Some Criteria for

Reflection
Interpretation

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Reflection waves

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• Amount reflected (amplitude of
reflection) will depend on the relative
difference in physical properties across
the interface
1V1

2V2

1V1

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 – Reflection coefficient (RC)
1V1
2V2 - 1V1
RC = AI2 – AI1 2V2 + V1
1
AI2 + AI1
2V2

– Positive or negative (-1 to 1)

1V1

 Not all changes in lithology associated with change in AI.

Changes in fluid content in a single lithology can give rise to
reflections
 Different combinations of layers lithologies can have the same
RC, i.e. Seismic “non-unique”
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 Velocity (ft/s,
Rock Density (g/cm3)
(m/s))
Sandstone <17,000
(Unconsolidated) 2.1
(5,180)
Sandstone (Semi- 18,000
consolidated) 2.2
(5,490)
Sandstone 19,000
(Consolidated) 2.6
(5,790)
Shale 6,000 – 16,000
1.9 – 2.7
(1830 – 4880)
Limestone 21,000
2.6
(6,400)
Dolomite 23,000
2.8
(7,010)
Anhydrite 20,000
2.98
(6,100)
Halite 15,000
2.03
(4,575)
Coal 1,600
1.17 – 1.80
(490)
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 • (AI): velocity x density
– A range of AI values may characterize a single lithology
– Different lithologies may have same AI
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 Seismic Resolution
• Each interface produces a distinct reflection.
• If reflections are widely enough spaced, each
will be recognizable.
• Once reflections start to get closer, they start
to interfere with each other.
• At some point adjacent reflections could be so
close that they completely cancel each other
out.

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 High velocity Shale

Low velocity gas sand

High velocity Shale

Wedge Model
Use wedge model to investigate resolution •

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• When bed is thick
enough, reflections
from top and base of
gas sand are separate
and peak/trough
distance provides a
reliable indicator of
bed thickness

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• As bed thickness
decreases to ¼ ,
peak/trough distance
remains a reliable
indicator of bed
thickness, although
reflections from top
and base interfere

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• Below ¼  peak/trough distance no longer
changes, i.e. it is no longer an indicator of bed
thickness.
• The ¼  criterion defines the resolution of the
seismic data

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 Tuning thickness
• Beds of thicknesses ¼  are known as “seismic
thin beds”
• This thickness is called Tuning thickness
• Many reservoirs are seismic thin beds

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 Detectability & Resolution
• Note that beds less than ¼  still produce
reflections
• They can be “detected” even if they cannot be
“resolved”
• There is a subtle difference between
“detectability” and “resolution”
• Limit of detectability depends on signal-to-
noise ratio, etc.
– 1/16  sometimes used as a limit of detectability

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• Example 1:
V = 6,000 m/s
f = 40 Hz

  = 150 m
Tuning thickness = 150/4 = 37.5 m
Detectability = 150/16 ≈ 9.4 m

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• Example 2:
V = 3,600 m/s
f = 45 Hz

  = 80 m
Tuning thickness = 80/4 = 20 m
Detectability = 80/16 = 5 m

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2-D & 3-D Seismic
Interpretation

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 2-D SEISMIC WORKFLOW
4- Tie Well and Seismic Data
Use: Paleo, Lithology, Synthetics, VSPs, Tops,
etc .

5- Pick Horizons & Faults

1- Collection of data and reports (Loop tying)
Work preparation

2- Scan Records for polarity, static shifts, 6- Seismic Stratigraphic Analyses

etc.

3- Scan Through Sections

(Line by Line) Overview of Data Quality, 7- Structural Analyses
structure, Stratigraphy

8- Contouring/Mapping

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 PREP WORK

1- Collection of data and reports

Work preparation

2- Scan Records for polarity, static shifts,

etc.

3- Scan Through Sections

(Line by Line) Overview of Data Quality,
structure, Stratigraphy

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