D004 The Essentials of Rock Physics and Seismic Amplitude Interpretation (Distance Learning)
Event Facts
- Date:
-
- 22 Feb. 2021
- 23 Feb. 2021
- 24 Feb. 2021
- 25 Feb. 2021
- 1 Mar. 2021
- 2 Mar. 2021
- 3 Mar. 2021
- 4 Mar. 2021
- Times:
- Courses consist of a series of 2-3 hour webinar sessions starting at 14:00 London and 08:00 Houston time. Any variation to this will be communicated in the courses joining instructions
- Event Code:
- D004a21VC
- Sessions:
- 8 sessions
- Instructors:
- Rob Simm
- Location:
- Virtual
- Booking Status:
- Good Availability
- Fee:
- GBP £2,860 (Exclusive of tax)
Course Facts
- Course Code:
- D004
- Duration:
- 4 days
- Type:
- Virtual Classroom
- CEU:
- 3.2 Continuing Education Units
- PDH:
- 32 Professional Development Hours
- Certificate:
- Certificate Issued Upon Completion
Summary
Business Impact: Rock physics has numerous applications for adding reserves and growing production within the business cycle; from recognition of diagnostic seismic signatures in prospect identification to reservoir characterisation and volumetric uncertainty estimation in field evaluation as well as enhanced oil recovery through time lapse techniques in field development. Moreover, a cross discipline understanding of rock physics is central to the effective integration of geology, petrophysics, geophysics, engineering.
This course presents the physical basis for quantitative seismic interpretation within the context of hydrocarbon exploration and production. Key technologies are explained in a straightforward manner; with topics including rock physics analysis of log data, well ties, 1D and 2D seismic modelling, amplitude and AVO analysis, seismic inversion to rock properties and the use of seismic amplitude information in prospect risking. Practical exercises utilise Excel based applets to aid understanding and the lessons learnt are of general application.
Duration and Training Method
A virtual classroom course divided into 8 three-hour long webinar sessions over a two-week period (equivalent to a four-day classroom) comprising a mixture of lectures, discussions, case studies, and worked examples to be completed by participants during and between webinar sessions.
Participants will learn:
- How to make a basic AVO model and use it to determine expectations in seismic interpretation.
- To understand the different types of AVO scenarios.
- To understand wavelet characteristics (amplitude and phase).
- To understand the thickness prediction problem (for isolated layer scenarios) and the basis for simple net measures.
- How to tie a well using the well seismic matching and adaptive techniques (RokDoc).
- To appreciate how well ties provide valuable information on scaling the model to the seismic.
- To understand the inputs to Gassmann’s equation.
- To appreciate the various conditioning aspects of logs.
- How to perform fluid substitution on logs using Gassmann’s equation.
- Appreciate the use of 2D modelling as an aid to understanding seismic signatures.
- Appreciate the role of different types of rock physics models and the issues in practical application.
- Understand different approaches to AVO analysis and how AVO projections work.
- Appreciate data quality issues in AVO.
- Understand AVO in terms of impedance and reflectivity, and how this relates to angle independent rock properties.
- Understand bandlimited impedance and how it can be used.
- Understand different approaches to seismic inversion and the role of the ‘prior’.
- Appreciate the role of the gradient in the determination of Vp/Vs from seismic inversion.
- Appreciate the various factors in simultaneous inversion introduce errors and bias.
- Appreciate the need for stochastic solutions owing to non-uniqueness.
- Appreciate the role of amplitude observations in prospect risking.
Course content comprises lectures and case study presentations that review the basics of how seismic relates to rock properties and PC-based practicals utilizing real data. Through the use of standard Microsoft Excel spreadsheets the basics of rock physics interpretation of seismic data are understood. By the end of the course, attendees will not only be able to create first order reflectivity models and understand the basics behind the buzzwords (AVO, EI etc), but also be able to ask pertinent questions that relate to the use of seismic data in prospect risking.
Lecture review topics include:
- Basic rock properties and reflectivity
- The mechanics of seismic data processing (Geometry, Stacking and Migration)
- An introduction to key processing issues
- Seismic bandwidth and the convolutional model
- Wavelets – shape, phase and polarity
- Resolution and non-uniqueness
- Fit and accuracy in seismic well ties
- Rock physics - where to get the numbers for modelling
- 1D and 2D seismic modelling
- AVO Analysis in reflectivity and impedance domains
- Seismic inversion to impedance, facies and rock properties
- Seismic amplitudes and the risking problem
Practical exercises include:
- AVO scenario modelling
- Net thickness prediction in thin beds
- Fluid substitution on logs and AVO modelling
- Modelling porosity change
- Appreciating the amplitude scaling problem
- Understanding AVO projections and AVO Interpretation
- Low frequency and AVO gradient issues in Inversion
- Risking case study
Who should attend
The course is designed to be an introduction to practical rock physics application in seismic interpretation and would be of interest to all working Geoscientists including Geologists, Geophysicists, Petrophysicists, as well as Reservoir Engineers. For experienced Geophysicists who are regularly involved in seismic modelling the course can be used as a refresher.
Prerequisites and linking courses
N004, along with N049 (Seismic Attributes for Exploration and Reservoir Characterisation) and N385 (Workflows for Seismic Reservoir Characterisation), is a cornerstone of the Reservoir Characterisation set of courses within the Geophysical Competency suite. It is suitable for non-geophysicists but requires a basic understanding of the seismic method such as that provided by N085 (Introduction to Seismic Interpretation) or N080 (Geophysics for Subsurface Professionals).
Rob Simm
Background
Rob is a seismic interpreter who specializes in applying rock physics in oil and gas exploration and production. He has worked in oil and gas exploration and development since1985, spending his early career with operating oil companies (notably Britoil, Tricentrol and Enterprise Oil). In 1999, he established his own consultancy company, Rock Physics Associates Ltd, to provide project and training services. From 2010 to 2019, Rob worked for small North Sea oil companies and latterly was Chief Geophysicist at DNO Norge AS. In 2014 Rob (with co-author Mike Bacon) published the textbook ‘Seismic Amplitude: An Interpreter’s Handbook’ (Cambridge University Press).
Affiliations and Accreditation
PhD University of London
SEG - Member
PESGB - Member
The Geological Society of London - Fellow Member and Chartered Geologist
Courses Taught
N004:The Essentials of Rock Physics for Seismic Amplitude Interpretation
N032:Professional Level Rock Physics for Seismic Amplitude Interpretation (AVO & Seismic Inversion)
Alternative Dates for this Course
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