The Seismic Velocity Model As An Interpretation Asset

A 3D velocity model is built with a both geophysical and geologic input because of the accuracy demands of depth imaging, so it becomes an increasingly effective interpretive tool. This book addresses ways in which the interpreter should participate in development of the model and underscores its interpretive value with case study examples.

First published for use with the second SEG/EAGE Distinguished Instructor Short Course, this book addresses ways in which the interpreter should participate in development of the velocity model and underscores the velocity model's interpretive value with numerous case-study examples.

3-D seismic data have become the key tool used in the petroleum industry to understand the subsurface. In addition to providing excellent structural images, the dense sampling of a 3-D survey makes it possible to map reservoir quality and the distribution of oil and gas. Topics covered in this book include basic structural interpretation and map-making; the use of 3-D visualisation methods; interpretation of seismic amplitudes, including their relation to rock and fluid properties; and the generation and use of AVO and acoustic impedance datasets. This new paperback edition includes an extra appendix presenting new material on novel acquisition design, pore pressure prediction from seismic velocity, elastic impedance inversion, and time lapse seismics. Written by professional geophysicists with many years' experience in the oil industry, the book is indispensable for geoscientists using 3-D seismic data, including graduate students and new entrants into the petroleum industry.

The interest in seismic stratigraphic techniques to interpret reflection datasets is well established. The advent of sophisticated subsurface reservoir studies and 4D monitoring, for optimising the hydrocarbon production in existing fields, does demonstrate the importance of the 3D seismic methodology. The added value of reflection seismics to the petroleum industry has clearly been proven over the last decades. Seismic profiles and 3D cubes form a vast and robust data source to unravel the structure of the subsurface. It gets nowadays exploited in ever greater detail. Larger offsets and velocity anisotropy effects give for instance access to more details on reservoir flow properties like fracture density, porosity and permeability distribution, Elastic inversion and modelling may tell something about the change in petrophysical parameters. Seismic investigations provide a vital tool for the delineation of subtle hydrocarbon traps. They are the basis for understanding the regional basin framework and the stratigraphic subdivision. Seismic stratigraphy combines two very different scales of observation: the seismic and well-control. The systematic approach applied in seismic stratigraphy explains why many workers are using the principles to evaluate their seismic observations. The here presented modern geophysical techniques allow more accurate prediction of the changes in subsurface geology. Dynamics of sedimentary environments are discussed with its relation to global controling factors and a link is made to high-resolution sequence stratigraphy. ‘Seismic Stratigraphy Basin Analysis and Reservoir Characterisation’ summarizes basic seismic interpretation techniques and demonstrates the benefits of intergrated reservoir studies for hydrocarbon exploration. Topics are presented from a practical point of view and are supported by well-illustrated case histories. The reader (student as well as professional geophysicists, geologists and reservoir engineers) is taken from a basic level to more advanced study techniques. * Overview reflection seismic methods and its limitations. * Link between basic seismic stratigraphic principles and high resolution sequence stratigraphy. * Description of various techniques for seismic reservoir characterization and synthetic modelling. * Overview nversion techniques, AVO and seismic attributes analysis.

The 2e of Seismic Stratigraphy and Depositional Facies Models summarizes basic seismic interpretation techniques and demonstrates the benefits of integrated reservoir studies for hydrocarbon exploration. Topics are presented from a practical point of view and are supported by well-illustrated case histories. The reader is taken from a basic level to more advanced study techniques. The presented modern geophysical techniques allow more accurate prediction of the changes in subsurface geology. Dynamics of sedimentary environments are discussed their relation to global controling factors, and a link is made to high-resolution sequence stratigraphy. The interest in seismic stratigraphic techniques to interpret reflection datasets is well established. The advent of sophisticated subsurface reservoir studies and 4D monitoring for optimizing the hydrocarbon production in existing fields demonstrate the importance of the 3D seismic methodology. The added value of reflection seismics to the petroleum industry has clearly been proven over the last few decades. Seismic profiles and 3D cubes form a vast and robust data source to unravel the structure of the subsurface. Larger offsets and velocity anisotropy effects give access to more details on reservoir flow properties like fracture density, porosity and permeability distribution. Elastic inversion and modeling may tell something about the change in petrophysical parameters. Seismic investigations provide a vital tool for the delineation of subtle hydrocarbon traps, and they are the basis for understanding the regional basin framework and the stratigraphic subdivision. Seismic stratigraphy combines two very different scales of observation: the seismic and well control. The systematic approach applied in seismic stratigraphy explains why many workers are using the principles to evaluate their seismic observations. Discusses the link between seismic stratigraphic principles and sequence stratigraphy Provides techniques for seismic reservoir characterization as well as well control Analyzes inversion, AVO and seismic attributes

Geostatistics is used not only in reservoir characterization but also in velocity analysis, time-to-depth conversion, seismic inversion, uncertainty quantification, and data integration in earth models. This book includes covariance and the variogram, interpolation, heterogeneity modelling, uncertainty quantification, and geostatistical inversion.

All rock masses are seismically anisotropic, but we generally ignore this in our seismic acquisition, processing, and interpretation. The anisotropy nonetheless does affect our data, in ways that limit the effectiveness with which we can use it, as long as we ignore it. This book, produced for use with the fifth SEG/EAGE Distinguished Instructor Short Course, helps us understand why this inconsistency between reality and practice has been so successful in the past and why it will be less successful in the future as we acquire better seismic data (especially including vector seismic data) and correspondingly higher expectations of it. This book helps us understand how we can modify our practice to more fully realize the potential inherent in our data through algorithms which recognize the fact of seismic anisotropy.