From Seismic Phase to Reservoir Characterization: A Two Way Street

Benoit J. Paternoster¹

(1) TOTAL E&P, Pau, France.

This paper describes how seismic response of simple geological situations can also be sensitive to the “shape” of the seismic wavelet that is embedded in the data as a result of acquisition and processing. This sensitivity can be used both ways: When the wavelet phase is well constrained, dedicated analysis can help describe simple interfering patterns such as with thin beds or when a fluid contact interacts with a reservoir top. Inversely, on known or assumed geological contrasts, phase analysis can help retrieve the phase information; when used on a statistical sense, such an approach may balance the unreliable wavelets derived from poor seismic-to-well ties.