The Versatility of Integrating 3D Seismic Transformations and

Well Log Data for Carbonate Complex Reservoir Modelling:

Case Study from Central Luconia Province, Sarawak.
Sy M Awalnur Sy Mohamed1, Fazrul B Ahmad Zawawi1, Muhammad Ferdaos Bin
Mostapa1, Alexander Tarang Patrick 1,
1
PETRONAS Carigali Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
March 2017

Introduction
This study focuses on the application of 3D static model using transforming 3-D seismic data and well
log data for proper optimization and development of hydrocarbon potential in Carbonate pinnacle reef
in The Central Luconia Province, offshore Sarawak. 3D Seismic data were used to generate the input
interpreted horizon grids and fault polygons.
The Central Luconia Province, offshore Sarawak, is one of the world’s largest reefal carbonate
depositional complexes, with over 200 known build-ups of Oligocene and Miocene age ( Cycle II and
Cycle IV), created by coral reefs growing on horst block structures.
Gross Rock Volume (GRV) is often observed to be a first-order sensitivity in resource estimation.
However, time surface interpretation is always a challenge to the seismic interpreter, where uncertainty
may remain on talus and internal layer of carbonate build-up.
In addition, porosity is a significantly difficult property to predict in subsurface reservoir
characterization. The high uncertainty in porosity estimation is mainly due to diagenesis, which alters
the pore structure, texture and composition of the rock, affecting pore size and shape. In this paper, we
will discuss a case study where integrated between seismic transformation with the geological
understanding of the carbonate has been applied to guide the soft trend for rock type distribution to
reduce the uncertainty in reservoir characterization distribution Furthermore to estimate the in-place
Hydrocarbon (HC) volumes.

3D Static Geological Modelling for Carbonate pinnacle reef build up by integrated seismic
transforms data.
3D Static Geological modelling involves the construction of a computer model of a petroleum reservoir,
for the purposes of improving estimation of reserves and making decisions regarding the development
of the field, predicting future production, placing additional wells, and evaluating alternative reservoir
management scenarios.
This study focuses on the application of 3D static model using 3-D seismic transforms data and well
log data for proper optimization and development of hydrocarbon potential in carbonate pinnacle reef
in Central Luconia. 3D Seismic data were used to generate the input interpreted horizon grids and fault
polygons as well as seismic AI. The horizon which cut across the three wells was used for the analysis
and detailed petrophysical analysis was carried out. Structural and property modelling (net to gross,
porosity, permeability, water saturation and facies) were distributed stochastically within the
constructed 3D grid using Truncated Gaussian Simulation and Sequential Indicator Simulation
algorithms. General workflow for static modelling was applied to capture the reservoir uncertainty.

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 Figure 4: Seismic Inversion workflow of carbonate reservoir.
Input Data
In this case study, three wells data were optimized to build this 3D static modelling .All well logs
consists of Gamma Ray (GR), Resistivity, Density (RHOB) and Neutron logs. Well markers are defined
based on seismic and well logs characters. Six markers are picked namely Top Carbonate, Intra I, Intra
II, Intra III, Intra IV and Base Carbonate.

Transforming Input data: Seismic Data

The seismic data in this study is referring to the depth conversion Acoustic Impedance (AI) that derived
from the transformation from seismic PSDM. Recent seismic has produced better subsurface images
that feature a more effective interpretation of the subsurface geology. For instance, the boundary
between Cycle II carbonates was hardly interpretable using legacy seismic, but it has however become
better identified using broadband seismic. Most of all, top and base of Cycle II carbonate (i.e. the main
reservoir) and its internal layers can now be interpreted more accurately (Figure 1). This reduces the
uncertainties in seismic interpretation and has a direct impact on volumetric (Yusoff A.I et al, 2015).

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 Figure 1: Transformation from seismic to porosity volume

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 Figure 2: Seismic data comparison

In this case study from Central Luconia Province, from legacy seismic data, internal layers in the
carbonate body could not be interpreted due to the poor subsurface image. However, by using the recent
broadband seismic data combined with a seismic inversion technique, internal layers can be resolved
within the carbonate interval (Figure 3). Furthermore, seismic inversion results have been able to
delineate significant variations in porosity and highlight the cyclical patterns within the carbonate
interval (Muhammad Ferdaos B Mostapa et al, 2016).

Figure 3: Seismic Inversion workflow of carbonate reservoir.

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Structural Modeling
Structural model for this study were started with the definition of skeleton grids.This involves
determining the shape, size and orientation of the Area of interest (AOI). In this study the AOI is chosen
based on the areal extent of the structure. The model axes (J- and I direction) in the skeleton grid needed
to be aligned along the dip and strike direction of buildup to ensure relatively consistent square 3D
grids.
Fault modelling is done and this fault are consider non sealing fault .Total there are 9 faults are include
in the structural modelling.

Facies/Rock Type Modeling

Facies model for this study has been built based on 3 different facies/rock type as derived from poroity
log cut off from Petrophycist analysis;

 Facies/ rock type 1 = Less than 10% porosity

 Facies/ rock type 2 = between 10% to 23% porosity
 Facies/ rock type 3 = more than 30% porosity

Seismic AI porosity was used to generate a soft trend for facies/rock type distribution. The seimic AI
trend were derived from seismic resampling AI normalized and the value has been resolute then assign
to facies/rock type to generate a trend.

 Rock Type 1 = more than 0.37( AI Normalize)

 Rock Type 2= between 0.31 ( AI Normalize) and 0.36 ( AI Normalize)
 Rock Type 3= less than/equivalent 0.3 ( AI Normalize)

Figure 4: Facies Modeling /Rock type was captured the seismic AI trend workflow of carbonate
reservoir.
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Porosity Modeling
The porosity model was based on the porosity logs generated from petrophysical interpretation of three
exploration well. The logs were upscaled to the layering scheme using the facies as a controlling bias
that ensured that the porosity was appropriate for the facies property of the cell. The porosity was
distributed in the model using “Sequential Gaussian Simulation” (SGS) that was conditioned to the
facies model and to the wells as well as seismic AI as secondary variable.

Permeability Model
Permeability modelling was generated based on poro–perm relationship transformed. Core porosity and
permeability from exploration well were plotted around the base line of surrounding Central Luconia
Carbonate poro-perm.

Water saturation
The saturation model was done using Pseudo-Saturation Height Function derived from SW logs. The
pseudo saturation function used to model the water saturation as follows:

Where:
a: constant from J and Swt equation
Pc: h* ( gw-gg)
H: height above FWL (ft)
b: measured at lab or from conversion parameters table in reservoir condition ( dynes /cm)
ϴ: Porosity from well log evaluation fraction bulk volume.
Calculator was used to produce the water saturation model from each different cases of porosity and
permeability model.

Conclusion
The study case shows the versatility of integrating 3D seismic transformations and well log data for
reservoir modelling.
Accurate prediction of reservoir quality is, and will continue to be, a key challenge for hydrocarbon
exploration and development. Seismic inversion, well log and geological understanding can be a
valuable tool for reservoir characterization prior to field development with improved results of reservoir
characterization. The static reservoir model has significantly benefited from the understanding of the
distribution of porosity in the reservoir zones generated by the seismic inversion study, which can be a
key success factor for future field development and well target optimization

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Acknowledgement

We would like to thank PETRONAS Managements for giving permission to present this work.

References
Muhammad Ferdaos Bin Mostapa, Alexander Tarang Patrick, Sy M Awalnur Sy Mohamed. 2016. Transforming
Seismic Uncertainties to Reservoir Parameters: An Integrated Approach to Characterizing A Carbonate Reef
Complex. Third EAGE Integrated Reservoir Modelling Conference.
Ahmad Izzuddin Yusof, Marie LeFranc, Nurul Amira Zulkurnain, Zhu Jidong, Mohd Zamri Abd Wahab. 2015.
New Reprocessed Seismic Improves Karst Conduit Modelling in Carbonate Buildups. EAGE Seismic Driven
Reservoir Characterization and Production Management Symposium.2015.
Von Hartmann, Hartwig; Buness, Hermann; Krawczyk, Charlotte M.; Schulz, Rüdiger.2012. 3-D seismic
analysis of a carbonate platform in the Molasse Basin - reef distribution and internal separation with seismic
attributes Tectonophysics, 572, 16

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