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Contents 5
4
Prefaces ............................................................................................................................................iii
3
Foreword The Business Impact of 3-D Seismic.......................................................................... xv
by W. K. Aylor, Jr. 7
Chapter 1 Introduction.......................................................................................................................1
The Nature of Seismic Reflection • Philosophy of Seismic Interpretation • History of 3-D Seismic Methods
• Resolution • Examples of 3-D Data Improvement • Survey Design • Volume Concept • Slicing the Data
Volume • Workstations • Dynamic Range and Data Loading • Acquisition Footprint • References

Chapter 2 Color, Character and Zero-Phaseness.........................................................................31

Color Principles • Interpretive Value of Color • Assessment of Phase and Polarity • Psychological Impact
of Color • References

Chapter 3 Structural Interpretation................................................................................................61

Direct Contouring and the Importance of the Strike Perspective • Fault Recognition and Mapping
• Interpretation in the Vicinity of Salt • Composite Displays • Interpretation Procedures • Advantages and
Disadvantages of Different Displays • Subtle Structural Features • Visualization and Autotracking
• References

Chapter 4 Stratigraphic Interpretation........................................................................................103

Recognition of Characteristic Shape • Reconstituting a Depositional Surface • Methods of Making Horizon
Slices • Horizon Slice Examples • Unconformity Horizon Slices • Windowed Amplitude • References

Chapter 5 Reservoir Identification...............................................................................................157

Bright Spots as They Used to Be • The Character of Hydrocarbon Reflections • Examples of Bright
Spots, Flat Spots, Dim Spots and Phase Changes • Polarity and Phase Problems, Multiple Contacts and
Transmission Effects • Use of Frequency, Amplitude Variations with Offset and Shear Waves • Philosophy
of Reflection Identification • Questions an Interpreter Should Ask in an Attempt to Validate the Presence of
Hydrocarbons • The Occurrence of Hydrocarbon Indicators • References

Chapter 6 Tuning Phenomena in Reservoirs.............................................................................203

Effect of Tuning on Stratigraphic Interpretation • Deterministic Tuning Curves • Statistical Tuning
Curves • Understanding the Magnitude of Tuning Effects • Well Tying and Tuning Effects • References

Chapter 7 Reservoir Evaluation....................................................................................................217

Reservoir Properties Deducible from Seismic Data • Horizon Slices over Reservoir Interfaces • Composite
Amplitude • Net Pay Thickness • Pore Volume • Well Calibration • Statistical Use of Tracked Horizon
Data • Fault Slicing • References

Chapter 8 Horizon and Formation Attributes............................................................................247

Classification of Attributes • Time-derived Horizon Attributes • Coherence • Post-stack Amplitude
Attributes • Hybrid Attributes • Frequency-derived Attributes • Volumetric Attributes and Curvature
• Amplitude Variation with Offset • Use of Multiple Attributes

Spectral Decomposition...............................................................................................295
contributed by G. A. Partyka, M. D. Bush, P. G. A. Garossino, and P. R. Gutowski
Principles of Spectral Decomposition • Recommended Workflow • Significance of Spectral Balancing
• Interpretation Recommendations • Resolution Benefits of Spectral Decomposition • Acknowledgments
• References

Chapter 9 Inversion and Interpretation of Impedance Data...................................................309

contributed by R. B. Latimer
Introduction • The Nature of Impedance Data • Quality Control of Seismic-derived Inverted Data • Log
Analysis, Editing, and Rock Properties • Band Limitation and Impedances • Scale Differences • Methods of
Inverting Seismic Data — General Considerations • Inversion Methods — Post-stack • Inversion Methods
— Based on 3-D Stratigraphic Models • Inversion Methods — Pre-stack or Angle-stack • Which Inversion
Method Do I Use? • Quality Control of Input Data • Interpretation of Impedance Data — General
Considerations • Impedance Interpretation When the Relationship Is Unclear • Key Messages
• Acknowledgments • References • Additional Reading
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Chapter 10 Depth Conversion and Depth Imaging....................................................................351

Introduction 5


Depth Conversion.........................................................................................................353
contributed by L. R. Denham and D. K. Agarwal
4
Sources and Computation of Velocity • General Considerations in Depth Conversion • Depth Conversion
Using a Single Velocity Function • Depth Conversion Using Mapped Velocity Function • Depth Conver-
sion Using Layers • Map Migration • Dealing with Conversion Errors • Discussion • References
3
Three-Dimensional Depth Image Interpretation...................................................367 7
contributed by W. L. Abriel, J. P. Stefani, R. D. Shank, and D. C. Bartel
Concept of 3-D Depth Imaging • Why Time Imaging Is Not Depth Imaging • Required Elements of 3-D Depth
Imaging • Three-Dimensional Post-stack Depth vs. 3-D Post-stack Time Imaging • Noise Characteristics of Depth-
Imaged Data • Pre-stack Depth Imaging • Example of Pre-stack vs. Post-stack 3-D Depth Imaging — Model Data
• Example of Pre-stack vs. Post-stack 3-D Depth Imaging — Live Data • Discussion • Acknowledgments

Chapter 11 Regional and Reconnaissance Use of 3-D Data......................................................395

References

Chapter 12 Visualization and Visual Integration........................................................................413

contributed by D. M. Roberts
Introduction • Computer Hardware • The Power of Visualization • Data Inspection • Opacity • Data
Interpretation • Coloring Surfaces by Amplitude • Stratigraphic Interpretation • Coherence Data • Surface
Illumination • Advanced Attribute Visualization • Interpretation Quality Control • Visual Integration
• Concluding Comments • Acknowledgments

Chapter 13 Four-Dimensional Reservoir Monitoring................................................................449

Summary of Principles • Four-Dimensional Survey Results • References

Chapter 14 Case Histories of 3-D Seismic Surveys.....................................................................463

“Field Appraisal with 3-D Seismic Surveys Offshore Trinidad,” by R. M. Galbraith and A. R. Brown.................. 463
“Three-Dimensional Seismic Monitoring of an Enhanced Oil Recovery Process,” by R. J. Greaves
and T. J. Fulp............................................................................................................................................................ 470
“Impact of 3-D Seismic on Structural Interpretation at Prospect Cougar,” by C. J. McCarthy
and P. W. Bilinski..................................................................................................................................................... 484
“Three-Dimensional Seismic Interpretation of an Upper Permian Gas Field in Northwest Germany,”
by H. E. C. Swanenberg and F. X. Fuehrer........................................................................................................... 492
“Seismic Data Interpretation for Reservoir Boundaries, Parameters, and Characterization,” by W. L. Abriel
and R. M. Wright..................................................................................................................................................... 500
“A 3-D Reflection Seismic Survey over the Dollarhide Field, Andrews County, Texas,” by M. T. Reblin,
G. G. Chapel, S. L. Roche, and C. Keller............................................................................................................... 509
“Shallow 3-D Seismic and a 3-D Borehole Profile at Ekofisk Field,” by J. A. Dangerfield......................................... 517
“Extending Field Life in Offshore Gulf of Mexico Using a 3-D Seismic Survey,” by T. P. Bulling and R. S. Olsen 526
“Lisburne Porosity — Thickness Determination and Reservoir Management from 3-D Seismic Data,”
by S. F. Stanulonis and H. V. Tran........................................................................................................................ 537
“Value of Geophysics in the Production of Bay Marchand Field,” by W. L. Abriel and W. Haworth...................... 552

Appendix A Considerations for Optimum 3-D Survey Design,

Acquisition and Processing.........................................................................................589
contributed by R. M. Lansley
General Issues • Marine Data Acquisition • Land Data Acquisition • Data Processing • References

Appendix B Interpretation Exercise.................................................................................................597

Background Information • Structural Component of Exercise • Stratigraphic Component of Exercise
• Procedure • Solution

Appendix C Instructions for Assessing Phase and Polarity .......................................................610

Appendix D Summary of Recommendations to Help Today’s Interpreter .............................615
Index ..........................................................................................................................................616