CHAPTER 3

SEISMIC INTERPRETATION

3.1. Introduction
Seismic interpretation is a method used to determine the geological significance of the
subsurface through seismic data acquired from the exploration of hydrocarbons or geotechnical
studies. The structural or stratigraphical representation of the earth can be transformed by using
seismic interpretation. The seismic section represents the geological model of the earth by
interpretation, so that the anomaly zone can be located. It is ascertained that correctness or
incorrectness is rare, because the geology is rare to be known in well manner. For good
interpretation it is all about being consistent rather than being correct. Quality of the data to be
interpreted, have increased by modern multi-channel data, Interpreter draws subsurface image
based on his geological understanding to pick the most likely interpretation from the many
“valid” interpretations that can be made from that data (Thompson & Woods, 1993). There are
two basic aspects that are focused by the interpreter to observe the seismic record:

 Two-way travel time

 Geometry/shape of the reflector

Travel time is the arrival time of any reflected or refracted wave from the geological subsurface.
The depth to this surface is related to the thickness and the velocity of the overlying rocks. The
shape of reflector tells about signal strength, comprising frequencies and frequencies distribution
over pulse, these can assist to support conclusions regarding lithology and fluid content of
reflector being interpreted (Thompson & Woods, 1993).

The seismic data interpreter must have good hold both in geology and geophysics. The
geologic significance may be extracted from aggregate of minor observations. For example,
normal increase velocity with depth is related to the down dip thinning of the reflection or
sediment thinning or shale flow or salt that may develop imaginary structure in sub surface
(Sheriff, 1999).

The reflection should reveal the structure and the stratigraphy of the subsurface, as clear
as possible. The reflections are basically the indication of the boundaries where there is a
contrast in the acoustic impedance contrast. We correlate the seismic data with the well data to
mark different horizons on the seismic data. The seismic data can be interpreted in two methods
the first method involves well control and uses the well information to tie with the available
seismic data. If there is no well in the area in this case seismic data interpretation should be
preceded by using the seismic data which provides the information about the structure, and
deposition environment. Lithology is defined by the stratigraphic information. (Dobrin and Savit,
1988).

There are two approaches that are used in the seismic interpretation these are; structural
analysis and stratigraphic analysis.

3.2. Structural analysis

The structural analysis is used to find out the structural traps (can be anticlines and faults)
which are containing hydrocarbons. This analysis involves the marking and identification of
faults and horizons and also includes the picking of travel time at respective shot points. When
the horizons are picked and the faults are marked then these two will be used to generate
structure map that is called as time contour map/time structure map. To acquire the information
about the sub surface time contour map will be converted into depth contour map. These two
maps are generated for each horizon of interest. To avoid uncertainties in the horizon picking,
synthetic seismogram is used. In this way the available seismic data set is used for the structural
interpretation.

3.3. Stratigraphic analysis

Stratigraphic analysis is done to delineate the seismic sequences that are not associated
with the tectonic deformation but related to the variation in sedimentary deposition. These
seismic sequences are marked and identify as unconformities and pinch out etc. in this type of
seismic analysis, seismic section is first divided into discrete depositional packages that are then
interpreted as genetically linked seismic sequences. Erosional/depositional history of area and
the environment of deposition at the time of movement is inferred by the unconformable contacts
on seismic section (Emery & Myers, 1996).
 Generation of base map

Control line selection

Time depth chart(T-D Chart)

Fault identificaton and horizon picking

Time and Depth contour maps

3.4. Base map

The first step in the seismic interpretation is the generation of base map. The base map is
generated on the kingdom software by using the navigation file obtained from LMKR. The base
map is important to know your map view location of the study area. It is generated to acquire
information about the seismic lines location of the well and shot points.

Base map of the Zamzama area shows one strike line (HPK96A-08), oriented South
North, and four dip lines (HPK98A-30, 07, 32, 34) which are oriented west-east direction.
Figure 3. 1 Base map of Zamzama North 01

3.5. Control line

The seismic line on which the well is being drilled is known as control line. One of the
important use of this line is to mark faults and horizons on the control line and then the
interpretation is shifted to other lines. HPK98A-34 is taken as control line.

3.6. TD chart of Zamzama North-01

There are two parameters which are used to generate TD chart i.e. time and depth (given
on the control line). TD chart is generated on Microsoft Excel the time is taken on x-axis and
depth on y-axis. It is important to tie seismic data to well data. Formation depth calculated by
formation top, given on well data, is used to mark the horizons.

Formation Depth= Formation top + SRD –kb

SRD=0m (mean sea-level)

Kb=48.62
Formation tops are following:

Table 3. 1 Table showing formation tops

Formation Formation Tops Formation depth

Kirthar 2264 2215.38

Dungan 2975 2926.38

Pab 3712 3663.38

Table 3. 2 Time to Depth chart shows time and depth relation

Formation name Formation tops Formation tops Time

from SRD

Kirthar 2264 2215.38 1.456488566

Dunghan 2975 2926.38 1.772505429

Pab 3658 3609.38 2.062817451

3.7. Fault Picking
Faults are determined and mapped on the basis of the breaks in the continuity of the
reflectors. Prominent ones are obvious on the acquired seismic data.

3.8. Horizon Marking

Marking of horizon is the first step of the seismic interpretation in which prominent
reflectors is being picked. Our well is located on the line HPK98A-34 at short point 1176 which
is taken as control line. Time of the formation top on the seismic section has been marked by the
provided information about the formation top, given on well data, and by analyzing TD chart and
then the marked points have been extended on both sides following the trend of reflector.

When all the horizons have been marked on the control line HPK98A-34 then the
interpretation is shifted from HPK98A-34 to HPK96-08Ext which is considered as strike line.

3.9. Interpretation of seismic lines

The study area is located in the southern indus basin that is in compressional regime. A
thrust fault was observed on all the four dip lines; HPK98A-30, 07, 32, 34. The seismic data
provided is not of very good quality as it was not showing good character in various parts.

Three horizons have been marked on the seismic sections i.e Kirthar Formation, Dunghan
Formation, and Pab sandstone. There is only one fault in these formations that is marked and
named as F1 where the hanging wall moves up along the fault plane under the action of the
stresses, oriented eastward, and as a result a large north–south oriented and eastward verging
thrusted anticline called Zamzama thrust fault has formed.
Figure 3. 3 Seismic line HPK96A-07
Figure 3. 4 Seismic line HPK96A-08
Figure 3. 5 Seismic line HPK98A-30
Figure 3. 6 Seismic line HPK98A-32
Figure 3. 7 Seismic line HPK98A-34
3.10. Contour maps
Contour map separate the higher values from the lower values. The same values join
together by a line. Contour lines cannot cross cut each other. Contour maps represent the three-
dimensional Earth surface into two-dimensional surface. It also helps us to determine the slope
and dip of underlying structure, and also faulting and folding can be revealed. Kingdom suit
software was used to generate the contour maps.

3.10.1. Time contour map

Time contour map represents the contour lines which shows the same time values. The
time of each horizon have been picked from seismic section. Contour map of Kirthar, Dungan
and Pab has been prepared.

Time contour maps of these formations have been generated on Kingdom software by
using the time values of horizons against the X-Y coordinates
 NN

X/Y:
X/Y: 356200
356200 371200
371200
Meters
Meters

GHPK96-08EX
<1.150

GHPK96-08EX
<1.150
1.150
1.150
2700
2700 1.180
1.180
GHPK98A-30
GHPK98A-30 GHPK98A-30 1.210
GHPK98A-30 1.210

1000

1100
1.240

1200

1300
1000

1100
1.240

1200

1300
1 1
1
1.270

1 1
1.270

1
1.300
1.300
1.330
1.330
2600 GHPK96-07
GHPK96-07
2600 1.360
1.360

1400
1400
1.390

1300
1.390

1300
1.420
1.420
1.450
1.450
1.480
1006

1100

1200
1.480

1300
1006

1100

1200

1300
0.
0.

1.510
1.510
GHPK98A-32
GHPK98A-32 2500 GHPK98A-32
2500 GHPK98A-32 1.540
1.540
2973400
2973400 2973400
2973400 1.570
1.570
1.600
1.600
1000

1100

1200

1300
1000

1100

1200

1300
1.630
1.630
Zamzama
ZamzamaNorth-01
North-01
GHPK98A-34
GHPK98A-34 1.660
1.660
GHPK98A-34
GHPK98A-34
1.690
1.690
2400
2400 1.720
1.720
1.750
1.750
1.780
1.780
1.810
1.810
1.840
1.840
>1.840
>1.840
2300
2300
2.1
2.1

Scale
Scale==1:67660
1:67660
00 700
700 1400
14002100
21002800
28003500
3500mm

356200
356200 2200
2200
371200
371200
GHG
GHG
PK
PK
H9
H9
P6
P
K

Figure 3. 8 Time contour map of kirthar formation

-0
6K
98
-0
6E
98
-0
6E
-0
X8
X
8

2100
2100

2000
2000
 NN

X/Y:
X/Y: 372200
372200
Meters
Meters

<1.600
<1.600
1.600
1.600
1.650
1.650

GHPK96-08EX
GHPK96-08EX
1.700
1.700
2700
2700
33..22
GHPK98A-30
GHPK98A-30 GHPK98A-30 1.750
1.750
GHPK98A-30
1000

1100

1200

1300
1000

1100

1200

1300
1.800
1.800
2600
2600 GHPK96-07
GHPK96-07 1.850
1.850

1400
1400
1300
1300
1.900
1000

1100

1200

1300
1.900
1000

1100

1200

1300
GHPK98A-32 2500 1.950
1.950
GHPK98A-32 2500 GHPK98A-32
GHPK98A-32
2973400 2973400
1000

2973400 2973400
1100

1200

1300
1000

1100

1200

1300
2.000
2.000
Zamzama
ZamzamaNorth-01
North-01

00
GHPK98A-34
GHPK98A-34 GHPK98A-34
GHPK98A-34 2.050
2.050
2400
2400
2.100
2.100
2.150
2.150
2300
2300 2.200
2.200
GHPK96-08EX
GHPK96-08EX

2.250
2.250

2200
2200 2.300
2.300
2.350
2.350
2.400
2.400
2.450
2.450
2.500
2.500
2.550
2.550
Scale
Scale == 1:150000
1:150000 >2.550
>2.550
00 2000
2000 4000
4000 6000
6000 8000
8000 10000
10000 m
m

372200
372200

Figure 3. 9 Time contour map of dungan formation

 NN

GHPK96-08EX
X/Y:

GHPK96-08EX
X/Y: 372200
Meters 372200
Meters

2700
2700

GHPK98A-30
GHPK98A-30 GHPK98A-30
GHPK98A-30

1000

1100

1200

1300
1000

1100

1200

1300
<1.850
<1.850
1.850
1.850
1.875
1.875
1.900
1.900
1.925
1.925
2600 GHPK96-07
GHPK96-07
2600 1.950
1.950

1400
1400
1.975

1300
1.975

1300
2.000
2.000
2.025
2.025
2.050
2.050
2.075
2.075
2.100
2.100
2.125
2.125
1000

1100

1200
1000

1300
1100

1200
2.150

1300
2.150
GHPK98A-32 2.175
2.175
GHPK98A-32 2500
2500 GHPK98A-32
GHPK98A-32 2.200
2.200
2.225
2.225
2973400
2973400 2973400
2973400 2.250
2.250
2.275
2.275
2.300
2.300
1000

1100

1200
2.325
1000

1300
1100

1200
2.325

1300
Zamzama
ZamzamaNorth-01
North-01 2.350
GHPK98A-34 2.350
GHPK98A-34 GHPK98A-34 2.375
GHPK98A-34 2.375
2.400
2.400
2400 2.425
2.425
2400
2.450
2.450
2.475
2.475
2.500
2.500
2.525
2.525
2.550
2.550
>2.550
>2.550

Scale
Scale==1:50000
1:50000
2300 2300
00 600
600 1200
1200 1800
1800 2400
2400 3000
3000mm

372200
372200

Figure 3. 10 Time contour map of pab sandstone

2200
2200
GHPK96-08EX
GHPK96-08EX

3.10.2. Depth contour map

The depth of the formation is determined and contoured as the closeness of these
contours indicates the rapid variation in either time or depth while the larger spacing between
contours shows less variation.

To compute the values of depth on each short point, single velocity analysis has been
performed by using the velocity windows of control line. Using formula s = (v*t)/2, values of
depth have been computed

Depth contour maps of the formations have been generated on Kingdom software by
using the depth values against the X-Y coordinates
 NN

X/Y:
X/Y:

GHPK96-08EX
372200

GHPK96-08EX
Meters 372200
Meters

.0 5
2700

.0 5
2700

GHPK98A-30
GHPK98A-30 GHPK98A-30
GHPK98A-30
1000

1100

1200
1000

1300
1100

1200

1300
<1650.000
<1650.000
1650.000
1650.000
1700.000
1700.000
1750.000
1750.000
2600 GHPK96-07
GHPK96-07
2600
1800.000
1800.000

1400
1400
1300
1850.000
1300
1850.000
1900.000
1900.000
1950.000
1950.000
2000.000
2000.000
2050.000
2050.000
1000

1100

1200
1000

1300
1100

1200

1300

2100.000
2100.000
GHPK98A-32
GHPK98A-32 2500
2500 GHPK98A-32
GHPK98A-32 2150.000
2150.000
2200.000
2973400
2973400 2973400
2973400 2200.000
2250.000
2250.000
2300.000
2300.000
1000

1100

1200
1000

1300
1100

2350.000
1200

1300

2350.000
Zamzama
ZamzamaNorth-01
North-01
GHPK98A-34
GHPK98A-34 2400.000
GHPK98A-34
GHPK98A-34 2400.000
2450.000
2450.000
2400
2400 2500.000
2500.000
2550.000
2550.000
2600.000
2600.000
2650.000
2650.000
>2650.000
>2650.000
0
0

2300
Scale
Scale==1:50000
1:50000 2300

00 600
600 1200
1200 1800
1800 2400
2400 3000
3000mm

372200
372200

Figure 3. 11 Depth contour map of kirthar formation

2200
2200
GHPK96-08EX
GHPK96-08EX
 NN

X/Y:
X/Y: 372200
372200
Meters
Meters

GHPK96-08EX
GHPK96-08EX
2700
2700

GHPK98A-30
GHPK98A-30 GHPK98A-30 <2350.000
GHPK98A-30 <2350.000

1000

1100

1200
2350.000

1300
1000

1100

1200
2350.000

1300
2400.000
2400.000
2450.000
2450.000
2500.000
2500.000
2550.000
2550.000
2600.000
2600.000
2650.000
GHPK96-07 2650.000
2600 GHPK96-07 2700.000
2600 2700.000
2750.000

1400
2750.000

1400
1300
1300
2800.000

0
2800.000

0
2850.000

.
2850.000

.
2900.000
2900.000
2950.000
2950.000
3000.000
3000.000
3050.000
3050.000
3100.000
1000

3100.000

1100

1200

1300
1000

1100

1200

1300
3150.000
3150.000
GHPK98A-32 2500 3200.000
GHPK98A-32 2500 GHPK98A-32 3200.000
GHPK98A-32 3250.000
3250.000
3300.000
2973400 2973400 3300.000
2973400 2973400 3350.000
3350.000
3400.000
3400.000
3450.000
3450.000
3500.000
1000

1100

1200
3500.000

1300
1000

1100

1200

1300
Zamzama 3550.000
GHPK98A-34 ZamzamaNorth-01
North-01 3550.000
3600.000
GHPK98A-34 GHPK98A-34 3600.000
GHPK98A-34
3650.000
3650.000
3700.000
3700.000
2400 3750.000
2400 3750.000
3800.000
3800.000
3850.000
3850.000
>3850.000
>3850.000

Scale
Scale==1:50000
1:50000
00 600
600 1200
1200 1800
1800 2400
2400 3000
3000mm
2300
2300
372200
372200

Figure 3. 12 Depth map of dungan formation

2200
2200
GHPK96-08EX
GHPK96-08EX
 NN

GHPK96-08EX
GHPK96-08EX
X/Y:
X/Y: 372200
372200
Meters
Meters
2700
2700

GHPK98A-30
GHPK98A-30 GHPK98A-30
GHPK98A-30

1000

1100

1200
1000

1300
1100

1200

1300
<3000.000
<3000.000
3000.000
3000.000
3050.000

0
3050.000

0
2600 GHPK96-07 3100.000
3100.000
2600 GHPK96-07
3150.000

1400
3150.000

1400
1300
1300
3200.000
3200.000
3250.000
3250.000
3300.000
3300.000
3350.000
3350.000
3400.000
3400.000
1000

1100

1200
1000

1300
1100
3450.000

1200

1300
3450.000
GHPK98A-32
GHPK98A-32 2500 3500.000
2500 GHPK98A-32
GHPK98A-32 3500.000
3550.000
3550.000
2973400
2973400 2973400
2973400 3600.000
3600.000
.
.

3650.000
3650.000

0
0
3700.000
3700.000
1000

1100

1200
1000

1300
1100

1200

1300
3750.000
Zamzama
ZamzamaNorth-01
North-01
3750.000
GHPK98A-34
GHPK98A-34 3800.000
GHPK98A-34
GHPK98A-34 3800.000
3850.000
3850.000
2400
2400 3900.000
3900.000
3950.000
3950.000
4000.000
4000.000
4050.000
4050.000
4100.000
4100.000
>4100.000
>4100.000

2300
2300
Scale
Scale==1:50000
1:50000
00 600
600 1200
1200 1800
1800 2400
2400 3000
3000mm

372200
372200

Figure 3. 13 Depth map of Pab sandstone

2200
2200
GHPK96-08EX
GHPK96-08EX