Whither seismic stratigraphy?

Abstract

Here, I provide an historical summary of seismic stratigraphy and suggest some potential avenues for future collaborative work between sedimentary geologists and geophysicists. Stratigraphic interpretations based on reflection geometry- or shape-based approaches have been used to reconstruct depositional histories and to make qualitative and (sometimes) quantitative predictions of rock physical properties since at least the mid-1970s. This is the seismic stratigraphy that is usually practiced by geology-focused interpreters. First applied to 2D seismic data, interest in seismic stratigraphy was reinvigorated by the development of seismic geomorphology on 3D volumes. This type of reflection geometry/shape-based interpretation strategy is a fairly mature science that includes seismic sequence analysis, seismic facies analysis, reflection character analysis, and seismic geomorphology. Rock property predictions based on seismic stratigraphic interpretations usually are qualitative, and reflection geometries commonly may permit more than one interpretation. Two geophysics-based approaches, practiced for nearly the same length of time as seismic stratigraphy, have yet to gain widespread adoption by geologic interpreters even though they have much potential application. The first is the use of seismic attributes for “feature detection,” i.e., helping interpreters to identify stratigraphic bodies that are not readily detected in conventional amplitude displays. The second involves rock property (lithology, porosity, etc.) predictions from various inversion methods or seismic attribute analyses. Stratigraphers can help quality check the results and learn about relationships between depositional features and lithologic properties of interest. Stratigraphers also can contribute to a better seismic analysis by helping to define the effects of “stratigraphy” (e.g., laminations, porosity, bedding) on rock properties and seismic responses. These and other seismic-related pursuits would benefit from enhanced collaboration between sedimentary geologists and geophysicists.

Logan Medallist 3. Making Stratigraphy Respectable: From Stamp Collecting to Astronomical Calibration

“…The increasing use of horizontal 'seiscrop' sections (horizontal sections extracted from three-dimensional data volumes) has led to the development of an entirely new discipline, seismic geomorphology, which deals with the analysis of ancient depositional systems based on their preserved landscape architecture and three-dimensional construction (Davies et al 2007;Hart 2013). Furthermore, the debate about global eustasy placed renewed emphasis on the need for accurate global chronostratigraphic correlations in order to test regional and global correlations, and this also encouraged new work in this field.…”

“…5. Modern seismic methods, including seismic geomorphology (Veeken 2007;Davies et al 2007;Hart 2013). 6.…”

Depositional sequence characterization based on seismic variational mode decomposition

“…Ligtenberg et al (2006) use the Wheeler transform (or chronostratigraphic) based on the principle of superposition to define geologic events and lithologic units representing a relative geologic time scale. Such seismic stratigraphy, and hence sequence stratigraphy information, is buried in conventional seismic amplitude volumes (Hart, 2013), although the quality of seismic data itself limits the extraction of this information.…”

Application of seismic stratigraphy and structural analysis in the determination of petroleum plays within the Eastern Niger Delta Basin, Nigeria

“…Gradually, as geophysicists realized that the additional benefits provided by 3D seismic will improve stratigraphic interpretation of data; seismic interpreters quickly took advantage of this new insight by studying objects of different geologic origins and their spatial relationships. Not all stratigraphic features of interest are readily apparent in amplitude data (Hart 2013). Various seismic attributes have shown to be useful for detecting stratigraphic features in the data in the same way that some attributes are useful for identifying structural features such as faults (Hart 2013).…”

“…Not all stratigraphic features of interest are readily apparent in amplitude data (Hart 2013). Various seismic attributes have shown to be useful for detecting stratigraphic features in the data in the same way that some attributes are useful for identifying structural features such as faults (Hart 2013). In this study two unique and significant attributes-RMS amplitude and semblance were utilized in characterizing the reservoirs and identifying fault geometries (Figs.…”