Lecture 13

Horizon A

Good Seal Good Reservoir

Horizon B

W8 W1 W2

W9 W5

W3
W4 W7 W6

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Outline
Review causes of seismic response Modeling the seismic response What are seismic attributes? Overview of seismic attribute applications - Qualitative analyses Exercise: Mapping depositional environments - Quantitative analyses Exercise: Predicting average porosity

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Seismic Response
What causes a seismic response? 1. Changes in bulk-rock velocity or density Lithology (e.g., sandstone, shale, limestone, salt)

Limestone
Courtesy of ExxonMobil
FWS 06

Shale
L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Seismic Response
What causes a seismic response? 1. Changes in bulk-rock velocity or density Lithology (e.g., sandstone, shale, limestone, salt) Porosity (e.g., intrinsic, compaction, diagenesis)

Fast

Slow

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Seismic Response What causes a seismic response? 1. Changes in bulk-rock velocity or density Lithology (e.g., sandstone, shale, limestone, salt) Porosity (e.g., intrinsic, compaction, diagenesis)

Mineralogy (e.g., calcite vs. dolomite, carbonaceous shales)

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Seismic Response
What causes a seismic response? 1. Changes in bulk-rock velocity or density Lithology (e.g., sandstone, shale, limestone, salt) Porosity (e.g., intrinsic, compaction, diagenesis)

Mineralogy (e.g., calcite vs. dolomite, carbonaceous shales)

Fluid type and saturation (water, oil, gas)
Sandstone with 30% Porosity: Pore Fluid Density Salt Water 2.164 Fresh Water 2.155 Oil 2.095 Gas 1.856
Courtesy of ExxonMobil
FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Seismic Modeling Modeling the seismic response:

Determine bulk-rock velocity and density Calculate impedance (Recall: I = x v)

Represent impedance changes as reflection coefficient

RC= I2 - I1 I2+ I1

Convolve seismic wavelet to reflection coefficients

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

The Convolution Method

Lithology Velocity Density Impedance Reflection Wavelet Coefficients Model

Shale

Sand

Shale

Sand

Shale

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Seismic Modeling
Wedge Modeling A wedge model is used to display the interactions of reflection coefficients as the thickness changes Note how the middle peak changes amplitude, shape, and duration as the sand thins to the east
Courtesy of ExxonMobil
FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Definition What are seismic attributes?

Seismic attributes are mathematical descriptions of the shape or other characteristic of a seismic trace over specific time intervals.

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Importance / Benefits Why are seismic attributes important?

Our increasing reliance on seismic data requires that we extract the most information available from the seismic response Seismic attributes enable interpreters to extract more information from the seismic data Applications include hydrocarbon play evaluation, prospect identification and risking, reservoir characterization, and well planning and field development

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Single-Trace Types Classes of seismic attributes?

Horizon (loop)
Peak amplitude Duration Symmetry
Horizon A

Interval

Average amplitude Maximum (Minimum) Duration Isochron Amplitude Time Frequency

Horizon B

Sample (volume, instantaneous)

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Multi-Trace Types

Classes of seismic attributes?

Multi-Trace
- Dip / azimuth - Coherency
Correlation Window

Trace A

Trace B

Amplitude A

R2 = 0.92

Amplitude B
Courtesy of ExxonMobil
FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Multi-Trace Types

Dip map

Faults

Stratigrahic features

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Applications Seismic attribute applications:

Qualitative - Data quality; seismic artifact identification - Seismic facies; depositional environment

Quantitative - Equations relating rock property changes to changes in seismic attributes Reservoir thickness Lithology Porosity Type of fluid fill
Courtesy of ExxonMobil
FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Qualitative Analyses Data Quality Analysis (Artifact detection):

Identify zones where seismic data quality is adversely affected by acquisition or processing methods or by geologic interference.
- Acquisition gaps, Inline-parallel striping - Multiples, migration errors, incorrect velocities - Improper amplitude and phase balancing - Frequency attenuation - Overlying geology (e.g., shallow gas, channel)

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Data Quality

Data Quality Analysis (Artifact detection):

Inline-parallel acquisition striping at water bottom (~ 40 ms)

Inline Direction

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Data Quality

Data Quality Analysis (Artifact detection):

Inline-parallel acquisition striping at 1000ms

Inline Direction

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Qualitative Analyses Seismic facies mapping:

Facies are packages of rocks that exhibit similar characteristics (e.g., lithofacies, petrophysical facies, depositional facies) Seismic facies are packages of seismically-defined bodies that exhibit similar seismic characteristics (e.g., reflection geometry, amplitude, continuity, frequency). Environment of Deposition (EoD) can be interpreted from patterns of seismic facies (i.e., similar seismic attributes)

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Qualitative Analyses

Orange Datum

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Seismic Facies Mapping Exercise Conceptual Depositional Model:

Stacked, prograding fluvial to nearshore to offshore siliciclastic parasequences
Magenta

Orange

Fluvial shales - sands

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

Nearshore sands
FWS 06

Offshore shales
L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Seismic Facies Mapping Exercise Conceptual Depositional Model:

Prograding sands increase in porosity upwards before being capped by variable quality marine shale.
Marine Shale (seal)

Magenta

Porous Sand (reservoir)

Marine Shale (seal)

Fluvial (reservoir)

Orange

Porous Sand (reservoir) Marine Shale (seal)

Courtesy of ExxonMobil
FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Seismic Facies Mapping Exercise Modern Analog:

Fluvial to nearshore progression resulting in wave dominated, barrier island complex (Texas Gulf Coast)

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Seismic Facies Mapping Exercise Modeled Seismic Response

Seismic modeling indicates the following response to changes in reservoir and seal quality:
Good Seal Good Reservoir Poor Seal Good Reservoir Good Seal Poor Reservoir Poor Seal Poor Reservoir

Strong Peak Strong Trough

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

Moderate Peak Strong Trough

FWS 06

Strong Peak Moderate Trough

Moderate Peak Moderate Trough

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Seismic Facies Mapping Exercise

Objective: Identify areas where good-quality seal rocks overlay good-quality reservoir rocks

Available data / tools:

Seismic attribute maps

Orange time structure map

Depositional model and seismic response Tracing paper and pencils

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Seismic Facies Mapping Exercise

Good Seal Good Reservoir

Poor Seal Good Reservoir

Good Seal Poor Reservoir

Poor Seal Poor Reservoir

Strong Peak Strong Trough

Moderate Peak Strong Trough

Strong Peak Moderate Trough

Moderate Peak Moderate Trough

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Applications Seismic attribute applications:

Qualitative - Data quality; seismic artifact identification - Seismic facies; depositional environment

Quantitative - Equations relating rock property changes to changes in seismic attributes. Reservoir thickness Lithology Porosity
Courtesy of ExxonMobil
FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Quantitative Analyses

Quantitative Seismic Attribute Analysis

Requirements:
- Controlled Amplitude, Controlled Phase processing - Data quality reconnaissance

- Good well-seismic ties

- Sufficient well control (additional seismic modeling is usually necessary)

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Quantitative Analyses

Goal:

Build a correlation between seismic attributes and sand thickness to predict areas of high reservoir producibility.

Tools:

Seismic - well log (i.e., rock property) models

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Geologic Description
Backstepping, unconfined sheet-sands comprising two multicycle reservoirs separated by a marine shale

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Attribute Response
Which seismic attributes differentiate average sand thickness?
Sand Shale Sand Shale Sand Shale

Well 2
Courtesy of ExxonMobil

Well 6
FWS 06

Well 9
L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Calibration
Duration
Measured Average Sand Thickness (ft) Measured Average Sand Thickness (ft)
300 300

Amplitude
Maximum
250 200

250

200 150 100

150 100 50

50 0 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

0 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180

Measured Average Sand Thickness (ft)

300

Measured Average Sand Thickness (ft)

Maximum Loop Duration (ms)

Maximum Amplitude
300

200 150

Average

250

250 200 150

100 50 0 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80

100 50 0 40 60 80 100 120 140 160

Measured Average Sand Thickness (ft)

300 250 200

Measured Average Sand Thickness (ft)

Average Loop Duration (ms)

Average Positive Amplitude

300

Minimum

250

200 150 100

150

100 50

50 0 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40

0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Minimum Loop Duration (ms)

Average Amplitude

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Seismic Attribute Calibration

Seismic Attribute Calibration
300

Measured Average Sand Thickness (ft)

250

200

Thickness = 3.3787 APA - 187.67 R2 = 0.869

150

100

50

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Average Positive Amplitude

Courtesy of ExxonMobil
FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Input Seismic Attribute

W8 W1 W9

W5 W2
W3 W4 W7

W6

Average Amplitude Low 55

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

High 70 95 110
FWS 06

125

140
L 13 - Seismic Attributes

RESULT

W8 W1

W9

W5 W2
W3 W4 W7

W6

Average Sand Thickness

Thin 60
Courtesy of ExxonMobil

Thick 80 100 120

FWS 06

140

160 feet
L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Quantitative Analysis: A Brief Example

An Oil Field, Onshore Alabama

Porosity in the Upper Smackover

Impedanc e
Haynesville Smackover Norphlet

No Porosity in the Upper Smackover

Impedanc e
Haynesville Smackover Norphlet

Porous Zone

Tight

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Change Porosity -> Change Seismic Response

Porosity in the Smackover

2.82

Representative In-Line
2.82

No Porosity in the Smackover

2.84

2.84

2.92

2.92

The trough is lower in amplitude and loop duration is longer

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

Mapped Horizon
(white)
FWS 06

The trough is higher in amplitude and loop duration is shorter

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

1-D Seismic Modeling

Changing the porosity in the Upper Smackover in 1-D models confirms there is a seismic signature related to porosity
16 ft Porous Zone 10 ft Porous Zone 3 ft Porous Zone

Haynesville
Smackover Norphlet

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Attribute Calibration & Evaluation Porosity for the Smackover

Predicted based on 4 attributes Calibration based on 8 wells
Predicted Average Smackover Porosity
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Actual Average Smackover Porosity

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

A Predicted Porosity Map

Applying the derived attribute equation to the 3D seismic survey resulted in a Smackover porosity map
Possible New Well Location

18%

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

porosity
0

FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Potential Pitfalls / Solutions

Inadequate well control: Wells dont represent all variability within reservoir Use seismic modeling to infill gaps Redundant attributes Different attributes highly correlated to one another Remove redundant attributes; keep one that

correlates best with rock property

Linear correlation Nonlinear correlation may be better representation Test other nonlinear correlation schemes but be

aware of extrapolation problems

FWS 06

Courtesy of ExxonMobil

L 13 - Seismic Attributes

Summary
Seismic attributes describe shape or other characteristics of a seismic trace over specific intervals or at specific times
Seismic attributes are important because they enable interpreters to extract more information from seismic data

Seismic attributes can be derived from a single-trace or by comparison of multiple traces

Three common types of single-trace attributes are horizon-, interval-, and sample-based Seismic attributes are used for qualitative analysis (e.g., data quality, seismic facies mapping) and quantitative analysis (e.g., net sand, porosity prediction)
Courtesy of ExxonMobil
FWS 06

L 13 - Seismic Attributes