A breakthrough in 3D seismic interpretation
Abstract
Accompanying the advancement of computer science and technologies, new techniques have been introduced to optimise the seismic interpretation workflow. In this study, we apply the “Global seismic interpretation method”, developed by Pauget et al. [1]. A 3D Relative Geologic Time (RGT) model was obtained directly from the 3D seismic volume which is the outcome of this method. Given the fact that in the 3D RGT model, the geologic time is continuous, a relative geologic age can be interpolated and assigned to every voxel of the seismic volume. The dataset used in this study is the Maui 3D seismic volume from Taranaki basin, offshore New Zealand. A stack of 400 continuous stratigraphic horizons is produced from the Maui RGT model, even for complex areas where classical methods failed to achieve or would take a long time to complete. Integrated with seismic attribute mappings such as RMS amplitude and/or spectral decomposition, the horizon stack enables to navigate the seismic volume in stratigraphic order. Thus, the result enhances the identification of geological elements, stratigraphic insights, and paleo-depositional environments in greater detail for stratigraphic reservoir detection and characterisation. The novel methodology indicates a new way to conduct seismic interpretation, utilises all the information in the 3D seismic data, hence greatly reduces the exploration time cycle.
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