Oil and Gas

Oil and Gas | Geophysics and Seismic Interpretation

Seismic Attributes for Exploration and Reservoir Characterisation

Course Code: N049
Instructors:  John Castagna
Course Outline:  Download
Format and Duration:
5 days
10 sessions

Summary

Lecture and exercise materials cover interpretation workflows using attributes currently available on most modern workstations as well as recently developed seismic applications designed to extract the smaller scale geologic details required for the construction of reservoir models.

Business Impact: Students will gain the skills required to select and apply a broad range of seismic attributes including combined attributes in exploration and reservoir characterization projects.

Feedback

"Great tutor and great opportunity to learn."

Duration and Training Method

This is a classroom or virtual classroom course comprising a mixture of lectures, data examples, case studies, and practical exercises.

Course Overview

Participants will learn to:

  1. Review seismic wave fundamentals including the convolutional model, tuning, phase and understand the importance of maximizing seismic bandwidth.
  2. Assess the role of post stack attribute tools commonly found in most workstation software in seismic interpretation workflows. Examples include the use of max/min amplitude, instantaneous frequency/phase, curvature, coherency and dip/azimuth attributes as structural or stratigraphic indicators.
  3. Evaluate the role of AVO (amplitude vs. reflection angle) measurements to address specific interpretation problems including fluid prediction and the estimation of elastic rock properties.
  4. Investigate the use of spectral enhancement attributes such as Sparse Layer Inversion in interpretation workflows.
  5. Appraise the use of geo-statistical tools, spectral decomposition, and multi-attribute analysis in reservoir characterization.
  6. Recognize the limitations of AVO tools, post stack inversion, and other seismic attributes.
  7. Develop fit-for-purpose interpretation workflows for several exploration and production problems in the classroom.

Part 01 Introduction

Part 02 Review of seismic imaging fundamentals

  • Rock physics
  • Seismic wave propagation
  • The convolutional model & reflectivity
  • Factors affecting seismic resolution
  • Benefits of 3-D imaging

Part 03 Overview of commonly used seismic attributes

  • Amplitude attributes
  • Complex trace attributes
  • Spatial attributes
  • Post stack seismic inversion
  • Spectral decomposition
  • Isochron & residual maps

Part 04 Visualization tools

Elastic response attributes

  • AVO
  • Lambda-mu-rho
  • Elastic impedance
  • Direct hydrocarbon indicators

Part 05 Spectral enhancement/extension

Reservoir characterization

  • Cross plot analysis
  • Multi-attribute analysis
  • Neural networks
  • Geostatistical analysis
  • Validation and significance testing

Part 06 Interpretation workflow presentations by class

Part 07 Exercises

This course integrates practical exercises to complement theoretical learning. You will:

  • Analyze seismic attributes to understand their impact on data information content.
  • Evaluate correlation coefficients to predict reservoir porosity.
  • Answer true or false questions on various seismic concepts, such as seismic response, frequency response, and seismic resolution.
  • Identify inadequacies in the convolutional model for seismic wave propagation.
  • Describe characteristics of wavelets and their applications.
  • Perform synthetic seismogram exercises, identifying potential pitfalls in each step.
  • Identify errors in synthetic seismogram figures.
  • Understand deconvolution techniques and their limitations.
  • Discuss factors affecting seismic amplitudes.
  • Critique definitions of seismic concepts like the Fresnel zone.
  • Interpret seismic signatures and their corresponding impedance profiles.
  • Delineate channels using seismic data.
  • Answer tuning-related questions to understand seismic resolution limits.
  • Explore the benefits of 3D seismic data in geological and engineering contexts.
  • Identify hydrocarbon indicators from seismic data.
  • Analyze curvature in geological structures.
  • Discuss deep water depositional environments and relevant seismic attributes.
  • Combine amplitude and coherence for lithology interpretation.
  • Identify and interpret direct hydrocarbon indicators (DHIs).
  • Compare inverted and original seismic data to explain horizon picks.
  • Apply Bayes’ Theorem to assess the probability of productive zones.
  • Upscale rock properties for reservoir characterization.
  • Conduct 1-D experiments related to synthetic inversion and frequency analysis.

These exercises will provide hands-on experience and deepen your understanding of seismic attributes and their applications in exploration and reservoir characterization.

This course has been designed for geoscientists possessing; 1) a basic understanding of the fundamentals of seismic technology including data processing, 2) having a minimum of three years experience interpreting 3D seismic data, and 3) who are interested in learning more about the application of seismic attributes to achieve exploration, reservoir characterization and production objectives.

 

John Castagna

Background
Dr. John P. Castagna, a research geophysicist with extensive industry experience in petroleum exploration and development, came to the University of Houston in 2003. Previously, he was a professor for eight years at the University of Oklahoma. Prior to that, he spent 16 years working for Atlantic-Richfield Corporation in a variety of research, operations, and management positions.

In 1995 he served as Distinguished Lecturer for The Society of Exploration Geophysicists. He has served the SEG in various other capacities including: Chairman of The Leading Edge editorial board, Vice-President, Technical Program Chairman, and from whom he received the Reginald Fessenden Award for Technical Achievement. His book, Offset-Dependent- Reflectivity: Theory and Practice of AVO Analysis, is an SEG bestseller.

Affiliations and Accreditation
PhD University of Texas, Austin - Exploration Geophysics
MSc Brooklyn College - High Temperature Geochemistry
BSc Brooklyn College - Geology
SEG (Society of Exploration Geophysicists)

Courses Taught
N049: Seismic Attributes for Exploration and Reservoir Characterization

CEU: 3.5 Continuing Education Units
PDH: 35 Professional Development Hours
Certificate: Certificate Issued Upon Completion
RPS is accredited by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and is authorized to issue the IACET CEU. We comply with the ANSI/IACET Standard, which is recognised internationally as a standard of excellence in instructional practices.
We issue a Certificate of Attendance which verifies the number of training hours attended. Our courses are generally accepted by most professional licensing boards/associations towards continuing education credits. Please check with your licensing board to determine if the courses and certificate of attendance meet their specific criteria.