Exercise 23: Seismic Facies Analysis IRIS

Exercise 23: Seismic Facies Analysis

Objective In this exercise, you will use the ABC methodology to predict the
depositional environments and lithologies within a specific seismic
sequence using a sparse set of 2D seismic lines. Then, you will pick
a well location.

Materials  One (1) seismic line (Line 10) with one depositional sequence
highlighted

 A basemap with ABC codes posted

 A basemap with ABC codes and TWT contours

 Colored pencils and erasers

Introduction You will be looking at an offshore area. The available seismic is only a
sparse grid of 2D seismic lines. You will only look at one line, but
you will be given the ABC codes for six (6) few dip lines.

You will determine ABC codes for seismic line 10 with the instructor
(on the screen). To focus on our topic for lesson 23, the ABC
codes have been posted on the base map for the other lines in
Figures 2 and 3. Your main task is to synthesize the observations
and then predict the environments of deposition. Then, you will
consider possible drilling locations.

Step Action
1 Follow along as the instructor works with you on coding line
10 (Figure 1). You can watch and participate. You do not
have to keep track of the ABC codes or what their extents
are on the basemap. A copy of line 10 is provided as Figure
1 should you want to mark it yourself.

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Exercise 23: Seismic Facies Analysis IRIS

Exercise 23: Seismic Facies Analysis continued

Step Action
2 Figure 2 shows the basemap with all the ABC codes already
posted for you. Note the codes for line 10 should be close to
what the instructor proposed on the screen during the
exercise introduction.

The mapped sequence is areally restricted to the northwest.

Use a pencil to trace the updip limit of the sequence, as
interpreted on the seismic data, on Figure 2.

3 Look at Figure 2 for common ABC units (same or very similar

codes). Use one or more pencils to synthesize the geometric
patterns recorded by the ABC codes, i.e., draw lines that
bound common ABC units.

4 The seismic reflection geometries (Figure 1) suggest that our

sequence of interest was a deltaic sequence. In light of this,
interpret the depositional environment for each seismic
facies unit (e.g., delta plain, delta front, prodelta, etc.).

You can use colors to enhance your EOD map. If you want
to do this, focus on speed rather than a pretty picture. Quick
shading is more than adequate. Making pretty maps is
important for reviews to management, but it is NOT a
learning objective for this course.

5 Figure 3 has the ABC codes and time structure contours for
the top of our potential reservoir sequence of interest. If your
company had a one well commitment in this area, where
would you propose drilling?

To answer this question, you can mentally merge your

interpreted EODs on Figure 2 with the time contours on
Figure 3, OR you can transfer your EOD interpretation from
Figure 2 to Figure 3. In either case, based on your EOD
interpretation, where is the best chance to have reservoir-
prone rocks positioned on a structural high?

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Exercise 23: Seismic Facies Analysis continued

Questions a. Do you understand the concept and mechanics of ABC

mapping?

b. Do you see how we first predict major depositional environments

and then infer lithologies (e.g., where we anticipate sands)?

c. What other information/data would be helpful in interpreting

EODs and lithologic distributions?

NOTE: It is important for the interpreter to have a series of depositional models

in mind when viewing and interpreting stratigraphy on seismic data.
Those doing this for a living avail themselves of depositional models
based on modern analogs, outcrop studies, and other subsurface
predictions that have been tested by drilling.