Analysis of seismic attributes to enhance a Bottom Simulating Reflector (BSR) in the gas hydrate area of Umitaka Spur, eastern margin of Japan Sea

Abstract

This work aims to evaluate the best seismic attributes to use to identify the Bottom Simulating Reflector (BSR) of Umitaka Spur, a well-known gas hydrate area in Joetsu Basin, Japan. For this purpose, it uses 2D single-channel seismic data from cruises NT07-20 and NT08-09 provided by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). The methodology used for the qualitative analysis of six seismic attributes to highlight the BSR was done using Schlumberger’s Petrel software. These attributes were Envelope, RMS Amplitude, Amplitude Volume Technique (tecVA), Relative Acoustic Impedance, Spectral Decomposition and Instantaneous Frequency. Thus, this study was fundamental to investigate gas hydrates occurrence through the seismic assessment of some geophysical property (amplitude and frequency) and the geological attributes that highlighted the faults of the complex local geology. The application of these attributes can be used in other areas providing an effective tool to enhance the recognition of BSR all over the world.