Seismic interpretation

High frequency approximations in the solution of an acoustic wave equation The reader, familiar with the background of seismic exploration methods, should recall that many successful seismic interpretation algorithms are based on the simple principles of geometrical seismics, which resembles the ideas of geometrical optics. The question is how this simple but powerful approach is connected with the... 

Bouvier, J.D., Kaars-Sijpesteijn, C.D., Kluesner D.F., Onyejekwe, C.C. and van der Pal, R.C. 1989. Three-dimensional seismic interpretation and fault sealing investigations. Nun River field, Nigeria. Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol. Bull., 73 1397-1414. 

Freeman, B Yielding, G. and Badley, M. 1990. Fault correlation during seismic interpretation. First Break, 8 3. 

Primary mapping of the subsurface, however, was performed on seismic data, in the time domain. The seismic interpretation was depth-converted by applying appropriate velocity models to the TWT grids. The faults are now represented as polygons on each... 

The authors gratefully acknowledge RPS Energy for their assistance with Seismic Interpretation The North Rim project team for their execution of the drilling program and their contribution to the NI 43-101 Technical Report of the targeted area Mr. Dave Mackintosh, P. Geo. for his contribution to Yancoal Potash Project. 

Avseth, P.T., Mavko, M.G., 2005. Quantitative Seismic Interpretation, Applying Rock Physics Tools to Reduce Interpretation Risk. Cambridge University Press, New York. 

Most of the hydrocarbons (gas and oil) occur in sedimentary rocks that were generated in different depositional environments (e.g. river charmels, delta systems, submarine fans, carbonate mounds and reefs). Seismic waves penetrating into and reflected within sedimentary rock bodies yield a seismic image of their external shape and of their internal texture. Therefore, the analysis of the external shape of seismic bodies and its internal textures, which is called seismic facies analysis [2], helps to specify the depositional environment of the investigated sedimentary rocks. An analysis of the seismic facies is a must in seismic interpretation to determine the depositional environment and to locate potential reservoirs, especially in complex oilfields. 

For a seismic interpreter, seismic facies analysis is a monotonous and time consuming task because it still has to be done manually by scanning through hundreds to thousands of seismic cross sections. Hence, a process is highly required which makes this interpretation step automatic. 

P. Bakker (2002) Image structure analysis for seismic interpretation. PhD thesis, Pattern Recognition Group, Faculty of Applied Physics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands, June 2002. 

M. Bacon, R. Simm, and T. Redshaw (2003) 3-D Seismic Interpretation. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 

Seismic Texture Attributes. Subsection 1.2 introduced seismic sequence stratigraphy as a means of explaining the structure of the subsurface, helping determine the depositional environments and possible rock type distributions. Essentially, this process boils down to an analysis of seismic bodies defined by their internal textures and external shape, often referred to as seismic facies analysis. This type of analysis is a must in seismic interpretation to locate potential reservoirs, especially in complex oilfields. 

---