Using empirical geological rules to reduce structural uncertainty in seismic interpretation of faults

Freeman, B.; Boult, P.J.; Yielding, Graham; Menpes, Sandy

doi:10.1016/j.jsg.2009.11.001

Cited by 44 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…However, the authors believe that many of the interpretational issues that arise in this exercise are also common products of interpretations undertaken in industry software packages, as evidenced by Freeman et al (2010), and are found equally in the interpretation of 3D seismic volumes. For 3D seismic volumes this is partly the result of common interpretation methodologies in which key surfaces are interpreted from 2D grids of selected lines, to construct a template for the full 3D interpretation.…”

Section: Discussion: Volume Uncertainty and Riskmentioning

confidence: 90%

Interpretational variability of structural traps: implications for exploration risk and volume uncertainty

Richards

Richardson²,

Bond

et al. 2015

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Defining the size and shape of hydrocarbon traps is a critical component in estimating the economic value of potential and existing oil and gas fields and is, therefore, a key business risk. Structural traps, defined by fault and fold geometries, form the most common type of hydrocarbon trap, the size estimates of which are based on interpretation of subsurface data, most notably seismic imagery. Interpretation of seismic image data is uncertain, as the subsurface images have limited resolution and quality; in 2D datasets the imagery is spatially limited and the interpretation requires interpolation between images. Here we present data from top reservoir maps created by eight interpretation teams, each of which interpreted a grid of 2D seismic sections at a regular spacing of 1 km, over a 220 km 2 area. The resultant maps are compared for interpretation variability. Fault statistics have been generated for each map and compared with analogue datasets to aid in the identification of anomalous interpretations, and to create a likelihood rank for each map. The structural traps identified by each team are compared, and the two largest traps are assessed for their potential trapped hydrocarbon volume. An initial volume and a corrected volume, accounting for potential fault seal breach by reservoir-reservoir juxtaposition across the trap-defining faults, are calculated. The integrated analysis of the multiple interpretations: (a) captures the interpretational uncertainty, (b) determines the likeliness (or risk) of each interpretation being valid, when compared with analogue datasets and (c) assesses the impact of each interpretation on the economic viability of potential prospects (defined by structural traps).

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Section: Discussion: Volume Uncertainty and Riskmentioning

confidence: 90%

Interpretational variability of structural traps: implications for exploration risk and volume uncertainty

Richards

Richardson²,

Bond

et al. 2015

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“…Empirical geological rules can be used to reduce uncertainty in the seismic interpretations of fractures (e.g. Freeman et al 2010).…”

Section: Seismic Reflection Surveys and Borehole Log Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances in the study of naturally fractured hydrocarbon reservoirs: a broad integrated interdisciplinary applied topic

Spence

Couples

Bevan

et al. 2014

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Naturally fractured reservoirs, within which porosity, permeability pathways and/or impermeable barriers formed by the fracture network interact with those of the host rock matrix to influence fluid flow and storage, can occur in sedimentary, igneous and metamorphic rocks. These reservoirs constitute a substantial percentage of remaining hydrocarbon resources; they create exploration targets in otherwise impermeable rocks, including under-explored crystalline basement, and they can be used as geological stores for anthropogenic carbon dioxide. Their complex fluid flow behaviour during production has traditionally proved difficult to predict, causing a large degree of uncertainty in reservoir development. The applied study of naturally fractured reservoirs seeks to constrain this uncertainty and maximize production by developing new understanding, and is necessarily a broad, integrated, interdisciplinary topic. Some of the methods, challenges and advances in characterizing the interplay of rock matrix and fracture networks relevant to fluid flow and hydrocarbon recovery are reviewed and discussed via the contributions in this volume.Global estimates of conventional hydrocarbon resources are typically subdivided based on lithological reservoir types for example, carbonate or siliciclastic (e.g. Roehl & Choquette 1985). However, many of these sedimentary rock reservoirs may contain fractures to a greater or lesser degree. The recent boom of unconventional reservoirs highlights once again the key role that natural fractures can play in helping production of fluids. It also requires an improved understanding of the geology and physics of natural fracture networks to meet public expectations regarding safety issues. Moreover, fracture networks can be present in otherwise impermeable crystalline basement rocks (e.g. Sanders et al. 2003;Murray & Montgomery 2012;Slightam 2012) and igneous intrusions (e.g. Gudmundsson & Løtveit 2012), also allowing these rocks to form potential fractured reservoirs. Historically, fractured crystalline basement rocks have been under-explored as potential hydrocarbon reservoirs. Naturally fractured reservoirs constitute a substantial percentage of remaining hydrocarbon resources. Naturally fractured reservoirsA reservoir fracture is a general term used to describe a 'naturally occurring macroscopic planar discontinuity in rock due to deformation, or physical diagenesis' (Nelson 2001). Reservoir fractures encompass both extensional ( joints) and shear (faults) structures. Fractures formed by brittle tectonic deformation are the most common focus for studies of naturally fractured reservoirs. However, reservoir fractures may also include structures that formed by desiccation (e.g. shrinkage cracks) and syneresis (e.g. chickenwire texture) in sediments, and structures that formed by thermal , as used here. Naturally fractured reservoirs are generally defined as such when the fracture network has a significant influence on fluid flow in the reservoir such that: (1) the fracture networ...

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“…While a structural model derived from seismic interpretation is always nonunique we have to be careful to ensure wherever possible that our combined fault and horizon interpretation is qualified by analysis. Barnett et al (1987) introduced the notion of fault displacement analysis and Freeman et al (2010) showed how this could be extended to limit interpretation errors by considering the inferred wall rock strain. Our model incorporates all the faults that we observe in the seismic over their entire imaged depth range.…”

Section: Revised Interpretation For a Better Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Building a robust framework model for geomechanical prediction of fracture density, orientation and likely hydraulic signature: Leading-edge technology in the Gorm field Danish Central Graben

Quinn¹,

Freeman²,

Arnhild³

et al. 2014

SEG Technical Program Expanded Abstracts 2014

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Using empirical geological rules to reduce structural uncertainty in seismic interpretation of faults

Cited by 44 publications

References 14 publications

Interpretational variability of structural traps: implications for exploration risk and volume uncertainty

Interpretational variability of structural traps: implications for exploration risk and volume uncertainty

Advances in the study of naturally fractured hydrocarbon reservoirs: a broad integrated interdisciplinary applied topic

Building a robust framework model for geomechanical prediction of fracture density, orientation and likely hydraulic signature: Leading-edge technology in the Gorm field Danish Central Graben

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