Seismic attribute expression of fluvial-deltaic and turbidite systems

Abstract

Much of the world's conventional oil and gas production comes from uvial deltaic and turbidite reservoirs. The ability to accurately interpret the architectural elements comprising these systems greatly reduces the risk in exploration and development in these environments. In addition to clastic environments, turbidites can also occur in carbonate environments, and formations of this type pose signi cant unanswered questions.

In this dissertation, I demonstrate methods for using attributes to improve the interpretation in fluvial deltaic using data from Middle Pennsylvanian age Red Fork Formation of Oklahoma and the Oligecene-Miocene age Frio Formation of south Texas. I show how spectral phase and magnitude attributes can be effectively combined using an HSV color map to produce images that have considerable interpretational value. I develop an interactive method using the skill of the interpreter to blend attributes dynamically. I also apply a statistical technique to integrate multiple attributes in a non-linear manner. Incorporating my methods in the interpretation process has the potential to improve the exploration and development in these systems.

I also look at the problem of mapping channel-forms the hybrid carbonate turbidite Oliogence age Mandu Formation in the Carnarvon Basin of Australia. I show how attributes tie to the geological features of the architectural elements. I demonstrate the capability to extract in 3-D the associated channel-forms. Further analysis using these methods has the potential to increase our understanding of how turbidites form in carbonate environments.