Curvature attributes and seismic interpretation: Case studies from Argentina basins

Sigismondi, Mario; Soldo, Juan

doi:10.1190/1.1634916

Cited by 91 publications

(22 citation statements)

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“…In a 2D space, curvature at a point on a curve is defined as the inverse of the radius of a circle that is tangent to the curve at the point ( Figure 1) (Roberts, 2001;Sigismondi and Soldo, 2003;Chopra and Marfurt, 2007). In a 3D space, curvature at a point on a surface is a function of azimuth (Roberts, 2001).…”

Section: Extreme Curvature Analysismentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Many authors have published on reflection curvature attributes for detecting fractures (e.g., Lisle, 1994;Roberts, 2001;Hart et al, 2002;Sigismondi and Soldo, 2003;Al-Dossary and Marfurt, 2006;Blumentritt et al, 2006;Hart, 2006;Sullivan et al, 2006;Chopra and Marfurt, 2007, 2010Klein et al, 2008;Staples and Marfurt, 2011;Di and Gao, 2014b); however, curvature is a secondorder geometric attribute that has its limitations in fracture detection. In complement to curvature, Gao (2013) proposed a third-order geometric attribute flexure to describe reflection geometry by calculating the rate of change in curvature along reflections.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Extreme curvature and extreme flexure analysis for fracture characterization from 3D seismic data: New analytical algorithms and geologic implications

Gao

2015

GEOPHYSICS

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Fracture characterization is fundamental to the reliable prediction of fractured reservoirs; however, it is difficult and expensive to obtain detailed fracture information required for reservoir prediction due to the lack of direct observational data in the subsurface. Here we develop seismic analysis methods to characterize fractured reservoirs based on reflection geometry related to bending and shearing of reservoir formations. Among various geometric attributes, we focus on extreme curvature and extreme flexure that are considered effective at detecting fractures. Extreme curvature refers to the signed absolute maximum curvature at a specific azimuth where the curve shape is the tightest, whereas extreme flexure refers to the signed absolute maximum gradient of curvature at a specific azimuth where the curve shape changes the most. We implement new algorithms based on analytical equations to calculate extreme curvature and extreme flexure along with the corresponding azimuth from 3D seismic data. Results from 3D seismic surveys demonstrate that the new algorithms help resolve structural details that are otherwise not easily discernible from regular amplitude and conventional attributes. Most importantly, the algorithms hold the potential to volumetrically detect and visualize fractures in an automatic and quantitative manner. We conclude that extreme curvature and extreme flexure attributes have important geologic implications for predicting fundamental fracture properties that are critical to fractured reservoir characterization in the subsurface.

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Section: Extreme Curvature Analysismentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Extreme curvature and extreme flexure analysis for fracture characterization from 3D seismic data: New analytical algorithms and geologic implications

Gao

2015

GEOPHYSICS

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“…The curvature attribute has been known to be very powerful and a useful tool in delineating faults that are smeared due to inaccurate migration [51] and predicting the orientation and distribution of fractures [52,53]. Curvature also aids in the mapping of stratigraphic features such as channels, levees, bars, and contourites, especially in a region where older rocks have undergone differential compactions [54].…”

Section: Maximum Curvaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sigismondi and Soldo [51] clarified that the use of a correct color map with an appropriate range of values is important for better visualization as the wrong use of a color map can result in the loss of structural and stratigraphic seismic definitions. In this study, we either used a grey scale or a coherency color map as it helped in enhancing subtle discontinuities.…”

Section: Maximum Curvaturementioning

confidence: 99%

The Application of Seismic Attributes and Wheeler Transformations for the Geomorphological Interpretation of Stratigraphic Surfaces: A Case Study of the F3 Block, Dutch Offshore Sector, North Sea

et al. 2018

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Abstract:This study was carried out in the Pliocene interval of the southern North Sea F3 Block in the Netherlands. This research paper demonstrates how an integrated interpretation of geological information using seismic attributes, sequence stratigraphic interpretation and Wheeler transformation methods allow for the accurate interpretation of the depositional environment of a basin, as well as locating seismic geomorphological features. The methodology adopted here is to generate a 3D dip-steered HorizonCube followed by chronostratigraphic analysis, 3D Wheeler transformation, and system tract interpretation. A dip-steered seismic attribute (similarity, dip, and curvature) was performed on each stratigraphic surface of interest and the isopach maps were generated for each stratigraphic surface to help identify the maximum deposition. The results of this study show that the similarity attribute is able to identify distinct stratigraphic features such as sand-waves and deep marine meandering channels. However, its lateral continuity is poorly understood, as the similarity attribute does not take into account the true geological dip and curvature of the surfaces. Structural features such as faults are not easily recognizable due to these reasons. However, the dip-apparent attributes are found to be very useful in identifying both the structural and stratigraphic features. The seismic dip map is then improved by rotating the dip measurements to user-defined azimuths. Such optimization has revealed the structural and stratigraphic features that are not clearly evident on the similarity and curvature attributes. The maximum curvature attribute is found to be useful in delineating faults and predicting the orientation and distribution of fractures and also in subtle structural features.

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“…Starting with Lisle (1994), geophysicists have made significant progress in applying curvature to 3D seismic structure interpretation and fracture delineation (e.g., Roberts, 2001;Sigismondi and Soldo, 2003;Blumentritt et al, 2006;Marfurt, 2007a, 2007b). Among various measures of curvature in 3D space, the most popular and useful are signed maximum curvature, dip/strike curvatures, and most positive/negative curvatures.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improved estimates of seismic curvature and flexure based on 3D surface rotation in the presence of structure dip

Gao

2016

GEOPHYSICS

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Fracture characterization is critical to reliable prediction of fractured reservoirs. Fractures formed by folding and/or shearing of reservoir formations, can be detected using seismic curvature and flexure analysis. Previous curvature and flexure analysis methods often have limitations in accuracy and efficiency in the presence of structural dip. We have developed new algorithms for volumetric curvature and flexure analysis based on 3D surface rotation using the local reflector dip to improve the accuracy and efficiency for curvature and flexure analysis in structurally complex settings. Among the various measures of curvature and flexure in 3D space, we have focused on signed maximum curvature and flexure that are considered to be most effective for predicting intensity and orientation of faults and fractures in fractured reservoirs. The application of the algorithms to a 3D seismic survey from Teapot Dome (Wyoming) demonstrated that the new methods help resolve subtle structural details that are otherwise not easily discernible from regular amplitude and conventional attributes, thus enhancing our capability to visualize and understand the structural complexity of fractured reservoirs.

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Curvature attributes and seismic interpretation: Case studies from Argentina basins

Cited by 91 publications

References 0 publications

Extreme curvature and extreme flexure analysis for fracture characterization from 3D seismic data: New analytical algorithms and geologic implications

Extreme curvature and extreme flexure analysis for fracture characterization from 3D seismic data: New analytical algorithms and geologic implications

The Application of Seismic Attributes and Wheeler Transformations for the Geomorphological Interpretation of Stratigraphic Surfaces: A Case Study of the F3 Block, Dutch Offshore Sector, North Sea

Improved estimates of seismic curvature and flexure based on 3D surface rotation in the presence of structure dip

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