Basics of seismic interpretation 1

By: Amir I. Abdelaziz

Assistant Lecturer , Geology Department, Faculty of Science
Helwan University, Egypt.
• The Seismic Method

Use acoustic waves (sound) to image the subsurface

• Measure
• time for sound to get from surface to subsurface reflectors and back - Two-
way traveltime (twt)
• Amplitude of reflection

• Wanted:
• Depth - Need to know subsurface velocities
• Rock properties (porosity, saturation, etc.)

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Seismic source generates a wavefront, Wavefront represented by the
seismic wavelet.
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 Pulse

• Generate “Bang”

Raypath
Acoustic Wavefront
Pulse Wavefront

Raypath
Raypath

Acoustic Wavefront
Wavefronts
Pulse

encounter an Time's
Arrow A

interface
Raypath
B 4
 • Some energy will be
reflected, some will be
1V1 transmitted where there
2V2 - 1V1 is a change in AI
2V2 + V1 • Amount reflected
1
(amplitude of reflection)
2V2 will depend on the
relative difference in
physical properties
across the interface
1V1

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 • Define reflection coefficient
(RC)

1V1 RC = AI2 – AI1

2V2 - 1V1 AI2 + AI1
2V2 + V1
1
• If AI2 > AI1 – positive RC
2V2 • If AI2 < AI1 – negative RC

1V1

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 Velocity (ft/s,
Rock Density (g/cm3)
(m/s))
Sandstone <17,000
(Unconsolidated) 2.1
(5,180)
Sandstone (Semi- 18,000
consolidated) 2.2
(5,490)
Sandstone 19,000
(Consolidated) 2.6
(5,790)
Shale 6,000 – 16,000
1.9 – 2.7
(1830 – 4880)
Limestone 21,000
2.6
(6,400)
Dolomite 23,000
2.8
(7,010)
Anhydrite 20,000
2.98
(6,100)
Halite 15,000
2.03
(4,575)
Coal 1,600
1.17 – 1.80
(490)
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 • Frequency (F)
• Number of wavelets that pass by a given point
in a given time
• Cycles/second – “Hertz”

• Key relationship:

l = V/F
V : Velocity

Simple sinusoid for definition of wavelet terms

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 Seismic Resolution

• Convolutional theorem just described has interesting

implications for vertical resolution

• Each interface produces a distinct reflection.

• If reflections are widely enough spaced, each will be recognizable.

• Once reflections start to get closer, they start to interfere with each
other.

• At some point adjacent reflections could be so close that they

completely cancel each other out.

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 High velocity Shale

Low velocity gas sand

High velocity Shale

Wedge Model

Use wedge model to investigate resolution

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• When bed is thick enough
(red box), reflections from
top and base of sandstone
are separate and
peak/trough distance
provides a reliable indicator
of bed thickness

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• As bed thickness decreases
to ¼ l, peak/trough
distance remains a reliable
indicator of bed thickness,
although reflections from
top and base interfere

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• Below ¼ l peak/trough
distance no longer changes,
i.e. it is no longer an indicator
of bed thickness.

• The ¼ l criterion defines the

resolution of the seismic data

• “Detection limit” variable –

function of signal-to-noise
ratio, physical properties
contrast, etc.

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 l
• Beds less than ¼ are known
as “seismic thin beds”
• Many reservoirs are seismic
thin beds

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• Example 1:
V = 7,000 m/s
F = 50 Hz

l = V/F
= 7,000/50 [(m/s)/(cycles/s)]
= 140 m

• Example 2:
V = 3,000 m/s
F = 50 Hz

l = V/F
= 3,000/50 [(m/s)/(cycles/s)]
= 60 m
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 Dominant frequency:
about 4 ½ cycles in 100 ms
= 45 cycles/second
= 45 Hz
If the velocity is 5000 m/s, what is the tuning thickness? If it is possible to detect a bed down to 1/16
of the wavelength, what would that be?
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Tuning thickness:
Frequency = 45 Hz, Velocity = 5000 m/s
Wavelength = 5000/45
= 111 m
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Tuning thickness = ¼ x 111 = 28 m
Thank U.

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