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Porosity and Permeability Estimation Using Acoustic Impedance Inversion

and Instantaneous Q Method in “Barokah” Field, Baturaja Formation, South
Sumatera Basin

Conference Paper · May 2017

DOI: 10.29118/IPA.50.17.235.SG

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 IPA17-235-SG

PROCEEDINGS, INDONESIAN PETROLEUM ASSOCIATION

Forty-First Annual Convention & Exhibition, May 2017

POROSITY AND PERMEABILITY ESTIMATION USING ACOUSTIC IMPEDANCE

INVERSION AND INSTANTANEOUS Q METHOD IN “BAROKAH” FIELD, BATURAJA
FORMATION, SOUTH SUMATERA BASIN

Diva Alfiansyah*
Sulistyo Oetomo Putro*
Sismanto*
Fatkhul Mu’in**

ABSTRACT
“Barokah” Field, South Sumatera Basin is an
exploration field containing four wells. Based on
logging and drill stem test data, three wells in the
southwest study area contain oil and gas from a
limestone reservoir of the Baturaja Formation.
Acoustic impedance inversion, porosity, and
permeability estimation are needed to map the
reservoir distribution and determine the
hydrocarbon-bearing zone. Linear relationship
between acoustic impedance and porosity has been
used for porosity estimation. Permeability estimation
has been made by an instantaneous Q method based
on seismic data. The value of acoustic impedance in
hydrocarbon-bearing zones in the limestone
reservoir range between 11960 - 14040 (m/s)*(g/cc).
Porosity values range between 5.4 – 11.6 %. The
permeability value is about 20 - 40 mD. The range of
value of porosity is poor, but the range of value for
permeability is good based on classification in Table
1 (Koesoemadinata, 1980)' The value range of the
porosity is enough to hold gas while good
permeability values allow the gas to flow easily into
the reservoir. Based on the estimation results derived
from seismic inversion and instantaneous Q method,
there are three prospective zones of hydrocarbon.
The first is zone A located to the north of the PBG-1
well, the second is zone B to the northeast of the
PBG-1 well, and finally is zone C to the northeast of
the PBG-2 well.
Keywords: limestone, baturaja formation, seismic
inversion, acoustic impedance, porosity,
instantaneous Q method, permeability
INTRODUCTION
“Barokah” Field, South Sumatera Basin is an
exploration field containing four wells. Based on
logging and drill stem test (DST) results, three wells
in the southwest study area contain oil and gas from
a limestone reservoir of the Baturaja Formation.
Acoustic impedance inversion, porosity, and
permeability estimation are needed to map the
reservoir distribution and determine the
hydrocarbon-bearing zones. Porosity and
permeability properties are obtained from well log
analysis and core test data (Sismanto, 2013).
We acquire porosity and permeability values from
the well log analysis and core test location. The
correlation between acoustic impedance and porosity
value mathematically is linear. This is based on well
log data from cross plot analysis (Huuse and Faery,
2005). This correlation combined with the acoustic
impedance inversion method is used to map the
porosity estimation in seismic volume. Many
scientists generate some permeability estimation
equation from seismic data based on the close
relationship among reservoir parameter, elasticity,
and wave (Sismanto, 2013). Sismanto (2013)
suggested to use instantaneous Q method in order to
derive linear relationship between permeability and
seismic data..
GEOLOGICAL SETTING
“Barokah” Field in South Sumatera Basin contains
limestone reservoirs from the Baturaja Formation.
The Baturaja Formation as the main focus of this
research was formed during the Early Miocene,
Figure 1. Carbonate production resulted in limestone
deposition both on the platform margins of the basin
and as reefs on subtle intra-basinal highs, the
increase of sediment input from the north formed the
high quality reservoir in the south and exposure of
bioherms in the south and east has increased
secondary porosity (Ginger and Fielding, 2005).
Carbonate sedimentation continued until the middle
of Early Miocene, when the sea level fell and the
carbonate of Baturaja Formation was exposed and

* University of Gadjah Mada

** Pertamina Upstream Technology Center
leached (Nawawi, et.al, 1997). This formation will
be processed using acoustic impedance inversion and
instantaneous Q method to obtain porosity and
permeability value.
METHODS
Acoustic Impedance Inversion Method
Seismic inversion methods create geological models
using seismic data as input and log data as control
(Sukmono, 2000). The post stack inversion
technique that is used is model based inversion. This
technique compares the initial geological model with
seismic data (Russell, 1988). The model used is
derived from the interpolated blocks of low
frequency acoustic impedance log structurally
constrained with the horizon.
The mathematical relationship between the model
and seismic data can be calculated using the
Generalized Linear Inversion (GLI) (Russell, 1988).
GLI analyzes errors between the model with
observed data, then updating the model iteratively to
obtain the smallest errors. GLI equation is shown as,
∆ (1)
M0 is the initial model, M is the actual model of earth,
ΔM is the change of model parameter, F(M) is the
observed data, F(M0) is a calculated value of the
initial model, dan shows the change in the
calculated value (Sukmono, 2000).
Acoustic impedance (AI) can be obtained from the
inversion process and formulated by
(2)
where ρ is the density and V is the velocity of the
P wave, velocity being more influential on the
change of AI value than the density (Sukmono,
1999).
The relationship between the parameters of the
acoustic impedance and porosity can be derived
using cross-plot analysis techniques exemplified by
Husse and Faery (2005) in carbonate rocks, Figure 2.
The low acoustic impedance values correlate with
high porosity and both parameters can be described
using the linear regression equation. After we obtain
the porosity values from this relationship, we can
determine the quality of porosity values according to
Koesoemadinata (1980) porosity values
classification in hydrocarbon exploration as shown
in Table 1.
Instantaneous Q Method
Based on Sismanto, et al. (2007), a technique has
been developed to estimate the permeability using Q
method on synthetic seismograms using Turgut-
Yamamoto's equation applied in 3D seismic data.
Purwagandhi and Sismanto (2015) have used the
technique to estimate the permeability from 2D
seismic data in the Teapot Dome Field which
provides enough valid results using this method.
Q method is an approach to estimate the value of
permeability using seismic waves to calculate the
quality factor and the maximum dominant frequency
signal that is muted (Sismanto, 2013). Known as
instantaneous Q methods because of the use of
instantaneous seismic attributes. The formula of
instantaneous Q method is shown in equation (3).
(3)
Where Q is the quality factor that derived from
instantaneous quality factor attribute, frequency (ω)
is obtained from instantaneous frequency attribute,
viscosity (η) 1.0 x 10-6 (m2/s), the fluid density (ρf)
1.0 x 103 (kg/m3), the density of rocks (ρ), virtual
mass (m) and the permeability (kp). Before
performing the calculation using the equation above,
we need to determine the velocity in zero frequency
(V0) and high frequency based on the approach
of Geertsma and Smith (1961) as,
0 (4)
∞ (5)
The variables in the equation above using the
modulus of elasticity Biot calculated by Stoll (1974)
(6)
(7)
(8)

1 ∅ 1 (9)
The variables in the equation above are obtained
based on Turgut and Yamamoto (1990) approach
with Kr the bulk modulus of the material grains of
3.6 x 1010 (N/m2), Kf is the bulk modulus of the fluid
of 2.3 x 109 (N/m2) for porous sandstones. Kb is the
bulk modulus overall which is calculated by
(10)
where v is the poisson ratio and μ is the shear
modulus.
Instantaneous Q Method in equation (3) requires
input values such as the density of granules (ρr) 2.65
x 103 (kg/m3), the velocity of P wave of well log data
(m/s)and the velocity of the S wave that is derived
from the equation of Castagna, et al (1993) to
calculate the modulus of elasticity and porosity
values obtained from the estimated porosity in the
previous stage. Unit of permeability in this method is
m2, so we should convert to mD (milli Darcy) units.
The value of estimated permeability which has a
macro scale, is compared with the permeability of the
DST results which have a micro scale at the same
depth. When it is equal so the estimated value is
valid, if not equal then it should be calibrated using
the value of the permeability of DST results as
reference. To determine the quality of permeability
values, we can look at the permeability values
classification as shown in Table 1.
RESULTS
Acoustic Impedance Inversion Map
Based on the results of the acoustic impedance map
with slicing 20 ms below the Top Baturaja Formation
in Figure 4b, the value range of acoustic impedance
in Baturaja Formation is 10851-17507 (m/s)*(g/cc).
Acoustic impedance value at the edges cannot be
trusted because of the influence of fold coverage.
Low values around the well have a value range
11960-14040 (m/s)*(g/cc). The low value of acoustic
impedance indicate porous limestone reservoir rock
which is shown in a white circle.
Porosity Estimation
The calculation of the estimated porosity in this study
uses the cross plot equation of well log data between
total porosity log vs acoustic impedance log, shown
in Figure 3. The equation that is used is y (porosity)
= -0.00258334 x (acoustic impedance) + 41.644. The
produced map of porosity in Figure 4c, shows a range
porosity in the limestone reservoir of the Baturaja
Formation from 0 - 13.6%. The range of porosity
values between 12.2 to 13.6%, on the edge of the
study area can not be trusted, because the calculation
of estimated porosity is derived from the equation
that contains the value of the acoustic impedance.
Therefore, the zone as a potential reservoir rock is
only shown in a white circle with a range of porosity
values from 5.4 - 11.6%.
Permeability Estimation
The estimated value of permeability from initial
calculations did not indicate the range of DST
derived permeability, the calibration process is
carried out with reference to the DST permeability at
the same depth. Scale factor used for calibration is
0.01. The calibration results are shown in the
permeability map in Figure 4d, with a range of
permeability values of the limestone of Baturaja
Formation is 0-50 mD. As well as the acoustic
impedance map and porosity map, permeability
values at the edge of the study area with a range of
values 40-50 mD cannot be trusted because one of
the inputs of instantaneous Q method formulation
used for calculation of permeability estimation is
porosity. Areas that potentially can drain fluid are
shown in a white circle where permeability values
are 20-40 mD. Based on DST results, the reservoir
with this permeability range can pass the gas. .
Map Interpretation
Based on the value of the acoustic impedance,
porosity, and permeability, there are three
prospective zones (Figure 4) which have the same
value range. The range of acoustic impedance value
of those zone is 11960-14040 (m/s)*(g/cc). The
range of porosity values is from 5.4-11.6%. The
range of permeability values is about 20-40 mD.
According to Table 1, porosity value of these range
is poor and permeability values in these ranges is
good. The value of the acoustic impedance, porosity,
and permeability ranges outside the zone is
interpreted as tight limestones. Based on the results
of DST tests this shows the area has potential for gas.
The integration of the four maps discussed
previously (Figure 4) indicate the prospect of the
same zone shown in a white circles. Based on the
time structure map and the appearance of the fault,
zone A is located to the north of PBG-1 well and is a
horst. Horst could become the location of reservoir
formation and migration of hydrocarbons. Zone B is
located to the northeast of PBG-1 well as a basinal
high which has good porosity and permeability
compared to the surrounding area. Zone C is located
to the northeast of PBG-2 well and is a basinal high
which can also be a hydrocarbon trap. Gumai
formation above these prospect zones can be a seal
rock.
CONCLUSION
The range of acoustic impedance value of Baturaja
Formation is 10851-17507 (m/s)*(g/cc) with the
range values of reservoir prospect zones is 11960 -
14040 (m/s)*(g/cc). Reservoir porosity value in the
prospect zones ranged from 5.4 - 11.6%. Reservoir
permeability values in the prospect zone ranges
between 20 - 40 mD. There are three zones of
hydrocarbon prospects which are located in the north
and northeast of PBG-1 well (Zone A and B) and the
northeast of PBG-2 well (Zone C). Porosity and
permeability estimation using AI inversion and
instantaneous Q methods show good results with low
error values and the use of scaling factors.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors thank to Mr Suherman from Pertamina
Upstream Technology Center and Pertamina
Corporate University which approved the
implementation of the research, and Pertamina EP
which authorize the use of data for this research.
REFERENCES
Castagna, J., Batzle, M. & Kan, T., 1993. Rock
Physics - The link between rock properties and AVO
response, in Offset-Dependent Reflectivity Theory
and Practice of AVO Analysis. Investigation in
Geophysics, Volume 8, pp. 3-36.
Geertsma, J. & Smith, D., 1961. Geertsma, J., &
Smit, D. C. (1961). Some aspects of elastic wave
propagation in fluid-saturated porous solids.
Geophysics, 26(2), pp. 169-181.
Ginger, D. & Fielding, K., 2005. The Petroleum
Systems and Future Potential of The South Sumatra
Basin. Jakarta, Proceedings, Indonesian Petroleum
Association.
Huuse, M. & Faery, D., 2005. Seismic inversion
for acoustic impedance and porosity of Cenozoic
cool-water carbonates on the upper continental
slope of the Great Australian Bight. Marine
Geology, 215(3), pp. 123-134.
Koesomadinata, R., 1980. Geologi Minyak Bumi.
Bandung: ITB.
Nawawi, A., Suseno, A. & Heriyanto, N., 1997.
Petroleum Geology of Indonesian Basins: Principles
Methods and Application. Volume X South Sumatra
Basin ed. Jakarta: Pertamina BPPKA.
Purwagandhi, S. & Sismanto, 2015. Estimation of
Reservoir Permeability from Sismanto’s Equation
in 2D Seismic Data of Teapot Dome Field. Madrid,
77th EAGE Conference & Exhibition.
Russell, B., 1988. Introduction to seismic
inversion methods. S. N. Domm̌ ico ed. Tulsa:
Society of Exploration Geophysicists.
Sismanto, 2013. Fisika Batuan, Pendekatan
Estimasi Pemeabilitas dan Saturasi Air
Berbasiskan Data Seismik. Yogyakarta: Graha
Ilmu.
Sismanto, et al., 2007. A Simple Technique For
Estimation Permeability Which Includes
Absorption Effect of Synthetic Seismic Reflection
Data. Forum Teknik, 31(1), pp. 89-95.
Stoll, R., 1974. Acoustic waves in saturated
sediments. Physics of sound in marine sediments, pp.
19-39.
Sukmono, S., 1999. Interpretasi Seismik Refleksi.
Bandung: Geophysical Engineering, Bandung
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Sukmono, S., 2000. Seismik Inversi untuk
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 TABLE 1

THE CLASSIFICATION OF POROSITY AND PERMEABILITY ACCORDING TO

KOESOEMADINATA (1980)
Figure 1 - Regional Stratigraphy of South Sumatera Basin. The red block show Baturaja Formation (Ginger
and Fielding, 2005).
Figure 2 - The relationship between porosity and acoustic impedance of carbonates on the upper continental
slope of the Great Australian Bight at Site 1131. The plot was developed using unedited downhole
log data (sonic, density, and porosity logs) with 2803 data points. (Husse and Faery, 2005)
Figure 3 - The Cross Plot between porosity log and acoustic impedance log of Baturaja Formation from PBG-
1 well and PBG-2 well data.
 Figure 4 - The integration of four maps ; a) time structure map ; b) acoustic impedance map ; (c) porosity
map ; d) permeability map that show the hydrocarbon prospect zones in white circle. There are
three zones which located in the north and northeast of PBG-1 well (Zone A and B) and the
northeast of PBG-2 well (Zone C).

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