QuantumRD for Characterizing Permeability Barriers and Compartmentalization in Tight Carbonates and Clastic Reservoirs

Gulati, Ayush; Bogdan, Robert

QuantumRD offers a new mathematical framework coupling seismic interferometry paradigm with nonlinear signal processing, use of synthetic noise injection protocols and new quantum resonance algorithms. Denoted as "Virtual Vibe", this technology offers new tools for exploration geologists to answer complex reservoir issues to extract more value from vintage 3-D seismic using amplitudes down to -24dB. We present a new application of QuantumRD for delineating and characterizing permeability barriers in tight carbonates and sandstone reservoirs. State-of-the-art pre-stack inversions and AVO are challenged by carbonate geometries and fracturing as they are often below the well log or seismic reflection resolution. Thus interpretation geophysicists are challenged to image and characterize compartmentalization and discontinuities over small areas, highlighting the expense and ineffectiveness of densely gridded in-fill well placements where basin geology provides limited insight to positioning individual wells. Also, unlike other lithologies, the original primary porosity in carbonates may be totally destroyed during diagenesis and significant new secondary porosity may be created. This paper presents results where petrophysically relevant variations of 20mD and effective porosity changes of 3 to 4% can be detected and mapped. This permeability changes have extremely small expression in the seismic response buried below background noise in the data and previous attempts to discriminate have not been successful. Virtual Vibe uses a synthetic noise source, designed using rock-physics and well-control data to probe the acquired seismic data and to detect, characterize and amplify changes in seismic noise.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90163©2013AAPG 2013 Annual Convention and Exhibition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, May 19-22, 2013