Carlos Cobos September 2010 Outline What is Seismic Inversion? Vertical Resolution Low Frequency Model Estimation Post Stack Seismic Inversion Pre Stack Seismic Inversion Observations Outline What is Seismic Inversion? Vertical Resolution Low Frequency Model Estimation Post Stack Seismic Inversion Pre Stack Seismic Inversion Observations What is Seismic Inversion? Seismic inversion is the process of converting seismic reflection data into seismic impedance (volumetric rock properties). Seismic Inversion Classification Seismic Inversion Deterministic Stochastic Band Limited Inversion Generalized Linear Inversion Sparse Spike Parametric (Gaussian) Non-Parametric Post-Stack (Single) Pre-Stack or Elastic (Simultaneous) Post-Stack (Single) General Seismic Inversion Work Flow Low Frequency Model Seismic Data Wavelet Extraction Inversion QC Impedance Data Seismic Inversion Limitations Vertical Resolution: The vertical resolution of the seismic impedance is limited by the bandwidth of the input seismic data. Low Frequency Model: The accuracy of the calculated impedance volume is affected by artifacts in the low frequency model. Outline What is Seismic Inversion? Vertical Resolution Low Frequency Model Estimation Post Stack Seismic Inversion Pre Stack Seismic Inversion Observations Vertical Resolution A typical deterministic inversion exhibits a vertical resolution of approximately /4. At a frequency of 30 Hz and assuming a P-wave velocity of 9000 ft/s, the tuning wavelength (/4) is 75 ft. Vertical Resolution 1 20 Hz Ricker Wavelet 2 30 Hz Ricker Wavelet 3 40 Hz Ricker Wavelet 4 60 Hz Ricker Wavelet 5 80 Hz Ricker Wavelet Inverted with Generalized Linear Inversion 1 20 Hz Ricker Wavelet 2 30 Hz Ricker Wavelet 3 40 Hz Ricker Wavelet 4 60 Hz Ricker Wavelet 5 80 Hz Ricker Wavelet Original Seismic Data Central Frequency: 30 Hz Average Velocity: 12500 ft/sec Vertical Resolution: 104 ft High Resolution Spectral Inversion Central Frequency: 310 Hz Average Velocity: 12500 ft/sec Vertical Resolution: 10 ft Original Seismic Data Central Frequency: 30 Hz Average Velocity: 12500 ft/sec Vertical Resolution: 104 ft High Resolution Spectral Inversion Central Frequency: 310 Hz Average Velocity: 12500 ft/sec Vertical Resolution: 10 ft Outline What is Seismic Inversion? Vertical Resolution Low Frequency Model Estimation Post Stack Seismic Inversion Pre Stack Seismic Inversion Observations Low Frequency Model Due to the band limited nature of the seismic data, seismic inversion cannot find a unique solution. Therefore, two types of data are needed for the inversion process: the seismic data and a low impedance model that constrains the possible solutions. Low Frequency Model Low frequency models are derived from well log data, NMO or pre-stack time migrated velocities. Low frequency models generated from well log data are influenced by the amount of wells and the interpolation algorithm used for the model creation. On the other hand, seismic velocities models are, in many cases, too smooth for a high resolution inversion process. Raw Dense Interval Velocities Interval Velocities After Spatial Smoothing Interval Velocities After REVEL Interval Velocities After REVEL with Seismic Overlay Outline What is Seismic Inversion? Vertical Resolution Low Frequency Model Estimation Post Stack Seismic Inversion Pre Stack Seismic Inversion Observations General Inversion Process Relative Impedance Trace Absolute Impedance Trace Wavelet Reflectivity Trace Seismic Trace Synthetic Trace Low Frequency Model High Resolution Velocity Model Post Stack Inversion Generalized Linear Inversion [m*g]/[cc*sec] High Resolution Post Stack Inversion Generalized Linear Inversion [m*g]/[cc*sec] Post Stack Inversion Generalized Linear Inversion [m*g]/[cc*sec] High Resolution Post Stack Inversion Generalized Linear Inversion [m*g]/[cc*sec] Outline What is Seismic Inversion? Vertical Resolution Low Frequency Model Estimation Post Stack Seismic Inversion Pre Stack Seismic Inversion Observations Why Pre-Stack Inversion? 1. The seismic inversion process is better constrained if S-wave information is included into the minimization process. 2. Information carried by a pair of seismic attributes is typically more robust than the information obtained by a single seismic attributes. Why Pre-Stack Inversion? 0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.2 8000 8500 9000 9500 10000 10500 11000 Probability Density V p
[ f t / s e c ] 0.2 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.2 3500 4000 4500 5000 5500 6000 Probability Density V s
[ f t / s e c ] 0.4 0.2 0 0.2 0.4 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Probability Density B u l k
D e n s i t y
[ g r / c c ] 0.2 0.1 0 0.1 0.2 1.9 2 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 x 10 4 Probability Density A c o u s t i c
I m p e d a n c e Sands-Shales Elastic Properties AVO Intercept-Gradient Statistic Success Rate Brine Success Rate Gas Success Rate Shale Success Rate Total Information Entropy Intercept 0.52 0.84 0.54 0.61 0.33 Gradient 0.47 0.63 0.62 0.59 0.30 Inter-Grad 1 1 1 1 1.09 Why Pre-Stack Inversion? 1 2 3 4 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 Ro G Rp Rs AI EI Ip Is Information Carried By single Attribute 0.9 0.95 1 1.05 1.1 1.15 I n f o r m a t i o n R0-G Rp-Rs AI-EI Ip-Is Information Carried By Pair of Attributes Fusions Flow for High Resolution Simultaneous Absolute Impedance Inversion BRAVO TM REVEL TM Low Frequency Models P-Impedance S-Impedance Reflectivity Sections P-Reflectivity S-Reflectivity High Resolution Reflectivity Sections P-Reflectivity S-Reflectivity High Resolution Impedance Sections P-Impedance S-Impedance Rock Properties Analysis Rock Properties Analysis Outline What is Seismic Inversion? Vertical Resolution Low Frequency Model Estimation Post Stack Seismic Inversion Pre Stack Seismic Inversion Observations Observations 1. The combination of high resolution velocity residual analysis and high resolution spectral inversion coupled with seismic inversion engines improve the accuracy and vertical resolution of the final absolute impedance volume. 2. Simultaneous elastic inversion is the most robust deterministic inversion method because it is better constrained by the inclusion of S- wave information into the minimization process.