Study on multicomponent Amplitude Versus Offset forward modelling of thin layer gas hydrate using the Brekhovskikh equation

Abstract

Amplitude Versus Offset forward modelling plays a crucial role in identifying gas hydrate reservoirs. However, since gas hydrates commonly exist in thin intermediate seafloor layers, traditional Amplitude Versus Offset techniques based on the Zoeppritz equation with the semi‐infinite medium assumption may not accurately depict the reflection amplitude of hydrates. In this paper, multi‐component Amplitude Versus Offset forward modelling using the Brekhovskikh equation was performed to simulate the Amplitude Versus Offset response of thin‐layered gas hydrate reservoirs more accurately. The numerical experiments demonstrate that the overall trends of the P‐wave and S‐wave Amplitude Versus Offset curves calculated by the Brekhovskikh equation and the Zoeppritz equation are consistent under various reservoir thicknesses, porosities and hydrate saturations, but the Amplitude Versus Offset curves calculated by the Brekhovskikh equation reveal more details. When the angle is greater than 30°, the gradient of the P‐wave Amplitude Versus Offset curve calculated from the Brekhovskikh equation as a function of hydrate saturation and porosity is greater than that calculated by the Zoeppritz equation, whereas the S‐wave Amplitude Versus Offset is not sensitive to changes in hydrate reservoir parameters. To further validate the Brekhovskikh equation in practical Amplitude Versus Offset analysis of gas hydrates, a geological model of gas hydrates is established based on logging data in the South China Sea. Subsequently, the bottom simulation reflection Amplitude Versus Offset of the P‐wave was computed using the Brekhovskikh equation and the Zoeppritz equation. Comparison with the actual vertical cable seismic data indicates that the Amplitude Versus Offset curve using Brekhovskikh equation is more consistent with the amplitude trend than the Zoeppritz equation. This finding suggests that the Brekhovskikh equation holds great potential for establishing an Amplitude Versus Offset identification marker for gas hydrates and improving seismic data interpretation in gas hydrate exploration.