--> Abstract: Seismic Rock Property Predictions Provide Insight to Field Development, by James S. Schuelke, Lyndon A. Yose, Saeed Al-Menhali, and Bill Soroka; #90039 (2005)

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Seismic Rock Property Predictions Provide Insight to Field Development

James S. Schuelke1, Lyndon A. Yose2, Saeed Al-Menhali3, and Bill Soroka4
1 ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Houston, TX
2 ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Houston, OR
3 ADNOC, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
4 ADCO,

High quality 3D seismic data over a large UAE field combined with high-end geophysical techniques resulted in spectacular porosity detail from seismic data over this carbonate field. By using proprietary post stack filtering techniques to improve data continuity and discontinuity, two optimal data sets were generated. One data volume was optimized for structure and stratigraphic interpretation and the other for event mapping and quantitative seismic attribute analysis. A multi-attribute calibration method was used to estimate the porosity from the seismic data. Attributes used include seismic and geologic or interpretative attributes. The result was a porosity prediction that was 20% improved over the traditional single attribute approach, as measured on hidden well data. The predicted porosity volume provided high quality detail of reservoir heterogeneity and was very useful in understanding flood front advance in the platform interior and flow patterns in the clinoforms. In addition, the seismic porosity volume provides a means to place future wells to tap by-passed oil and to optimize the location of planned injector and producer zones. Even in a field with a wealth of wells, such as the study field, the additional information provided by the seismic is very beneficial.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90039©2005 AAPG Calgary, Alberta, June 16-19, 2005