Seismic Attribute Sensitivity to Energy, Bandwidth, Phase and Thickness

Downloaded 02/11/14 to 167.205.22.104. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://library.seg.org/
Greg A. Partyka*, Amoco Exploration and Production Technology Group (now at BPAmoco)
Introduction Geoscientists rely on variability in seismic reflections to identify and quantify reservoir characteristics. Such quantification depends on the ability to detect and resolve subtle waveform characteristics. Seismic attributes provide a means of measuring these waveform characteristics and therefore play a key role in seismic reservoir characterization. Attribute computation and analysis tools have become commonplace in seismic interpretation workstations. Effective and efficient use of seismic attributes depends on the geoscientist's familiarity with attributes and what they represent. Taner et al. (1977 and 1979) along with Bodine (1984) are classic articles that deal with the theory and use of complex trace attributes. The purpose of this article is threefold: to review common instantaneous and response seismic attributes, to summarize their dependence on variability in energy, bandwidth and phase, via simple half-space models, and to demonstrate their dependence on thickness variability, via simple wedge models. Models We will exploit two suites of models to help define and illustrate our seismic attributes. The first suite (Figure 1) contains seven models that incorporate no tuning and show the effect of variable energy, bandwidth, and phase on a single reflectivity spike. Each model consists of nine traces 150ms in length; each trace has one reflectivity spike at 75ms. In other words, these seven models vary in the processing applied to one reflectivity spike: 1. Energy Model: Reflection strength increases linearly from left to right: 100% on the left to 180% on the right. Bandwidth (8-10-40-50) and phase (zero) remain constant. 2. Bandwidth Model: Bandwidth increases linearly from left to right: 8-10-20-30 on the left to 8-10-44-54 on the right. Energy (100%) and phase (zero) remain constant. 3. Phase Model: Phase increases linearly from left to right by 30 degree increments; 0 degrees on the left to 240 degrees on the right. Bandwidth (8-10-40-50) and energy (100%) remain constant. 4. Energy-Bandwidth Model: Energy and bandwidth vary as in models 1. and 2.; phase remains constant at zero. 5. Energy-Phase Model: Energy and phase vary as in models 1) and 3) bandwidth remains constant at 8-1040-50. Bandwidth-Phase Model: Bandwidth and phase vary as in models 2) and 3); energy remains constant at 100%. 7. Energy-Bandwidth-Phase Model: Energy, bandwidth and phase vary as in models 1., 2., and 3. When examined as a set, these seven models provide insight into the sensitivity of attributes to any combination of energy, bandwidth and/or phase variability. The second suite (Figure 2) incorporates tuning. These three models exhibit variable bed thickness while maintaining constant energy, bandwidth and phase. Each model exhibits the same wedge geometry and consists of 50 traces, 250 ms in length. The top of the wedge is at time 100ms. The wedge thickens from 0 ms on the left to 50 ms on the right: 1. Blocky Wedge Model: Each trace contains two reflectivity spikes of equal amplitude, opposite sign. The top spike (amplitude = -1) is located at the top of the wedge. The bottom spike (amplitude = +1) is located at the bottom of the wedge. 2. Blocky/Gradational Wedge Model: All samples within the wedge contain a reflectivity spike (amplitude = +0.1). Each trace also contains a reflectivity spike (amplitude = -1) located at the top of the wedge. All samples outside of the wedge contain no reflectivity spikes (amplitude = 0). 3. Gradational Wedge Model: All samples within the wedge contain a reflectivity spike (amplitude = +0.1). All samples outside of the wedge contain no reflectivity spikes (amplitude = 0). It is important to examine both model sets because seismic attributes are sensitive to both processing and rock properties. The first model set exhibits laterally consistent reflectivity, but laterally variable signal properties (i.e., variable scaling, filtering, and phase rotation; consistent rock properties). Statics, variable receiver coupling, and attenuation are three of the major causes for such behaviour. The second model set exhibits laterally variable reflectivity; but laterally consistent signal properties (i.e., consistent scaling, filtering, and phase rotation; variable rock properties). Changes in lithology , fluid, and thickness are three main causes for laterally variable reflectivity. To model sub-resolution thicknesses, each wedge was filtered with a zero-phase 8-10-40-50 Hz Ormsby filter prior to attribute computation. Attribute Definitions Seismic reflection data can be subdivided into components such as energy, frequency, and phase. Trace attributes such 6.

SEG 2000 Expanded Abstracts

Seismic Attribute Sensitivity

as reflection strength, instantaneous phase, instantaneous frequency, etc... characterize groups of these seismic waveform components. Breaking up the seismic waveforms into attribute components allows the interpreter to identify and utilize those waveforms that best discriminate and characterize the reservoir features of interest. The attributes reviewed here, are grouped into two broad categories: instantaneous attributes and response attributes. Instantaneous attributes characterize sample-by-sample variability and isolate the individual waveform components that make up the seismic trace. Attributes in this category (Taner et al 1977, and Taner et al 1979) include quadrature amplitude, real amplitude, reflection strength, instantaneous phase, cosine of the instantaneous phase, and instantaneous frequency. Bodine's (1984) response attributes characterize simple reflection boundaries and/or complex reflection zones/packets; variations within single energy envelope lobes. Response attributes exhibit a blocky appearance because one value is obtained for each energy envelope lobe and is returned as a constant for the entire time width of the envelope lobe from trough-to-trough. Attributes in this category include response amplitude, response phase, response frequency, and response length. Instantaneous Attributes Quadrature Amplitude The quadrature trace is the imaginary part of the complex seismic trace, and can be computed from the real trace via the Hilbert transform. Both the real trace and its quadrature counterpart share the same amplitude spectrum; the quadrature trace however, is phase rotated by 90 degrees. Zero-crossings on the real trace transform to peaks and troughs on the qudrature trace; peaks and troughs on the real seismic trace transform to zero-crossings on the quadrature trace. The quadrature is used in various mathematical combinations to compute other complex trace attributes such as instantaneous phase and instantaneous frequency. It is sensitive to energy, frequency, and phase. Reflection Strength The reflection strength, sometimes referred to as energy envelope, is defined as the total energy of the seismic trace. It is independent of phase, and it's values are always "greater than" or "equal to" zero. Mathematically, it is defined as: e(t) = [r2(t) + q2(t)]1/2 where: e(t) = energy envelope, r(t) = real seismic trace, and The cosine of instantaneous phase has the same uses as instantaneous phase with one additional benefit: it is continually smooth. By avoiding the +/-180 degree discontinuity that occurs with instantaneous phase, the cosine of instantaneous phase can be further processed (e.g., filtered and stacked) using conventional seismic processing tools. Amplitude peaks and troughs retain their position, but with strong and weak events now exhibiting equal strength. Instantaneous Frequency Instantaneous frequency is the rate of change of instantaneous phase: dp(t) / d(t) where: p(t) = instantaneous phase trace The instantaneous frequency is a measure of time dependent mean frequency and is independent of phase and amplitude. We find it useful to look at changes in thickness and acoustic rock properties. Since most reflection events are composed of multiple, closely-spaced thin beds, the superposition of multiple reflections can produce an instantaneous frequency pattern that characterizes the composite reflection. Destructive interference caused by seismic processing artifacts such as incorrect nmo or statics q(t) = quadrature seismic trace. Strong energy reflections can be associated with major lithologic changes as well as oil and gas accumulations. Lateral energy variations can quantify changes in acoustic rock properties and bed thickness. They can also be used to distinguish massive reflectors from thin-bed composites. In the case of unconformities, reflection strength will vary as subcropping beds change. Instantaneous Phase The instantaneous phase emphasizes spatial continuity/discontinuity of reflections by providing a way for weak and strong events to appear with equal strength. Mathematically, it is defined as: p(t) = tan-1[q(t)/r(t)] where: p(t) = instantaneous phase trace, q(t) = quadrature seismic trace, and r(t) = real seismic trace. The instantaneous phase makes strong events clearer and is effective at highlighting discontinuities, faults, pinch-outs, angularities, and bed interfaces. Seismic sequence boundaries, sedimentary layer patterns and regions of onlap/offlap patterns often exhibit extra clarity. Cosine of Instantaneous Phase

Downloaded 02/11/14 to 167.205.22.104. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://library.seg.org/

SEG 2000 Expanded Abstracts

Seismic Attribute Sensitivity

corrections (prior to stacking) can artificially reduce the frequency content. for the entire time width of the energy lobe from trough to trough. It is independent of phase and amplitude. Complex reflection "packets" tend to have longer response lengths than simple reflections. This attribute provides a measure of seismic reflection stability, and is therefore useful in characterizing the complexity of the seismic waveform encompassed by the energy envelope. If the response length is laterally stable while the other response attributes are not, waveform variability is more likely caused by tuning than by poor signal to noise or unstable reflection. Conclusions Effective and efficient use of seismic attributes depends on the geoscientist's familiarity with attributes and what they represent. Models such as those presented here, allow geoscientists to examine and understand attribute sensitivity to waveform variability. References Bodine, J.H., 1984, Waveform analysis with seismic attributes. SEG 54th Annual International Meeting, December, Atlanta. Bodine, J.H., 1984, Waveform analysis with seismic attributes. Oil & Gas Journal, 84, 24, 59-63. Taner, M.T. and Sheriff, R.E., 1977. Application of amplitude, frequency and other attributes to stratigraphic and hydrocarbon determination, in C.E. Payton, ed., Seismic Stratigraphy: Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration. AAPG Memoir 26, 301-327. Taner, M.T., Koehler, F., and Sheriff, R.E., 1979. Complex seismic trace analysis, Geophysics, 44, 1041-1063.

Downloaded 02/11/14 to 167.205.22.104. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://library.seg.org/

Response Attributes Response Energy The response energy is the amplitude of the reflection strength at the point at which the energy envelope is a maximum. One value is obtained for each energy lobe and is returned as a constant for the entire time width of the energy lobe from trough to trough. It is independent of phase, and useful in measuring energy variations from energy lobe to energy lobe. Like reflection strength, the response energy characterizes acoustic rock properties and bed thickness. However, because the response calculation returns just one value per energy envelope lobe, zones-of-interest encompassed by single energy lobes become characterized by single values that can be easily mapped.

Response Phase
The response phase is the value of the instantaneous phase at the point at which the envelope is a maximum. One value is obtained for each energy lobe and is returned as a constant for the entire time width of the energy lobe from trough to trough. This value commonly represents the dominant phase of the waveform. It is independent of amplitude, and useful in measuring phase variations from energy lobe to energy lobe. Response Frequency The response Frequency is the value of the instantaneous frequency at the point at which the envelope is a maximum. One value is obtained for each energy lobe and is returned as a constant for the entire time width of the energy lobe from trough to trough. This is a measure of the dominant frequency of the waveform contained within the envelope and is useful in measuring dominant frequency variations from energy lobe to energy lobe. It is independent of energy and phase. As a group, response energy, response phase, and response frequency describe the complementary dominant features of an energy envelope. Response energy is independent of phase; response phase is independent of energy; and response frequency is independent of energy and phase. Response Length The response length is the half-length of the energy envelope from energy trough to trough. One value is obtained for each energy lobe and is returned as a constant

Acknowledgments I wish to thank Amoco Production Company for permission to publish this material.

SEG 2000 Expanded Abstracts

Seismic Attribute Sensitivity

Downloaded 02/11/14 to 167.205.22.104. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://library.seg.org/

Figure 1: These seven models incorporate no tuning and show the effect of variable energy, bandwidth, and phase on a single reflectivity spike.

Figure 2: These three models exhibit variable bed thickness while maintaining constant energy, bandwidth and phase.

SEG 2000 Expanded Abstracts