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Lecture-2

Introduction to

Seismic (Data)
Interpretation
Learning objectives:

1. What is seismic interpretation

2. Major workflow of 2D seismic interpretation manually
3. How to work on seismic interpretation will be done by lab.
Content of the lecture

1. What is seismic interpretation.

2. What is seismic section.
3. Pre-requsite for seismic interpretation.
4. Procedure for seismic interpretation.
5. Some concerns on seismic interpretation.
Content of the lecture

1. What is seismic interpretation.

2. What is seismic section.
3. Pre-requsite for seismic interpretation.
4. Procedure for seismic interpretation.
5. Some concerns on seismic interpretation.
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Interpretation ?
Observation, Imagination, Inference, Judgement, Decision......
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Deep water > 3000m, No well data What/How to Interpret ?

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Drilling
the Driving Force of an E & P company

Drilling---> Exploration/Appraisal wells

Explorationists propose the well location mostly

base on seismic interpretation
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Objectives of seismic interpretation

1. Prospect generation and evaluation

looking for suitable locations for drilling
by making maps
To provide geologic information (reservoir depth structure, thickness, porosity, etc.).
Petroleum system
Reservoir, Trap, Seal,structural evolution....

2. Reservoir characterization(Q.I)
Estimation of reservoir parameters
Area, thickness, porosity, permeability, saturation etc.
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Definition of seismic interpretation

Traditionally
Structural Mapping
Horizon/Fault Picking
Develop Geological structural concept/model
Prospects generation

Broad sense or modern seismic interpretaion

Intergrated in a "complete " interpretation

(Reservoir) Geophysicists
(Reservoir) Geologists
(Reservoir) Engineers
(Drilling) Engineers
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What is seismic interpretation?

Interpretation is extracting the geologic information/story contained in
seismic data.
Correlating the features in seismic data with elements of geology.
Formation/top Structure
Anticline, syncline
Fault patterns
Stratigraphy
Unconformity/topography
Pinch-out
Channels, reefs, salt domes
possibily Depositional environments and depositional history
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more precise definition of seismic interpretation

Seismic interpretation ------>Geological Interpretation

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Seismic to Geology
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Prospect map
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Definition of (subsurface) Structure

Elevation of Formation(Sand/Horizon) Top + Faults
Either in Time(TWT) or Depth domain
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Main Result of seismic Interpretation

Closure
1. Morphology
2. Area
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The purpose of seismic interpretation

Searching Oil & Gas

Drilling wells

Prospects

Subsurface structure

Seismic interpretation
Discovery, Appraisal, Development
Content of the lecture

1. What is seismic interpretation.

2. What is seismic section.
3. Pre-requsite for seismic interpretation.
4. Procedure for seismic interpretation.
5. Some concerns on seismic interpretation.
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What is a Seismic Section ?

Normal Incidence Seismic Reflection.

Section=raypaths Striking reflectors at 900.
Zero Offset seismic section
Migrated, Zero offset...
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Seismic section
Annotation
Surface location by SP/CDP no.
Reflection time by TWT

TWT

x-coor: SP(2D), IL/XL(3D)

y-coor: TWT(ms)
1. Position
2D seismic---SP. no
3D seismic ---IL, XL no.( X, Y coordinate)
2. Travel time---TWT in ms
3. Traces, Wiggle trace
4. Amplitude
5. Polarity(+ or -reflection)
6. Reflection events
7. Reflection termination(Fault)
7. Sequence(internal, external morphology)
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Seismic data display

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2D Seismic Base Map

SP(Shot Point) annotated

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3D Seismic Base Map

Inline + Xline annotated
1. no. & orientation of IL + XL
2. Starting point of IL + XL
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Terms definition of reflection seismic

CDP
Offset, Zero Offset
Seismic section,TWT
2D, 3D Seismic, Amplitude
Data volume, Segy format
Sp, CDP no., IL, XL
Seismic attributes
Content of the lecture

1. What is seismic interpretation.

2. What is seismic section.
3. Pre-requsite for seismic interpretation.
4. Procedure for seismic interpretation.
5. Some concerns on seismic interpretation.
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Pre-requisite of interpretation

Knowledge of geology and geophysical processes

Type of data and type of information which can be extracted
Objective of interpretation and conditioning of seismic data

Elements of seismic data

Modes of display
Range of Data(8,16,32 bits)
Amplitude, time and frequency
Role of colours and colour bar
Contrasting and gradational colour scheme

Polarity and phase conventions

Resolution and detectability
Seismic to well tie
Character based matching between synthetic and seismic
Time to depth conversion (T-D curves)
Check shots/VSP, Synthetics
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(Seismic)Structural Interpretation
Data Preparation:
1. Seismic sections(2D/3D)
2. Wells /w Density+Sonic Logs
3. Check shot if available
4. Well Tops should be decided

Basic works:
1. Base Map
2. Data coonsistency(orientation)
3. Synthetic seismograms

Basic parameters:
1. CRS(Coordinate Reference System)
2. SRD(Seismic Reference Datum)/replacement velocity
3.2D(SP, CDP), 3D(IL, XL)
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Data for Seismic Interpretation

Seismic interpretation & subsurface mapping are key skills that are used commonly in the oil industry.
It is used to generate reasonable models and predictions about the properties and structures of the subsurface.
To start interpretation, We must have:
Base Map: shot point location
Seismic sections: Inline & Crossline
Available Wells:
Velocity data from wells:from Cheak Shot, VSP.
Formation Top of the well: to determine the top of horizon
Logs & reports: Sonic,GR,Density & other logs
Content of the lecture

1. What is seismic interpretation.

2. What is seismic section.
3. Pre-requsite for seismic interpretation.
4. Procedure for seismic interpretation.
5. Some concerns on seismic interpretation.
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Structural Interpretation
Legacy Routine procedures
Loop
loop is tie between Inline & Crossline.
The main idea of loop, is to correlate between two line have the same shot point (one of
them is accurate data) to detect the interested horizon accurately at the unknown one.
we start to pick the horizon at the crossline. Then we repeat this process to complete the
loop, & run the process to pick the horizon at all lines.

Mis-Tie:

The same event doesn't have the same absolute values. A situation in interpretation of seismic data in
which predicted and actual values differ, or when an interpreted reflection does not close, or tie, when
interpreting intersecting lines.

Static Shift: when the difference is constant at all horizons & fixed easily by Mis-Tie analysis Correction.
Dynamic Shift: the difference is not constant & fixed by specific softwares & sometimes, we just adjust the
intersted horizon & don't care about the other horizons.

NOTES:

If there is no wells, we choose the section which has most clearly structures & keep it as a refrence line
The direction of faults in arbitary line depend on level of formation tops at each well
The dip angle of faults depend on th bottom of horizon.
The seismic line must be prepindicular to fault to show fault on seismic section.
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Before starting interpretation

1. Check Shot survey:

Time/Depth table & Chart

2. Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP):

advantage for VSP is the ability to give good

results in deviated wells.
synthetic Seismiogram are often unrealiable.
VSP produces Time/Depth Scale & VSP section,
Check-shot just produces time/depth scale
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Results of a typical VSP survey

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Interpretation steps:

1- Loading the data:

Seismic sections: (poststack data).
Available Wells data: Well logs & formation tops
Velocity Data of wells: from Check-shot survey or Vertical Seismic Profiling.

2- Well Tie:
We create a Synthetic Seismogram to know the accurate location of the formation tops of intersested
horizonthen tie it with the seismic section.
Synthetic indicates also that if the horizon response is peak or trough.

From the well, we know the depth of the event (Formation tops).

From plotting values of depths & times which came from the check-shot survey, we can extract the time
value for certain depth ( to mark that depth on seismic section).

We repeat these steps with all wells to get the true depth of the horizon.

NOTES:
We must know the datum of survey (datum survey in seismic called Seismic refrence datum).
If the Check-shot time is one way time, we must convert it to two way time.
We must know the type of well depth (TVD, MD, or TVDsubsea).
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2. Synthetic seismogram

Synthetic seismogram, commonly called a synthetic.

it is a direct one-dimensional model of acoustic energy traveling through the layers of

the Earth.

The synthetic seismogram is generated by convolving the reflectivity derived from

acoustic and density logs with the wavelet derived from seismic data.

By comparing marker beds or other correlation points picked on well logs with major
reflections on the seismic section.

The quality of the match between a synthetic seismogram depends on well log quality,
seismic data processing quality, and the ability to extract a representative wavelet from
seismic data

The acoustic log is generally calibrated with check-shot or vertical seismic profile (VSP)
before combining with the density log to produce acoustic impedance.

Synthetic seismigram indicates also if the target horizon is peak or trough in seismic
sections.
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3- Picking Horizon:
Picking is a reflection on a seismic section. It involves deciding what
wiggles from trace to trace are from the same reflection

a-Arbitrarly Line(well connection):

it is a seismic line contains the data of the available wells (called also Key
line in 2-D interpretation)

This line contain the most accurate data because it contains a real data
about the depth of intersted horizon became from already drilled wells.

This arbitary line is determines from a map view of data then flatterned as
one seismic section in section view.

Then, we determine the formation tops under each well to mark the horizon
location.

In 2-D interpretation case, we use the Key line as a refrence line.

The Key Line is a seismic line passes through which contain many wells Arbitrary Line flattened
data as much as possible.
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Structural Interpretation
Horizon + Faults picking & mapping
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4- Picking Faults/structure:

Structure:
It is finding & marking structures at the horizon (Faults for
example).
Fault segments
We pick the fault on seismic section & find it at the other
seismic lines.
The fault in seismic section is called Fault Segment.
The fault on map view is called Fault Polygon.

Picking
We start marking of interseted horizon under each well in
the arbitary line.
Complete picking the horizon in the seismic line
Horizon picking

Fault polygons
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5- Two Way Time (TWT)Map:

At first, we take the time values of horizon at each shot point

Then, post these values at the line on base map. Repeat this stpe at each line.
After that, Contour these values to get TWT map with suitable contour interval.

NOTES:
Before contouring, First we load the fault polygons on map
The contour map must have:
Map name: (ex: Horizon-A TWT Map)
Contour Interval: (ex: 20ms)
Scale: (ex: 1:25000)
Scale Bar:
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Summary on Structural Interpretation

Structural map generation

1. post picked horizon reflection TWT

2. Joint the faults (Geological meanfull/plausible)
3. Contouring
4. Refine the horizon+faults picking and interpretation
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Structural Interpretation
Main result----TWT structure map
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6- Velocity map:
put the average velocity determined at each well. The average velocities in well became from Check-shot survey
or VSP
we repeat this step at each well in survey area & contouring the velocity values of wells to get Velocity map.

NOTES:

The velocity required for the map is Average velocity

If there is no wells in area, we use velocity extracted from seismic data(Stacking Velocity or RMS velocity.)
These velocities is estimated by Velocity Analysis during processing.
In case of determining velocity from check-shot survey, the result velocity will multiplying by 2 (to convert it to one- way time).
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7- Depth contour map:

We generate the depth map values from the velocity & one way time map.
The depth converted map shows the depths of intersted horizon.

NOTES:
At most cases, the shape of two way time map is look like the Depth map
If there is a closure occurred in TWT map & not existed in Depth map, the error usually come from
the velocity map then try to fix it.
If there is a closure occurred in Depth map & not existed in TWT map, so there is a big error
occurred & can't to drill in this closure depending on Depth map only.

TWT map Depth map

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Structural Interpretation

Display of Structure(map)
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Characteristics of Structure(map)

Faults-Define trap, sub-Blocking

Contour Line-Closure area extension
Prospect generation
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Subsequent study of structural Interpretation

Whenever the structural maps

completed, there are many studies
will follow up;
:
1. Geological/environmental
2. Structural evolution
3. Geochemical simualtion
4. Structual modeling
5. Reservoir modeling
6. Inversion, AVO analysis
7. Spectral Decomposition
8. Seismic Attributes
9. Horizon Slice(Seismic
Geomorphology)
Summary of seismic interpretation workflow

1. Data Loading
2. Seismic Well Tie
3. Fault Picking/Definition
4. Horizon Picking
5. TWT Structure Mapping
6. Velocity Modeling
7. Time Depth Conversion
8. Depth Structure Mapping
Content of the lecture

1. What is seismic interpretation.

2. What is seismic section.
3. Pre-requsite for seismic interpretation.
4. Procedure for seismic interpretation.
5. Some concerns on seismic interpretation.
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Disciplines of Seismic Interpretation

1. Faithfull to the seismic data (99%)

Cut across reflection not allowed

2. One line feature always is not true

Confirmed by at least 2 or 4 seismic lines
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Horizon Picking-Keep consistency

Exception are Reef top and Unconformity-Topographic Picking
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Seismic Interpretation

Don't cut across the obvious/continuous reflection

Don't put a fault on the continuous reflection

Essence
of seismic Interpretation
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Particular features of seismic interpretation

Seismic Interpretation
Well Log Interpretation

To To
Pratice......
Know Do
Theory, Tools/Softwares Implementation
Principles +Data
(Methods/Skills)

Pratice again, again..to accumulate experience

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Summary of Seismic Interpretation

The purpose of interpretation is to obtain depth map (structural map) of the survey area.

We can divide interpretation into three parts

The interpretation of structure using the geometry of the beds
The interpretation of lithology using seismic signatures and seismic attributes.

1. Structural interpretation
is relatively straightforward and is largely visual.
-the internal geometry of layered strata is revealed
-sediment's packages may be identified
-erosion surfaces can be identified
-channelling can be identified

It is possible to estimate the lithology (sediment type) from a seismic record, although this is less precise than determining
the structure.

2. Stratigraphic interpretation
The key is the seismic signature of the sections
the internal appearance of a bed, arising from the composite effect of numerous small reflectors within it.

3. Q.I. Seismic Interpretation

mostly using the pre stack seismic data
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Job functions of seismic interpreters

Project and data management
Data conditioning (interpretive processing)
Scaling, filtering, structural smoothing etc.
Integration of various types of data (seismic, well etc.)
Seismic well tie(Calibration of sonic/checkshot)
Synthetic seismogram generation and correlation with seismic
Visualization

Horizon and fault Correlation/Tracking/Picking

Generation of time maps
Depth conversion and generation of depth maps

Special studies
Seismic Attributes
Direct hydrocarbon indicators (DHI)
AVO
Seismic Inversion
Time lapse reservoir monitoring
Integration of structure, attributes, impedance, geologic model etc.
Prospect generation, identification and evaluation