A non-differencing approach to seismic monitoring: Implications for difficult carbonate reservoirs

Abdelmoneam E. Raef*, Richard D. Miller

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Application of time-lapse seismic data to reservoir monitoring and/or carbon dioxide sequestration programs still faces challenges arising from data repeatability and routine processing practices. Emphasis has therefore been placed on structurally imaging the subsurface rather than preserving seismic wavelet characteristics. Our need for high-resolution seismic data and wavelet-oriented processing required attention to detail coupled with a non-differencing approach to interpretation to successfully monitor a weak time-lapse anomaly in a carbonate reservoir. Near-simultaneous processing flow for baseline and monitor data sets with special attention paid to preserving and enhancing monitor seismic wavelet characteristics and adopting an interpretation approach that would mitigate effects of less-than-perfect cross-equalization enabled us to detect and monitor a very weak (~10%) CO2 flood anomaly. Conservative cross-equalization, though desired for preserving weak TL anomalies, renders data differencing unsuitable for most subtle time-lapse anomalies. Higher-resolution data improves the signal's sensitivity to fluid effects on time-lapse seismic and lessens the risk associated with monitoring thin and inhomogeneous carbonate reservoirs. However, high-resolution data is more susceptible to repeatability errors during differencing. Improvement in detectability of change using our non-differencing approach stems from enhanced emphasis on data quality and repeatability, use of areal textures on seismic horizon attribute slices, avoiding the noise amplification from differencing, and textural changes of time-lapse signatures from weak fluid effects.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationSociety of Exploration Geophysicists - SEG International Exposition and 76tth Annual Meeting 2006, SEG 2006
PublisherSociety of Exploration Geophysicists
Pages3110-3114
Number of pages5
ISBN (Print)9781604236972
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Externally publishedYes
EventSociety of Exploration Geophysicists International Exposition and 76tth Annual Meeting 2006, SEG 2006 - New Orleans, United States
Duration: Oct 1 2006Oct 6 2006

Publication series

NameSociety of Exploration Geophysicists - SEG International Exposition and 76tth Annual Meeting 2006, SEG 2006

Conference

ConferenceSociety of Exploration Geophysicists International Exposition and 76tth Annual Meeting 2006, SEG 2006
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Orleans
Period10/1/0610/6/06

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics

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