3D Seismic Characterization of Devonian Transfer Faults in the Appalachian Plateau

Abstract

The Devonian section of the Appalachian Basin has large scale compressional faults and folds that can be characterized using 3D seismic data. Lateral displacement of these structures typically occurs along strike-slip transfer faults that are at times very subtle when observed in a seismic volume. The deformation that resulted from these transfer faults is known to create an operational and productive risk for horizontal shale wells drilled in the Marcellus. This talk will step through some of Seneca Resources experiences in regard to these transfer faults and will illustrate how 3D seismic has been used to identify and characterize them via seismic attribute volumes. Marcellus geosteering results will be used to further compare these transfer faults to relevant seismic lines. These examples will illustrate the variety of structural complexities that can be observed during drilling and the difficulty in predicting small-scale features across these zones.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90373 © 2019 AAPG Eastern Section Meeting, Energy from the Heartland, Columbus, Ohio, October 12-16, 2019