Effect of Seismic Resolution on Interpretation, Modeling, and Dynamic Behavior: An Outcrop Example for Deepwater Channels, Scripps, San Diego

Varela, Omar J.¹, Kirt M. Campion¹, Michael E. Farrell¹, Craig S. Calvert¹ (1) ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Houston, TX

Three-dimensional seismic amplitude and seismic-derived data are used routinely in many subsurface workflows to delineate reservoirs, to interpret environments of deposition, and to condition geologic models. Having an extensive areal coverage and in spite of improved acquisition and processing techniques, the vertical resolution of seismic data is low (generally in the range of 5 - 10 meters) compared to other reservoir data derived from outcrop, core, and well-log data. Outcrop data provides reservoir information at real scale and thus it can be used to better understand the subsurface reservoir. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of seismic resolution on potential interpretations, modeling, and associated dynamic behavior for an outcrop example that serves as an analog for deepwater channel systems. To accomplish such an objective various interpretation scenarios were established based on the resolution of the seismic data (e.g., 10 Hz, 60 Hz). Geologic models were built using those interpretation scenarios and the models were populated using effective properties. Fluid-flow simulations were carried out to evaluate the effects of resolution, interpretation, and development. Results highlight the influence of the parameters mentioned above on the estimation of volume in place and hydrocarbon recovery.