N040 Interpretation of 3D Seismic Data
Course Facts
- Course Code:
- N040
- Duration:
- 4 days
- Type:
- Classroom
- CEU:
- 3.2 Continuing Education Units
- PDH:
- 32 Professional Development Hours
- Certificate:
- Certificate Issued Upon Completion
Summary
This course is designed to give a broad-based knowledge and understanding of the key seismic interpretation techniques relevant to subsurface analysis. The nature of the seismic response will be considered, with reference to both structural evaluation and to methods for stratigraphic analysis. The analysis of fluid types within the pore spaces will also be considered, along with attribute analysis and display techniques.
Duration and Training Method
A four-day classroom course in Europe and the USA. Occasionally runs as a five-day classroom course in some locations. The course comprises of a mixture of lectures, case studies and classroom exercises.
Participants will learn to:
- Evaluate more effectively their seismic datasets and what interpretation is possible.
- Perform the principal seismic interpretational techniques for structural, stratigraphic and reservoir scale evaluation.
- Assess the importance of key seismic data characteristics, such as resolution, phase, wavelet shape, dynamic range and processing artefacts.
- Manage the main facets of structural interpretation, such as correlation, tracking, slicing, composite and volume displays.
- Appraise the forms of stratigraphic interpretation within a 3D seismic dataset and demonstrate the leading techniques for the extraction of stratigraphic information, such as horizon slices.
- Judge the main limitations of seismic display, specifically colour, phase, polarity and resolution and how they may be overcome and harnessed to elucidate further detail in a dataset.
- Assess the multiplicity of hydrocarbon reflection characteristics, enabling more hydrocarbon reserves to be found through seismic interpretation.
- Perform those techniques and understand the limitations that allow the seismic method to be pushed to the reservoir scale.
- Evaluate the range of seismic attributes and establish how to select the correct one for the problem at hand.
- Manage the use of 3D seismic data in the reservoir evaluation process and examine how to determine such reservoir properties as net-to-gross ratio, net pay, porosity and pore volume.
This course is designed to give a broad-based review of the key seismic interpretational techniques relevant to subsurface analysis. The nature of the seismic response will be considered with reference to both structural evaluation, and methods for stratigraphic analysis. The analysis of fluid types will also be considered, along with attribute analysis and display techniques.
Introduction
Vertical seismic resolution, the two resolution limits, the seismic wavelet, importance of amplitude and phase control, dynamic range, horizontal seismic resolution, Fresnel zone, seismic migration, regularity and acquisition footprint.
Structural interpretation
Slicing the cube, time (or depth) slices and their importance, fault handling, contouring exercise, structural case histories, interpretable structural detail, composite and volumetric displays, phase sections, subtle faults and their detection, coherence, autotracking and its precision, time-derived horizon attributes, tracking validation, generalized procedure, interpretation confidence.
Stratigraphic interpretation
Recognition of characteristic shapes, importance of strike view, channels, bars, levees, dunes and carbonate features, resolution limitations, horizon slices and their methods of construction, reconstitution of depositional surfaces, stratigraphic patterns to verify structure, unconformities, turbidite mapping exercise.
Colour and phase
Limitations of conventional display, colour principles, contrasting and double and single gradational schemes, visibility of amplitude detail, scales, recognition of data phase, data polarity, natural pairing and phase circles.
Reservoir identification
Bright spots, dim spots, phase changes, flat spots and their necessary characteristics, impact of colour, amplitude and display scales, use of top and base reflections and spatial relationships. Tuning phenomena in reservoir reflections, importance of zero-phaseness and knowledge of polarity, approach to validation, reservoir limits, occurrence of fluid effects, reservoir identification exercise.
Attributes
Classification, amplitude-derived and frequency-derived horizon attributes, windowed attributes, hybrid attributes, 3D AVO.
Reservoir evaluation
Properties affecting amplitude, interpretation regimes, well calibration, composite amplitude, mapping of porosity, net-to-gross and net pay thickness, tuning estimation and removal, pore volume, case histories.
Who should attend
Graduate-level geophysicists and geologists, as well as more experienced subsurface professionals from other disciplines who require a working knowledge of seismic interpretation techniques.
Prerequisites and linking courses
For those with little knowledge of the seismic method, N080 (Geophysics for Subsurface Professionals) is recommended as a precursor. N085 (Introduction to Seismic Interpretation) covers the fundamentals of seismic interpretation including paper based exercises on 2D data and project management issues and is recommended as a precursor for those with little experience of interpretation methods. Other seismic interpretation courses of benefit to more skilled geoscientists include N255 (An Integrated Approach to 3D Seismic Interpretation) and N074 (Geological Seismic Interpretation Field Seminar: Compressional Systems - Montana, USA). For other Geophysics and Seismic Interpretation courses offered by the Nautilus Training Alliance, please consult the Geophysics and Seismic Interpretation Subject Matter Competency Map on the website.
Click on a name to learn more about the instructor
Alistair Brown
Alistair Brown
Background
Alistair is a Consulting Reservoir Geophysicist working out of Dallas, Texas, but with clients spread over the World. His specialties are interpretation of three-dimensional seismic data for understanding oil and gas reservoirs, stratigraphic interpretation, the meaning of seismic amplitude, optimum use of interactive workstations, use of color, seismic attributes, and seismic reservoir identification and evaluation. He spends much of his time teaching seismic interpretation methods and advising on interpretation problems worldwide.
He has been using 3-D seismic data since 1975 and interactive workstations since 1980. He has developed many new interpretation methods and is a widely-published author in his field. The Sixth Edition of his book Interpretation of Three-Dimensional Seismic Data (AAPG Memoir 42 / SEG Investigations no. 9) was published in 2004 following previous editions in 1999, 1997, 1992, 1989, and 1986.
On October 1, 2006, Alistair was awarded Honorary Membership in the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, a major honor following 40 years distinguished service to the profession. Alistair was the first Joint AAPG/SEG Distinguished Lecturer in 1999-2000. In 1998 Alistair was awarded SEG’s Special Commendation Award for his work in developing and teaching 3-D methods. He is an honorary member of Dallas Geophysical Society and of the Geophysical Society of Houston.
Affiliations and Accreditation
University of Oxford, England
SEG Best Presentation Award (1975)
SEG Distinguished Lecturer (1991)
AAPG/SEG Distinguished Lecturer (1998-89)
Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia Distinguished Lecturer (1994)
Courses Taught
N040: Interpretation of 3D Seismic Data
Rachel Newrick
Rachel Newrick
Background
Since 1992 Rachel has worked for BHP Petroleum in Melbourne, Occidental Petroleum in Houston, Exxon Mobil in Houston, Veritas DGC in Calgary, Nexen Inc in Calgary, Nexen Petroleum UK in London and Cairn Energy in Edinburgh. While at Cairn Energy, Rachel participated in the frontier exploration of West Greenland before taking on the role of Exploration Manager for the Mediterranean and North Africa. On returning to Canada in 2013, to get back to the great outdoors, Rachel started Racian Ventures Ltd and acts as Consultant Geophysicist to international exploration companies.
Rachel is the co-author of the SEG Geophysical Monograph Series #13, Fundamentals of Geophysical Interpretation with Laurence Lines, a contributor to both 52 Things You Should Know About Geophysics and 52 Things You Should Know About Rock Physics, and has presented at a variety of conferences and technical luncheons.
While not working or volunteering in the geoscience community, Rachel is travelling, motorcycling, skiing or enjoying fine wine with her partner Ian. They are based in Alberta, Canada.
Affiliations and Accreditation
PhD University of Calgary, Canada - Exploration Seismology
BSc Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand - Applied Geophysics (Honours)
BSc Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand - Geology
SEG - Member
AAPG - Member
EAGE - Member
APEGA - P. Geoph, P. Geol
CSEG - Member and President (2015 - 2016)
Courses Taught
N040: Interpretation of 3D Seismic Data
N085: Introduction to Seismic Interpretation
N165: Fundamental Concepts of Seismic Techniques
N485: Advanced Seismic Interpretation
Dates for this Course
Related Courses
Related Subjects
“ Greatly improved my knowledge of 3D seismic interpretation techniques and pitfalls.”
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