--> ABSTRACT: Seismic Mapping of Pressure Compartments, by N. K. Boyd, S. W. Kubichek, Z. S. Jiao, and R. C. Surdam; #91021 (2010)

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Seismic Mapping of Pressure Compartments

BOYD, NICHOLAS K., SHARON W. KUBICHEK, ZUN S. JIAO, and RONALD C. SURDAM

The reliable delineation of pressure compartments in deep basins is a new frontier for gas exploration. Using seismic velocity data to map pressure compartment boundaries is an important and under-utilize component of deep basin exploration. Interval velocities obtained from analysis of seismic data from two 1-Laramide Basins, the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and the western Alberta Basin of Canada, demonstrate the utility of using these data for pressure compartment delineation. A velocity inversion, observed in well data to coincide with increasing pore pressure and increasing gas in the pore fluid, occurs at the pressure compartment boundary. Both sonic logs and seismic interval velocities map this velocity inversion in the studied basins; however the spatial coverage of the seismic data provides greater detail than is possible with interpolations of the well data. Comparison of seismic velocities with sonic logs indicates greater confidence in the velocity data than error analysis would suggest. This observation verifies that velocity mapping is a reliable interpretive tool across long distances and with great detail. Additionally, the seismic interval velocities can be analyzed using the same techniques employed with sonic logs to map pressure compartments, thus extending well-based results away from the drill-hole. Seismic data, augmented with existing well-based studies in production settings, provides a reliable predictive tool in exploration settings for pressure compartment mapping.

Acknowledgments -- This study was funded by the Gas Research Institute under Contract Numbers 5089-260-1894 and 5091-221-2146. 

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91021©1997 AAPG Annual Convention, Dallas, Texas.