Petroleum Geology & Geophysics

FWSchroeder 1
 Acoustic Structure of the Earth

Shot Receiver
Imped Reflection Seismic
Pulse
Low High Coefficients Trace

C
I1 = 1 * V1 O
N
I2 =  2 * V2 V
O
L
I3 =  3 * V3 U
T
I
I4 =  4 * V4 O
N

FWSchroeder 2
 Marking Faults and Horizons

• We have looked at the basic theory behind reflection

seismology in earlier lessons.

• Now we are ready to start marking seismic sections.

• Our first goal is to get a geologic framework:

– Most of the significant fault planes,

– Most of the significant stratigraphic surfaces, and

– Proper horizon-fault and fault-fault intersections.

FWSchroeder 3
 Interpretation Process

Interpret
Faults

Theory
behind Geologic
Iterate
Reflection Framework
Seismology

Interpret
Horizons

FWSchroeder 4
 Geologic Framework
Using all available data (wells, seismic, outcrop, regional
studies, gravity, magnetics, etc.) build a framework of
present-day structure and stratigraphy
➢ Structural Interpretation
• Faults & Folds
• Subsidence & Uplift
• Structural Trends
• Structural Features

➢ Stratigraphic Interpretation
• Unconformities
• Stratal Packages
• Environments / Facies / Lithologies
• Ages

FWSchroeder 5
 Geologic Framework: Structural Analysis

Faults Folds

Diapirs Detached Faults

Salt

FWSchroeder 6
 Interpreting Structure

Structural Structural
Observations Concepts

FWSchroeder 7
 Geologic Framework: Stratigraphic Analysis
Terminations Mark Unconformities and define Seismic Sequences

Erosional Terminations Onlap Terminations

Individual Seismic Sequences Are Analyzed

High

Low

Reflection Geometries Horizon Amplitude

FWSchroeder 8
 Interpreting Stratigraphy

Stratigraphic Stratigraphic
Observations Concepts

FWSchroeder 9
 Structure Maps

Shallow
Can be depth structure (ft or m)
or two-way time structure (ms)

Represents the 3D shape of a

mapped horizon with fault offsets

Can be a 3D visualization or a
contour map

Deep

1 mile 4 Major Faults

FWSchroeder 10
 Remainder of this Course

Seismic Interpretation and Beyond …

➢ Develop a Geologic Framework

➢ Use the Geologic Framework to
Prospecting (Exploration)

Given the scope and time constraints for this course,

we will only be able to look at a subset of the concepts,
procedures and tools that geologist and geophysicists
use in the exploration phase of the oil & gas industry

FWSchroeder 11
 Exploration Workflow: Overview

1. Geologic Framework

2. Data Analysis We can subdivide the

exploration work process from
seismic interpretation forward
3. Prospect Elements into four (4) major elements

4. Prospect Assessment

FWSchroeder 12
 Tying Loops

• To get consistent 3D horizons and fault planes from seismic data, we

use a process called loop tying.
• This process started when we only had 2D seismic lines. It carries over
to some degree with 3D seismic volumes.

• Interpret faults and/or horizons on one

section (e.g., Line 1)
• Transfer your interpretation to another
line at a line intersection (e.g., from
Line 1 to Line B)
• Progressively “tie” loops to branch out
onto all the lines
• Use a base map to mark lines
interpreted and intersections checked
to monitor progress

FWSchroeder 13
 Tying a Fault

• Line 103 (see map)

• Disrupted reflections
are evidence for a
major fault plane
• Fault A is drawn in Fault A

red
200 201 202 203 204 205

100

101

102

103
Line 103
104

FWSchroeder 14
 Fault A on Line 102

• Line 102 (see map)

• Disrupted reflections
are evidence for a
major fault plane

Fault A
200 201 202 203 204 205

100

101

102

103
Line 102
104

FWSchroeder 15
 Intersection of Lines 103 & 201

W E S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
200 201 202 203 204 106 105 104 103 102 101 100

Fault A

Line 103 Line 201

200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 16
 Mark Tie Point on Line 201

W S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
200 201 105 104 103 102 101 100

Line 103 Line 201

200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 17
 Intersection of 102 & 201

W E S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
200 201 202 203 204 106 105 104 103 102 101 100

Fault A

Line 102 Line 201

200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 18
 Mark Tie Point on Line 201

W S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
200 201 105 104 103 102 101 100

Line 102 Line 201

200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 19
 Interpret Line 201

S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line
105 104 103 102 101 100

Fault A

200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
Line 201
103
104

FWSchroeder 20
 Keep Track on the Basemap

For Fault A
• Interpreted on three (3)
200 201 202 203 204 205

lines 100

• Tied at two (2) line 101

intersections 102

103

Continue to map Fault A

and check for areal
104

consistency at other
line intersections

FWSchroeder 21
 Two-Monitor Computer
When interpreting on a computer, most
interpreters use at least 2 monitors
• One to display the seismic lines Basemap
• The second to display a basemap

Seismic
Displays

FWSchroeder 22
 Tying a Horizon

• Line 103 (see map)

• There is a change of
reflection dip about ¼ of
the way down, indicating
an unconformity
• The reflections below the
unconformity rise and Fault A
terminate
200 201 202 203 204 205

100

101

102

103
Line 103
104

FWSchroeder 23
 Intersection 103 & 204

W E S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
200 201 202 203 204 106 105 104 103 102 101 100

Fault A
Fault A

Line 103 Line 204

200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 24
 Intersection Lines 103 & 204

W S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
200 201 202 203 204 106 105 104 103 102 101 100

Fault A
Fault A

Line 103 Line 204

200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 25
 Interpretation of Line 204

S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
106 105 104 103 102 101 100

Fault A

Line 204
200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 26
 Intersection of Lines 204 & 102

W E S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
200 201 202 203 204 106 105 104 103 102 101 100

Fault A
Fault A

Line 102 Line 204

200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 27
 Intersection of Lines 204 & 102

W S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
200 201 202 203 204 106 105 104 103 102 101 100

Fault A

Line 102 Line 204

200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 28
 Interpretation of Line 102

W E
Line Line Line Line Line
200 201 202 203 204

Fault A

Line 102
200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 29
 Intersection of Lines 102 & 201

W E S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
200 201 202 203 204 106 105 104 103 102 101 100

Fault A

Line 102 Line 201

200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 30
 Intersection of Lines 102 & 201

W E S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
200 201 106 105 104 103 102 101 100

Line 102 Line 201

200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 31
 Interpret Lines 201

S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
106 105 104 103 102 101 100

Line 201
200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 32
 Does the Loop Close?
Does the yellow horizon tie where Line 201 intersects with Line 103?

W E S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
200 201 202 203 204 106 105 104 103 102 101 100

Fault A

Line 103 Line 201

200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 33
 Does the Loop Close?
Does the yellow horizon tie where Line 201 intersects with Line 103?

W S N
Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line Line
200 201 106 105 104 103 102 101 100

Line 103 Line 201

200 201 202 203 204 205

100
101
102
103
104

FWSchroeder 34
 Remember Our Goal

1. Build a Geologic Framework

• Structural Framework
• Stratigraphic Framework
2. Identify Prospect Elements
• Source, Migration, Reservoir, Trap, Seal
• Where are all elements favorable
3. Assess Highest-Potential Prospects
• How much oil/gas do we expect?
• How certain are we?
4. Economic Analysis
• Value of the HCs minus the total costs

FWSchroeder 35
FWSchroeder 36