3-D instantaneous frequency used as a coherency/continuity parameter to interpret reservoir compartment boundaries across an area of complex turbidite deposition

Abstract

In previous unpublished work, we found that anomalous values of instantaneous frequency (that is, frequency values that are negative or that have positive magnitudes greater than Nyquist limit) are valuable indicators of alterations in reflection waveshape that occur commonly at stratigraphic terminations. Inspection of 3-D seismic data across Nash Draw Field on the northwest slope of the Delaware Basin showed that appreciable wavelet alterations occurred at the boundaries of distinct seismic facies within the targeted Brushy Canyon reservoirs that are being produced in this field. Based on this observation, we used instantaneous frequency as the fundamental database to define the edge positions and areal shapes of individual reservoir facies within this complex, slope‐basin distribution of siltstones and sandstones, commonly thought to be a succession of turbidite depositions. We compared the compartmentalization detail derived from this frequency‐based approach with compartmentalization models provided by an amplitude‐based interpretation and by coherency/continuity cube technology. These comparisons led us to conclude that a properly executed 3-D interpretation of instantaneous frequency behavior can provide a good first guess of the internal compartmented structure of many reservoirs. We offer our work here for peer evaluation by people who support reservoir characterization studies similar to what we describe. We have used instantaneous frequency behavior to successfully detect lateral disruptions in stratigraphic continuity for several years—long before the current concept of a coherency (or continuity) cube was publicized for this same purpose. This study shows that interpreters who do not have ready access to coherency‐cube technology, but who do have Hilbert transform algorithms available to them, can create 3-D volumes of instantaneous frequency that provide valuable indications of reflection discontinuity, much in the same way that continuity/coherency cube technology does.

Weighted average seismic attributes

“…They are used when resolution is of first importance or when the spikes themselves are of interest (Hardage, 1987, p. 218;Hardage et al, 1998). However, spikes and noise in the attributes sometimes obscure important trends.…”

Advanced Oil Recovery Technologies for Improved Recovery from Slope Basin Clastic Reservoirs, Nash Draw Brushy Canyon Pool, Eddy County, NM

“…2 The interpreted seismic data indicated that the NDP may be highly compartmentalized, and that some of the compartments, for some sand sequences in the "L" zone, may be much smaller than 300 acres. 11 Results of seismic data [1][2][3]16,17 and other interpretations were used for targeted drilling in high-grade areas of the NDP.…”

“…In particular, on the basis of the interpreted seismic amplitude data, the area around the proposed pilot centered at NDP Well #1 was reduced to a "lobe" of approximately 300 acres (121 hectares) containing NDP Wells #1, #5, #6, #10, and #14 16,17 . Moreover, the interpreted seismic data indicated that the NDP may be highly compartmentalized, and that some of the compartments, for some sand sequences in the "L" zone, may be much smaller than 300 acres (121 hectares).…”

“…Phase II of the project was the "Implementation Phase" in which results of the pilot testing would be considered for expansion to the remainder of the field. Details and results of the NDP project are documented in annual reports [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] and a final Phase I report 11 submitted to DOE and in several technical papers [12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] that resulted from the project.…”

Play analysis and leading-edge oil-reservoir development methods in the Permian basin: Increased recovery through advanced technologies

“…The first large oil field (Westbrook) was discovered in the Permian basin in 1921, and other major discoveries followed in the 1920s and 1930s, including Yates Artesia platform sandstone Improved waterflooding by drilling infill wells, realigning patterns, and increasing water injection Ring and Smith (1995) CO 2 flooding Ring and Smith (1995) Queen tidal-flat sandstone Drilling bypassed pay identified by 3-D seismic-attribute analysis Lufholm et al (1996) Delaware Mountain Group basinal sandstone CO 2 flooding Pittaway and Rosato (1991); Flanders and DePauw (1993); Dutton et al (2003) Horizontal and vertical wells drilled in areas identified by 3-D seismic-attribute analysis Hardage et al (1998a, b) Grayburg Magruder et al (1990) San Andres karst-modified platform carbonate…”