Seismic Imaging Methods and Applications for Oil and Gas Exploration

By Yasir Bashir, Deva Prasad Ghosh, Amir Abbas Babasafari and 7 more

Seismic Imaging Methods and Application for Oil and Gas Exploration connects the legacy of field data processing and imaging with new research methods using diffractions and anisotropy in the field of geophysics. Topics covered include seismic data acquisition, seismic data processing, seismic wave modeling, high-resolution imaging, and anisotropic modeling and imaging. This book is a necessary resource for geophysicist working in the oil and gas and mineral exploration industries, as well as for students and academics in exploration geophysics.

• Provides detailed methods that are used in the industry, including advice on which methods to use in specific situations
• Compares classical methods with the latest technologies to improve practice and application in the real world
• Includes case studies for further explanation of methods described in the book

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Release date: Mar 16, 2022
• ISBN: 9780323918879

Yasir Bashir

Yasir Bashir is an assistant professor at School of Physics, Geophysics Section in Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang. He earned his PhD in Petroleum Geosciences from Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, and master’s in computer science as well as in Geophysics from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan. He worked as Research Scientist in Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Malaysia for 5 years and with OGDCL, Pakistan as Geophysicist. Technical background includes in aspects of developing algorithms including Machine learning for Seismic data processing, Imaging and developing workflow for seismic inversion and prospect evaluation together with hands-on practice. Participated as a team member and leader in several research projects from PETRONAS, Hitachi, UTP, and OGDCL such as Seismic anisotropy imaging, Seismic computing research, Pre-image processing & Diffraction Imaging, PSTM, PSDM, and QI. Research outcomes have recognized and presented in international conferences (SEG, EAGE, OTC, IPTC, and APGCE) and Journals publications. Problem solver with strengths in workflow development and quality control. Effective leadership skills in mixed-gender and multi-ethnic groups. Strong academic background with PETRONAS Institute of Technology, Malaysia. He is a member of SEG, EAGE, PGN, GSM, and PAPG.

Book preview

Preface

Yasir Bashir

Dr. Yasir Bashir

Chief Editor

All praises for almighty Allah, the most beneficial, compassionate, and the creator of the universe who blessed me with the knowledge and enabled me to complete this book, without the blessing of whom, I could not have been able to complete all work and to be in such a place. All respects to holy prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who appeared and blossomed as a model for whole humanity.

This book has expanded the seismic methods including seismic data acquisition and processing, leading to advance seismic imaging and reservoir modeling. The aim of this book is to help graduate students and oil and gas industry starters in geophysics to understand seismic methods and advance processing for complex subsurface delineation. In addition to the developments in all aspects of conventional processing, this volume represents a comprehensive and complete coverage of the modern trends in the seismic industry—from isotropy to anisotropy depth imaging which lead to the characterization of reservoirs.

It is a great pleasure to thank those who made this book possible, such as my ever-supporting colleagues and friends. I am heartily thankful to late Prof. Deva Prasad Ghosh, whose encouragement, supervision, and support from the preliminary to the concluding level enabled me to complete the book. I would like to make special thanks to my coauthors in completing the writeup at weekends and during the night. A special thanks goes to my department colleagues, who always agreed to review our book chapters and provided kind suggestions to improve the research and book, those include but are not limited to Prof. Abdul Ghani, Dr. Ahmed Salim, A.P. Lo Shyh-Zung, Dr. Hassan, Dr. Suhaili, Dr. Ghareb, A.P. Wan Ismail, Dr. Khairul Ariffin, Dr. Abdul Halim, Dr. Siti Nur Fathiyah, and Dr. Luluan Lubis. I would also like to thank my colleagues in the Centre for Seismic Imaging (CSI), who assisted and supported me in the completion of this project including Dr. Sajid, Dr. Iftikhar, Dr. Maman, Dr. Hammad, Dr. Annur, Dr. Liu, Siti Naqsyah, and to all CSI members. Many thanks for the discussions and sharing valuable knowledge.

Chapter 1

Seismic data acquisition including survey design and factors affecting seismic acquisition

Abdul Rahim Md Arshad¹, Abdul Halim Abdul Latiff¹ and Yasir Bashir¹,²,    ¹Department of Geosciences, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar, Malaysia,    ²School of Physics, Geophysics Section, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Gelugor, Penang, Malaysia

Abstract

Geophysicists collect seismic data in the same way as earthquake seismologists. Elastic waves propagate through the Earth as a result of earthquakes. The ground motions caused by elastic wave propagation are then recorded by seismologists using a seismograph. A controlled seismic source of energy, but one that is much lower than an earthquake, is used in seismic exploration to generate elastic waves that propagate through the subsurface. Multiple receivers at the surface detect and record reflected seismic energy.

Keywords

Seismic; elastic wave; survey design; acquisition

Contents

Outline

1.1 Introduction 1

1.2 Geophysical factors affecting seismic acquisition 1

1.3 Survey design 2

1.4 Land, marine, transition zone, and borehole seismic data acquisition 4

1.5 Ocean bottom cable and ocean bottom node 7

1.6 Land and marine sources and receivers 9

1.7 2D versus 3D seismic 14

1.8 Advances in seismic data acquisition 15

1.8.1 Marine seismic vibrator 15

1.9 Conclusions 15

References 16

1.1 Introduction

In seismic exploration activity, seismic data acquisition is the element with the largest cost. Acquisition parameters fundamentally determine, among others, resolution and data quality.

1.2 Geophysical factors affecting seismic acquisition

The following geophysical factors that affect seismic acquisition must be known for a successful 2D/3D seismic data acquisition:

1. The real extent of the target objective determines the survey and recording spread size.

2. Trap and reservoir velocities determine the record length, vertical and spatial resolution, and shot and group intervals.

3. Depth to targets and targets velocities—determine the maximum offset and the record length. A rule of thumb, maximum offset xmax is at least equal to the deepest target, zmax.

4. The respective dominant frequencies of shallowest depth of interest and target interval determine the source parameters.

5. Structural dips determine the direction of shooting and recording spread layout.

6. Structural interpretation, stratigraphic interpretation, reservoir characterization, or time lapse requirements determine resolution and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio.

7. Information on legacy data such as velocity, multiples, scatterers, and noise help in designing an optimum survey.

Table 1.1 encapsulates the key seismic acquisition parameters that affect the resolution and the quality of seismic data. The single variable that controls resolution the most is the spatial sampling parameter. Traditionally, marine data are well sampled in the inline direction. Crossline sampling, on the other hand, may not be sufficient because of cost consideration.

Table 1.1

1.3 Survey design

All survey designs begin with the subsurface imaging objectives and the seismic resolution requirements. For cost-effective, timely, and high-quality seismic surveys, several oil companies have conducted survey design studies. Naturally, complex structures and reservoirs require higher resolution and hence have high cost associated with them. Eventually, a compromise has to be made between accuracy, resolution, and cost. The following subsections discuss some of the survey methods that are used to help with the decision.

Acquisition of geophysical parameters can be modeled for quality control on the desired illumination and resolution. Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS developed a technique for evaluating a survey design. This technique is based on the particle swarm optimization (PSO) method to determine the best receiver positions for a marine acquisition in a shallow gas cloud situation (Latiff, Ghosh, & Latiff, 2017). PSO is a nonlinear function concept where the algorithm tries to simulate real-life movement like particle swarming or bird flocking and solves problems by minimizing or maximizing parameters involved within a closed environment. This is based on a defined cost function. The PSO simulation process is derived in a heuristic nature. The solution obtained has an advantage over an exact method (exhaustive search) by utilizing the knowledge and experience of all other members of the community.

The PSO methodology is carried out in two parts: (1) wavefield extrapolation incorporating the focal beam method (Volker, Blacquière, Berkhout, & Ongkiehong, 2002; Fig. 1.1A) and (2) receiver location optimization based on the PSO approach (Fig. 1.1B). Figs. 1.2–1.5 illustrate the results of the seismic illumination analysis work.

Figure 1.1 (A) Step (1)—Wavefield extrapolation by focal beam. (B) Step (2)—PSO method to search for the best receiver