Acquisition and Analysis of Multicomponent Seismic Data, Anadarko Basin, Oklahoma, U.S.A

Steven L. Roche¹, Mark Wagaman², and Howard J. Watt¹. (1) Veritas DGC, 10300 Town Park Drive, Houston, TX 77072, phone: 832 351 1023, [email protected], (2) Veritas DGC, 410 17th Street, Suite 1140, Denver, CO 80202

Multicomponent three-dimensional seismic data were acquired in the Anadarko Basin, USA. Acquisition involved simultaneously recording a co-located spread of individual multicomponent digital sensors with conventional arrays of single-component vertical geophones. Conventional P-wave data and compressional-to-shear converted-wave data were recorded from reflectors exceeding 13500 feet in depth. Differing P-wave and converted-wave reflectivity suggests that additional information can be extracted from the combined interpretation of both modes of wave propagation.

Interpretation of multicomponent data holds great promise for the exploration and development of oil & gas. Shear wave propagation is sensitive only to rigidity and density, while compressional wave propagation is sensitive to rigidity, density and compressibility. Interpreting both P-wave and S-wave data offers the ability to discriminate lithology, porosity, fractures and possibly fluid content.

Integration with well control using both P-wave and converted-wave data shows good correlation to natural gas production from the Springer Formation at an approximate depth of 11000 feet. We observe changes in both reflectivities that differentiate between commercial and non-commercial gas wells. The multicomponent data are integrated with the well control at 14 well locations penetrating the Springer. Given the actual cumulative gas production at each well, the Hampson-Russell EMERGE algorithm used the multicomponent seismic data to predict the gas production. Predicted gas production using both compressional P-wave and shear converted-wave data is more accurate than using the P-wave data only.