Visualization-Based Volume Interpretation Leads to Robust Identification of Stratigraphic Features of Deep Marine System

Zhurina, Elena1, Lorena Guerra², Charles West¹, Mike Liebelt¹ (1) Marathon Oil Company, Houston, TX (2) Landmark Graphics

Utilizing visualization based volume interpretation we have extracted a well defined chan­nel complex within a highly heterogeneous Miocene-aged deep marine system. We further analyzed the pressure volume and demonstrated similar geopressure regime in the reservoir rocks confirming inferred reservoir architecture.

In this study, we used seismic reflectivity data sets, complex seismic attribute, velocity and pressure volumes. First we interpreted the sand base surface using instantaneous phase volume to overcome lack of continuity of seismic reflectors within the turbidite system. Next we implemented a voxel tracking technique searching for connected voxels that satisfy spec­ified criteria on amplitude and volume ranges. Guided by the basal surface we isolated a sin­gle channel complex. Utilizing horizon based AVO analysis of seismic gathers we investigat­ed reservoir quality. Velocity based pressure assessment confirmed reservoir continuity within a channel complex and demonstrated regional pressure distribution.

This workflow has contributed to the development of reservoir continuity prediction tool. Although the amplitude maps gave indication of the reservoir rock distribution, 3D based visualization integrated with rigorous pressure analysis reduced the geologic risk by estab­lishing reservoir continuity between an identified stratigraphic play and a pay well drilled downdip and synclinally separated.