Using Seismic Attributes and Forward Modeling to Characterize Producibility in a Fractured
Carbonate Reservoir
Gianni Matteucci*, ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, Daniel H. Cassiani, ExxonMobil Exploration
Company, Abdullatif Y. Mohammed, Kuwait Oil Company
Summary
Fractured carbonate reservoirs constitute significant
challenges in quantitative seismic reservoir
characterization. The purpose of our study was twofold:
1) To investigate whether seismic attribute calibration
could be used to develop and support the detailed 3D
geologic modeling of the Kra Al-Maru discovery in
Western Kuwait, and
2) To verify the applicability of ExxonMobil’s
proprietary seismic attribute technology and
integration process in predicting the most
economically relevant reservoir property: its
producibility.
We illustrate the key elements with the aid of a case study
on the Jurassic-age Najmah and Sargelu Formations, an
unconventional, naturally fractured, carbonate reservoir.
The Minagish field was used as a producing analog of the
Kra Al-Maru field. We used seismic forward modeling and
well control from the Minagish, the Umm Gudair, and Kra
Al-Maru fields to validate the results.
Introduction
The underlying theme of this contribution is the integration
of geological, geophysical, engineering, and production
data in a common general process flow. Our analysis
included attributes from these disciplines, many of which
are not commonly associated with seismic attribute studies.
Their simultaneous and exhaustive analysis gives insights
into how the geology, geophysics, and engineering
properties of the reservoir are linked.
Integration also requires a clear process flow and a clear
understanding of what are the limitations of the each data
type. Without such an understanding and the road map
provided by the process flow, many techniques tend to
become too data specific and not generalizable. We used
our tested processes and tools, refined them, and developed
new ones to address the specific problem we faced. Our
conclusions have been tested and confirmed by drilling
results.
Geological and Regional Setting
The Najmah-Sargelu interval was deposited in the Middle
Jurassic at a time (170-150 Ma) of relatively high
SEG Int'l Exposition and Annual Meeting * San Antonio, Texas * September 9-14, 2001
convergence between Arabia and Eurasia. The reservoir
interval (about 130 m thick) consists of carbonates
deposited in warm, low energy, shallow waters. Several
organic-rich intervals within the Najmah formation
constitute the source rocks for the reservoir. Two regional
seals, the underlying Dhruma shale (~50 m) and the more
massive overlying Gotnia-Hith anhydrite and salt sequence
(~700 m) confine the Najmah-Sargelu reservoir. The
reservoir is under highly abnormal pressure conditions.
The Minagish field is divided into three culminations: the
Minagish, West Minagish, and South Minagish structures
have been drilled by several wells. The Minagish anticlinal
trend extends deeper to the northwest, then becoming the
Kra Al-Maru field. To the southeast is the shallower Umm
Gudair field. The Minagish, Kra Al-Maru, and Umm
Gudair structures are covered by 3D seismic surveys
acquired over different periods between 1994 and 1996
with the same acquisition parameters.
Fractures
Fractures are a crucial element controlling the performance
over time of the producing wells due to low matrix
permeability. The vertical and horizontal distribution of
fractures and their networks, the fracture characteristics,
and matrix porosity are the key geologic factors which
impact reservoir performance in the Najmah-Sargelu
interval. Key studies to address this issue included fault
identification from 3D seismic continuity analysis, fracture
logging, facies interpretation and oriented core analysis.
Producibility
"Producibility" can be thought as a measure of "Reservoir
Quality" because it characterizes the ability of the reservoir
to flow and produce over extended periods of time.
Porosity and permeability are the obvious reservoir
properties of interest. Their estimates by well log and core
analyses, however, are subject to spatial sampling bias.
Engineering reservoir properties, such as flow rates
measurements, estimate reservoir conditions on a much
bigger spatial scale. Engineering data are natural spatial
integrators, giving the cumulative effect of matrix porosity
and fracture permeability. Engineering data and seismic
attributes depend on rock and reservoir properties over
relatively extensive vertical and spatial scales. The main
challenge in attempting to relate them is to demonstrate the
existence and effectiveness of a physical mechanism
connecting, for example, matrix porosity and fracture
density to seismic impedance and seismic amplitude.
 Producibility Prediction in Fractured Reservoir by Seismic Attributes
Flow Rate (or Normalized Bottom Hole Flow Rate, BH,
measured in reservoir barrels per day) and the Producibility
Index (PI, approximately a pressure-scaled and normalized
version of BH, measured in reservoir barrels per day per
pressure drop) are two commonly measured engineering
properties. For conventional non-fractured oil reservoirs,
BH is a linear function of PI and the pressure drawdown.
For fractured reservoirs a non-linear relationship is often
observed (Reiss, 1980), as seen in the Najmah-Sargelu
(Figure 1).
Figure 1: Scatter plot between BH (Normalized Bottom Hole Flow
Rate and PI (Producibility Index) with the line of best fit. Notice
how a logarithmic curve catches the nonlinear trend in the data.
The nonlinearity among such variables is typical of naturally
fractured reservoirs.
An independent analysis of well logs confirmed indeed that
for our study area producibility is controlled predominantly
by fracture permeability. We used BH (an indicator of
reservoir producibility) as the calibrating reservoir
property.
Attribute Analysis
Some of the essential elements of an attribute analysis
process are (e.g., Matteucci, 1996):
• Identify seismic data artifacts,
• Extract and identify important seismic attributes,
• Calibrate attributes to the reservoir properties
measured at the existing wells,
• Identify data constraints and uncertainties,
• Validate the empirical calibration (statistically,
geologically and with forward seismic modeling),
iterating as necessary, and
• Interpolate/extrapolate over the survey.
Both the Minagish and Kra Al-Maru 3D seismic surveys
exhibit acquisition-related artifacts. Their influence,
however, becomes negligible at the reservoir level. We did
not have the full Umm Gudair survey available, just two
seismic sub-volumes around two validation wells.
SEG Int'l Exposition and Annual Meeting * San Antonio, Texas * September 9-14, 2001
A common seismic processing flow was applied to each
survey to minimize potential differences in seismic imaging
among the three surveys over which we have well control.
Although fracturing plays a dominant role in reservoir
performance, it is difficult to model seismically. Map
patterns of a number of seismic attributes suggest that
significant reservoir changes are taking place. To evaluate
these changes, we conducted a detailed seismic attribute
study on multiple seismic volumes.
Some of the steps involved the subdivision of the log data
in three seismically resolvable intervals. We then analyzed
the data for each interval and used the results to guide us in
the analysis of the seismic character and to constrain our
seismic forward modeling.
Attributes from multiple seismic volumes were then
imported into the ExxonMobil proprietary toolkit for
quantitative seismic attribute analysis and calibration to
reservoir properties. Our processes enable us to analyze
exhaustively all this information, recognize the degree of
redundancy and independence of the attributes, and sort out
and identify the most important attributes.
Calibration
The main goal of calibration is to relate quantitatively
seismic attributes to reservoir properties. It is indeed very
simple and easy to find relationships. The biggest
challenge in calibration is to recognize and eliminate
spurious relationships while identifying instead those that
are statistically significant, robust, geologically meaningful
and physically effective.
We analyzed a large suite of geophysical attributes (both
single-trace and multi-trace) along with structural (e.g.,
geometric multi-trace attributes), geological, and reservoir
engineering attributes commonly not associated with
seismic attribute studies. We also applied the same process
to the analysis of seismic forward models.
Seismic reprocessing by Kuwait Oil Company was crucial
in permitting the consistency of the calibration,
extrapolation, and validation over multiple surveys. For
each survey, we had one volume with processing optimized
for resolution, and another volume with processing
optimized for noise reduction.
The final iteration focused on the analysis of the inverted
seismic impedance volumes. Seismic inversion, and
specifically the resultant common amplitude scaling of the
data enabled us to include and extrapolate attributes from
multiple 3D surveys. Seismic attributes extracted from
total impedance (seismically inverted) data provided the
best calibration to reservoir producibility (flow rate).
 Producibility Prediction in Fractured Reservoir by Seismic Attributes
Validation
Validation is an essential component of any serious
attribute calibration study. We used several procedures.
Our study was not limited to a statistical analysis of the
data. Our main goal was in finding consistent, independent
confirmation of the existence of a strong physical and
geologically meaningful relationship. The underlying
philosophy of such approach is to link as strongly as
possible theory and observations.
Statistical Validation:
In the first iteration of the calibration phase we used the
Minagish wells alone. We identified the most meaningful
relationship, investigated its stability, and applied to the
whole Minagish survey. We also separated and analyzed
the signal response of the reservoir unit into its individual
components (seismic loops).
We then extrapolated the relationship developed over
Minagish into two adjacent 3-D surveys: Umm Gudair and
Kra Al-Maru. We used the additional wells on such
surveys for validation. We found the relationship
developed over the Minagish field to be robust and very
stable spatially. For example, the blind well validation
tests indicated that over the three 3D surveys the prediction
uncertainty is comparable to the measurement uncertainty
of the flow rates as estimated by the engineers (in field
separator tests). We verified the stability, robustness, and
statistical significance of results when we included
additional wells. Our final predictions spanned three
separate surveys and covered an area of approximately 60-
km by 40 km (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Map of Producibility (BH) over the study area using the
relationship developed over Minagish field and using two
amplitude-based seismic attributes from the seismically inverted
volume. High flow rates are mostly over South Minagish and
Umm Gudair fields. Kra Al-Maru is to the northwest.
Validation with Seismic Forward Modeling:
SEG Int'l Exposition and Annual Meeting * San Antonio, Texas * September 9-14, 2001
We constructed seismic forward models to understand and
validate the empirical results. This is a critical step to
ensure the geophysical significance of the statistical
relationships. We used well log analyses to constrain
forward modeling to the realistic conditions occurring in
our study area.
Over the Minagish field, the producibility predictions are
partly controlled by stratigraphy. Variations in thickness
and porosity of the Middle Najmah cause detectable
changes in the inverted acoustic impedance. However, the
modeled response, even assuming extreme reservoir
conditions, is never as large as observed. We looked but
found no evidence linking seismic acquisition, processing,
or other data quality problems to the observed variability.
We conclude that seismic amplitude attenuation caused by
fracturing is responsible for the portion of the signal
unaccounted by changes in rock reservoir properties. Such
attenuation is present in the original seismic volume and
ultimately retained in the inverted volume.
Specifically, we believe that a significant portion of the
observed amplitude attenuation around the best producing
wells, and especially around the Kra Al-Maru wells, is
caused by the scattering of seismic energy caused by the
occurrence of high fracture density (Figure 3). Such
attenuation is consistent with studies of the Monterey
Formation in California (Padgett and Nester, 1991). The
attenuation occurs precisely in the interval for which the
greatest occurrences of fractures is observed and from
which most of the flow originates in the KM-2 validation
well.
Figure 3 Seismic traverse from the total impedance volume over
the Kra Al-Maru field. The lowermost horizon is the Middle
Najmah.
Geological Validation
Fracturing in a reservoir can occur because of structural
deformation. Several studies have discussed the
relationship between the curvature of a seismically mapped
interpreted horizon and fracture density (cf., Luthy and
Grover, 1995, and references therein). Curvature, and the
fractures that come with structural flexure, provides the
permeability in these rocks. Indeed, in our predictions over
Kra Al-Maru (Figure 4), there is a strong relationship
 Producibility Prediction in Fractured Reservoir by Seismic Attributes
between the seismic-based producibility map and the high-
resolution geometric curvature map.
Figure 4: Geological validation of predictions. Over Kra Al-Maru,
the producibility predictions (left) based on seismic attributes are
consistent with estimates of high-resolution structural curvature
(right).
3D Geologic Modeling:
As the final step of the overall process, producibility maps
were included in the reservoir model to guide our
predictions and simulations of reservoir performance and to
devise a field development plan.
Conclusions
Our results strongly suggest that in the Najmah-Sargelu
interval seismic data can be used to predict producibility:
the most economically relevant reservoir property. Seismic
attributes from the inverted volume provided qualitatively
and quantitatively more details and resolution than standard
seismic continuity, fault and curvature analyses.
More specifically, with regards to the Jurassic-age fractured
reservoir carbonate study:
• We successfully extrapolated and validated
predictions at KAM and UG wells using only the
MNG wells - over 40 and 20 km apart, on separate
surveys. This is rarely done in industry.
• Seismic reprocessing was crucial in permitting
calibration, extrapolation, and validation over multiple
surveys.
• We generated reservoir prediction maps and the
associated uncertainty prediction estimates at each
trace location. The maps were used to condition
reservoir flow simulations, estimate reserves in place,
select new drilling locations and quantify drilling risk.
• We used statistical analyses to quantify the observed
variability and relate it back to geology. Our
proprietary curvature analysis demonstrates the reason
there are fractures.
• Seismic inversion was essential in simplifying
attribute analysis and in resolving amplitude scaling
among separate (non-overlapping) surveys.
SEG Int'l Exposition and Annual Meeting * San Antonio, Texas * September 9-14, 2001
• We identified an empirical model that gives a strong
fit, is robust, spatially stable, and highly significant
statistically. Two seismic attributes are sufficient.
• Amplitude attributes from the Acoustic Impedance
seismically inverted volume give the best fit and
successfully validate at well sites.
This case study demonstrates what detailed information can
be extracted from seismic data using a rigorous process
flow that integrates engineering, geological, and
geophysical data. Our conclusions were subsequently
tested and confirmed by well results.
Acknowledgements
The integrated nature of this study involved the talents of
many people. Too numerous is the list of individuals to be
published here. We are grateful for the contributions of all
the members of the Kra Al-Maru Joint Technical Study
team. We would especially like to acknowledge the
management of Kuwait Oil Co. Exploration Department,
especially Khalid Al Sumaiti, Hassan Al Bunian, Menahi
Al Anzi and Fahed Al-Menadi as well as ExxonMobil
Exploration Co. team members D. S. Ingersoll and Dennis
Walton for their contributions and support of the study.
We gratefully appreciate the management of Kuwait Oil
Co., ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co. and ExxonMobil
Exploration Co. for their constant encouragement and for
permission to publish this work.
References
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geologic modeling of a fractured reservoir", Saudi Arabia,
in 9th SPE Middle East Oil Show, Bahrain, 419-430.
Matteucci G. (1996) "Seismic attribute analysis and
calibration: a general procedure and a case study", in 66th
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Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA, 373-376.
Padgett M. J. and Nester D. C. (1991) "Fracture evaluation
of Block P-0315, Point Arguello Field, offshore California,
using core, outcrop, seismic data and curved space
analysis", in 1st AAPG SPE et al. Conference, Houston,
Texas, USA, 242-258.
Reiss L. H. (1980) "The reservoir engineering aspects of
fractured formations", Gulf Publishing Company, Houston,
Texas, USA, pp. 55-58.