N240 Using Seismic Data from Acreage Capture to Early Field Development
Course Facts
- Course Code:
- N240
- Duration:
- 4 days
- Type:
- Classroom
- CEU:
- 3.2 Continuing Education Units
- PDH:
- 32 Professional Development Hours
- Certificate:
- Certificate Issued Upon Completion
Summary
In this workshop styled course, seismic interpreters take an actual field from acreage acquisition, through locating a discovery well, and into field development. Through hands-on exercises, participants learn about bidding on blocks, locating a wildcat well, tying a well to seismic data, mapping reservoir structure and quality from 2D and 3D seismic data, estimating recoverable reserves and selecting the location for a production platform.
Duration and Training Method
This is a 4-day learn-by-doing workshop with 60% of the time spent interpreting paper seismic data and constructing maps. Training is conducted by emphasizing hands-on activities with practical interpretation exercises. Lectures introduce each topic and prepare the attendees to work realistic exercises. Each exercise is designed to reinforce the learning objectives. Questions and discussions are encouraged throughout the workshop. Attendees work individually and in teams and have opportunities to review their work.
Participants will learn to:
- Tie well data to seismic sections.
- Interpret horizons and faults on 2D and 3D seismic data (paper).
- Conduct a regional evaluation to identify high-potential blocks.
- Generate time structure and isochron maps.
- Design and cost a 3D seismic survey.
- Use seismic attributes to understand reservoir facies.
- Build a reservoir quality map.
- Map the extent of a field using a DHI.
- Estimate in-place reserves.
- Plan a platform for initial field development.
Seismic data will be worked at four different scales:
- Regional scale for block evaluation/bidding
- 2D data at a block scale to locate an exploration well
- 3D data at a prospect scale to plan development wells
- 3D data at a field scale to determine reservoir architecture
Day 1
- Regional geology of the study area
- Basics of the seismic method
- Generate a time-structure map (2D seismic) for acreage evaluation
- Bid on available blocks
- Locate a wildcat well on a newly-acquired block
Day 2
- Tie the wildcat well to the seismic data
- Design and cost a 3D seismic survey
- Basics of 2D and 3D seismic interpretation
- Map a major fault using 3D seismic data
- Map the top and base of the reservoir using 3D seismic data
- Generate a detailed time structure map for the top of the reservoir
Day 3
- Generate a reservoir isochron map
- Use seismic attributes to predict depositional environments
- Develop a reservoir quality map
- Use a DHI to map the extent of the field
- Estimate recoverable reserves
Day 4
- Select development well locations
- Tie production wells to the seismic data
- Interpret horizons at a production scale
- Plan and position a platform
- Present the development plan (by teams)
Who should attend
Early career seismic interpreters, geoscientists, or engineers who have a basic understanding of the seismic method and also need to build their basic seismic interpretation skills will benefit from this course. Students taking this course should have completed an introductory course in reflection seismic technology or have at least one year of equivalent work experience. Working through the class dataset, attendees will gain practical interpretation and prospect evaluation skills that can immediately be applied to opportunity identification, exploration and early field development tasks at their respective companies.
Prerequisites and linking courses
The prerequisite for this course is a basic understanding of reflection seismology, such as can be obtained in N085 (Introduction to Seismic Interpretation), or N080 (Geophysics for Subsurface Professionals). Suitable follow-up courses include N007 (Seismic and Sequence Stratigraphy for Play Prediction and Basin Analysis), N067 (Stratigraphic Traps Identification Workshop: Sequence Stratigraphy Concepts and Trap Styles in Clastic Systems), and N040 (Interpretation of 3D Seismic Data).
Click on a name to learn more about the instructor
Fred Schroeder
Fred Schroeder
Background
Fred started his petroleum industry career in 1977 when he joined Exxon Production Research (EPR, now URC) in Houston Texas. He began as a seismic stratigrapher, being mentored by Pete Vail and Bob Mitchum. Fred worked for Exxon and then ExxonMobil for 32 years, primarily in their research organization.
While at Exxon/ExxonMobil, Dr. Schroeder’s efforts focused on three main items: R&D of new methods, tools and techniques related to seismic analysis, applying cutting-edge technology in exploration offices, and teaching/mentoring. Fred has received several awards for teaching excellence. His areas of expertise include seismic stratigraphic, basin modeling, seismic facies, seismic attributes, DHI/AVO, and visualization.
Dr. Schroeder has also been awarded by AAPG’s Visiting Geoscience Program (VGP) for his teaching efforts. He has presented short courses on over 60 campuses, teaching 1100+ students and 150+ faculty members. Recently he has started teaching at Texas A&M University.
Affiliations and Accreditation
PhD Columbia University - Marine Geology, the highest degree was awarded in 1977
MPhil Columbia University - Marine Geology, the highest degree was awarded in 1977
BS Lehigh University - Engineering Physics
AAPG-VGP Committee
Courses Taught
N240: Seismic Interpretation Workshop: From Opportunity Capture through Early Field Development
N085: Introduction to Seismic Interpretation
Dates for this Course
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