Interpretation of full-azimuth broadband land data from Saudi Arabia and implications for improved inversion, reservoir characterization, and exploration

Abstract

Interpretation of conventional land seismic data over a Permian-age gas field in Eastern Saudi Arabia has proven difficult over time due to low signal-to-noise ratio and limited bandwidth in the seismic volume. In an effort to improve the signal and broaden the bandwidth, newly acquired seismic data over this field have employed point receiver technology, dense wavefield sampling, a full azimuth geometry, and a specially designed sweep with useful frequencies as low as three hertz. The resulting data display enhanced reflection continuity and improved resolution. With the extension of low frequencies and improved interpretability, acoustic impedance inversion results are more robust and allow greater flexibility in reservoir characterization and prediction. In addition, because inversion to acoustic impedance is no longer completely tied to a wells-only low-frequency model, there are positive implications for exploration.

Integration of broadband seismic data into reservoir characterization workflows: A case study from the Campos Basin, Brazil

“…The benefits of such an acquisition configuration have been demonstrated in previous seismic imaging (Soubaras and Whiting, 2011;Masclet et al, 2015a) and seismic velocity model building work (Masclet et al, 2015b). The improvement in reservoir characterization conditioned by the wider frequency bandwidth of broadband seismic data has also been shown in previous case studies (Lafet et al, 2012;Reiser et al, 2012;Soubaras et al, 2012;Wallick and Giroldi, 2013;Kneller et al, 2013;and Michel and Sablon, 2016).…”

Marine, seabed, and land seismic equipment for broadband acquisition: a review

“…In any case, processing broadband data is complex, the parameters being quite different depending on the frequency range (e.g., operator length). Overall, it is the capability to integrate all these steps in an efficient way that makes broadband surveys able to identify new prospects onshore (Wallick and Giroldi, 2013) and offshore (Firth et al 2014;Kneller et al 2015).…”

Fundamental controls on fluid flow in carbonates: current workflows to emerging technologies

“…Even in the absence of well data, it is now possible to generate much higher resolution images. The low-frequency content of seismic data gives a greater measure of confidence in impedance results away from well control by reducing interpretational bias (Wallick & Giroldi 2013). Further applications of spectral decomposition include: the improved resolution of a reef boundary (Nejad et al 2009); the delineation of strong amplitude, high-frequency events in producing areas of Brazilian deep-water carbonate reservoirs (de Matos et al 2008); and the use of low-frequency shadows as hydrocarbon indicators in carbonates (Wang 2006).…”

“…Wallick & Giroldi (2013) used full-azimuth broadband data to demonstrate the strong improvements (better signal-to-noise, critical velocity information) from extending low-frequency content down to 3 Hz, as well as the extra detail realized by including higher frequencies. Even in the absence of well data, it is now possible to generate much higher resolution images.…”