Seismic
Modeling of Petrophysical and Stratal Complexity of Isolated Carbonate Platforms
Abstract
Seismic
data provide a fundamental means for visualizing and interpreting subsurface reservoirs. Whereas criteria for defining
seismic
stratigraphy in isolated carbonate platforms are well-defined, the role of facies and petrophysical variability on
seismic
character is less constrained. To address this unknown, this project builds
seismic
models and evaluates
seismic
attributes to explore how complexity in facies (size, distribution, and stacking patterns) and diagenesis (and porosity) might be recognized from
seismic
data in subsurface reservoirs. In sampling a range of variability through the suite of simulations, the project explores a spectrum of potential ‘geologic realizations,’ or scenarios that could be encountered in the geologic record of reservoir analogs. Facies morphometrics from Holocene systems and data from Devonian and Miocene analogs provide fundamental spatial, stratigraphic (vertical patterns) and petrophysical (porosity-velocity) input for the suite of
seismic
forward models.
Seismic
character is evaluated and quantified through
seismic
attribute analysis. Comparison between
seismic
attributes and the known (modeled) geologic variability quantifies geologic controls on
seismic
character. As such, quantitative and qualitative insights of the role of geology on
seismic
expression are applicable to exploration, development, and production settings, providing means for refined interpretations of
seismic
data.
AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90259 ©2016 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 19-22, 2016