy chaotic seismic data described as gas chimneys, gas clouds, or seepage pipes. The result is a gas chimney probability volume. Methods are also described for highlighting faults in seismic data using directional attributes. When the gas chimney probability data is overlain on the Previous HitfaultNext Hit data, obvious vertical gas chimneys can be distinguished. However more subtle Previous HitfaultNext Hit related hydrocarbon Previous HitmigrationNext Hit can also be seen. This hydrocarbon Previous HitmigrationNext Hit is often associated with Previous HitfaultNext Hit intersections or splinter faults related to shear along the Previous HitfaultNext Hit. Overlaying the chimney information on Previous HitfaultNext Hit planes can often indicate which parts of the Previous HitfaultNext Hit have been Previous HitmigrationNext Hit Previous HitpathwaysNext Hit and which parts of the Previous HitfaultNext Hit have not. Over 125 chimney analyses have been performed on drilled structural closures with effective reservoir. Approximately one quarter of the wells are dry holes. Thus, the dry holes failed because of either ineffective charge or Previous HitsealNext Hit. These structures were classified, based on the character of the chimneys below and above the reservoir, into eight classes. We will demonstrate how this information can be used to risk vertical Previous HitsealTop and charge prior to drilling.

Gas chimneys are a means by which deep pressures can be transmitted into the shallow sub-surface. This partly explains why producing reservoirs are often near the top of abnormal pressure. We will demonstrate the correlation of rock property data (fracture pressure and pore pressure), gas chimneys, and hydrocarbon column height. Case studies are shown from the Gulf of Mexico onshore, shelf, and slope.

AAPG Search and Discover Article #90085 © 2008 GCAGS 58th Annual Meeting, Houston, Texas