Introduction

Trapping is one of the petroleum system element, which determines the success ratio in hydrocarbon
exploration activity. It also has a significant impact on volumetric calculation. There are two
geological trap categories: structural trap and strati-graphical trap that apply in this area of study. The
area of the study has been producing a significant amount of gas and condensate. From the well data,
it is observed that the hydrocarbon contact is below the structural spill point, which lead the strati
graphical component is contributing on the volumetric calculation. The purpose of the study is to
better define the stratigraphic component of the carbonate boundary, limit and extend from the
seismic attribute analysis.

Carbonates is the type of rock with a heterogeneous and unpredictable reservoir, with the multiple
stages of diagenesis. Carbonates system type in this area study are platform and reef carbonates of
Kais formation, which starts growing at Miocene time. Kais carbonate is a proven reservoir. Picture
1.2 shows the generalized stratigraphy of the Salawati Basin at Bird Head PSC (picture 1.1). Kais
transgressive carbonates were deposited in various environments, from lagoonal, bank, to deeper
water facies, resulting in various types of carbonate sediments from low-energy; organic-rich
carbonate muds to moderate-high energy reefal carbonates (Satyana, 2003).

Carbonate feature is distinct from seismic, it has a high amplitude respond in seismic. However to
differentiate between the reefal carbonate and platform carbonate are very challenging. Reefal
carbonate in this area has a chaotic respond in seismic due to the high absorption of seismic energy
and the appearances of gas. It makes the velocity lower than surrounding rock, and showing dimming
effect as a pull down velocity anomaly. Otherwise, platform carbonate has a higher amplitude respond
than reefal carbonate in seismic, due to the rigidity of the lithology. Seismic attribute will help to
define the extent of the reefal boundary.

Bird Head of Papua – Salawati Basin

Zone of
Study

Picture 1.1
Location map of Area Study

Picture 1.2 Generalize Stratigraphy of Salawati Basin

EAGE-HAGI 1st Asia Pacific meeting on Near Surface Geoscience & Engineering
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Interpretation and Analysis

Structural interpretation on the reefal carbonate is very challenging when it comes to determine
hydrocarbon contact and ultimately define the trap definition. This leads to higher uncertainty on
the GRV. The Hydrocarbon-Water Contact (HWC) which initially defined by well analysis (e.g.
petrophysical analysis) did not provide a well-defined closure; the lowest contour spilled at the
southeastern part (see white-colored line in Figure 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6). Subsequently, an
addition of interpretation was introduced to define the trapping definition. The interpretation is
characterizing the reefal carbonate and platform carbonate architectural elements.

Many seismic attribute list for distributing lateral discontinuity (strati-graphical defining), for the
examples are sweetness, relative acoustic impedance, chaos etc. and the derivative of amplitude itself.
RMS attribute at top Kais Fm show the lower value of rms amplitude (purple colour) than the
surrounding, which interpreted as reefal body (picture 1.3). Purple colour also show the fault zone and
the limit of seismic data that having chaotic response. Second attribute is the sweetness attribute
shows in picture 1.4. Sweetness attribute are combining two attributes; envelope and instantaneous
frequency. This attribute is used to identify the overall energy signatures change in seismic data. In
reefal body, the energy is lower (purple colour) than surrounding, beside on the fault zone and the
limit of the seismic data also shows the lower energy. High energy of sweetness usually having a high
amplitude and high impedance response.

Isochrones map of Kais until Pre Kais Zone is also used as guidance to define the carbonate reefal
boundary interpretation (picture 1.5). The reefal show with the thickest value (yellow to red colour).
Quantitative attribute such as acoustic impedance inversion is also applied to this study. The lower
impedance value is interpreted as the reefal carbonate, and the high impedance value is interpreted as
platform carbonate. Reefal carbonate tend to have lower AI response, also in fault zone and the limits
of seismic data.

HWC-8510 ft
HWC-8510 ft

Area of Interest
Area of Interest

Picture 1.3 RMS Amplitude

Picture 1.4 Sweetness

EAGE-HAGI 1st Asia Pacific meeting on Near Surface Geoscience & Engineering
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 hi

HWC-8510 ft

Area of Interest
lo
Area of Interest

Picture 1.5 Isochrones map Picture 1.6 Acoustic Impedance

Result and conclusion

Seismic attribute such as RMS attribute, sweetness, isochrones and acoustic impedance are very
useful on defining the reefal carbonate boundary. The polygon boundary of reefal element is inferred
by investigating all attributes and scenarios of closure outline can be drawn. These scenarios are
prepared as cases to measure the uncertainty of the GRV.

References

Satyana, A.H [2003] Re-Evaluation of the Sedimentology and Evolution of the Kais Carbonate
Platform, Salawati Basin, Eastern Indonesia: Exploration Significance. Proceeding of Indonesia
Petroleum Association (IPA), 29th Annual Convention October 2003, IPA03-G-022

Subrahmanyam D., P.H. Rao. [2008] Seismic Attributes- A Review. Seventh International conference
& Exposition on Petroleum Geophysics. P-398

Skirius Christine et.all [1999] 3D Seismic Attributes Applied to Carbonates. The Leading Edge. P.
384-393

Caf B. Abidin and John D. Pigott [2017] Seismic Stratigraphy and Quantitative Interpretation of
Leonardian Reefal Carbonates, Eastern Shelf of the Midland basin: Insight Into Sea Level Effects,
Geomorphology and Associated Reservoir Quality. Search and Discover Article #10909

Slatt, Roger. Stratigraphyc Reservoir Characterization for petroleum Geologist, Geophysicists and
Engineers. Handbook of Petroleum Exploration and Production. Volume 6

EAGE-HAGI 1st Asia Pacific meeting on Near Surface Geoscience & Engineering
11-12 April 2018, Yogyakarta, Indonesia