MPG 7206 Seismic Reservoir Characterization

Reservoir characterization is the process of preparing

a quantitative and qualitative representation of a reservoir
using data from a variety of sources and disciplines.

Kelkar defined “reservoir characterization” as “the process

of integrating various qualities and quantities of data in a
consistent manner to describe reservoir properties of
interest at inter-well locations”

All information collected at various scales in the reservoir

characterization process must be integrated into a single,
comprehensive, and consistent representation of the
reservoir.
Seismic Reservoir characterization (reservoir
geophysics) is the use of geophysical
methods to assist in delineating or describing a
reservoir or monitoring the changes in a reservoir as it
is produced.

Reservoir Geophysics is applied across a wide

spectrum of the oilfield life cycle from discovery and
early development to tertiary recovery.

Critical part: careful analysis and understanding of

petrophysical properties from well logs and core data
must be done.
Seismic Reservoir Characterization
Alternative definitions
Reservoir analysis / characterization is defined as a
process to describe qualitatively and/or
quantitatively the reservoir characteristics using all
the existing data.

Seismic reservoir analysis / characterization is

defined as a process to describe qualitatively and/or
quantitatively the reservoir characters using seismic
data as the main data.
Three parts of seismic reservoir characterization
process include :
1) delineation,
2) description and
3) reservoir monitoring.

➢ Reservoir delineation is defined as the

delineation of reservoir geometry, including
faults and facies changes which can affect the
reservoir production performance.

➢ Reservoir description is the process for defining

the reservoir physical properties such as the
porosity, permeability, water saturation, pore
fluid, e.t.c.
➢ Reservoir monitoring associates mainly with the
monitoring of reservoir physical properties
changes during the production of hydrocarbon
from the reservoir.

In general, reservoir characteristics are affected by

the following parameters (Kelkar, 1982) :

1. Distribution of grain size and pores.

2. Porosity and permeability of the reservoir.
3. Pore fluids.
4. Facies and environmental deposition distribution.
5. Description of the basin and reservoir body
A good reservoir characterization is key for the
success of reservoir management.

➢ Reservoir management is an economic

process to increase the value of the property.
The economic value of a reservoir increases
when the proven reserve increases or the
reservoir production rate increases.
Two major challenges for managing reservoir in the
21st century (Sheriff, 1992) :

1. Accurate and early characterization of reservoir

parameters including the volumetric, fluid
behavior, lithology and continuity.

2. Improving reservoir engineering treatment so that

the reservoir can be accurately monitored and
efficiently managed.
Typical problems in reservoir continuity delineation
Major Types of Data

Major data sets used in seismic reservoir

characterization are :

1) Well log data (Sonic and Density logs)

2) Seismic data
3) Reservoir data

Each data has strengths and weaknesses. Integrating

them is necessary to improve the strength and reduce
the weaknesses.
Main seismic methods used in reservoir characterization
are

1. Seismic stratigraphy and system-tract analysis :

reservoir delineation, correlation and classification.

2. Seismic inversion : reservoir delineation, correlation

and classification plus description.

3. Seismic attributes : delineation, correlation, physical

properties description and fluid identification.
4. AVO/AVA : physical properties description
and fluid analysis.

5. Rock physics and Fluid Substitution

6. 4-D Seismic : Time lapse Seismic reservoir

monitoring (Time lapse).
The critical link (Integration of Data)
• Rock Physics / Petrophysics
❖ Pore space properties
❖ Density of rocks
❖ Natural radioactivity of rocks
❖ Elastic properties
❖ Anelastic properties
❖ Electrical properties
Well logs
❖ Thermal & magnetic properties
❖ Correlations between properties
• Seismic methods Rock physics
❖ VSP
❖ Crosswell
❖ Single well
❖ Micro seismic monitoring
Seismic data
❖ Seismic while drilling
❖ Fracture monitoring
❖ Passive seismic
❖ 3D VSP
❖ VSP for engineering applications
Challenges:
• No one method will meet the need, therefore new & existing
technologies must be integrated to meet the need.

• To determine fluid distributions in the interwell space within

5 to 10 % error in accuracy
The scale issue
averaging geology
Seismic Signal Frequencies
 is averaging OK?

Why Seismic Characterization?

Many of the reservoir systems are complex

Benefits: Borehole Geophysics

• Better link between data – less uncertainty

• Resolve feature at sub- seismic scale

• Extend borehole detail into formation

• Find bypassed reserves

• Predict ahead of the drill – risk reduction

• Optimized field development

• Monitor production – operating cost

• Increase recovery rate

Borehole seismic –the critical link
Geophysics as a path finder
Seismic Waves

A wavelet
Reflection of Seismic Wave

The basic elements of the seismic reflection method a.Diagrammatic source wavelet,
b. Reflection and Refraction at an acoustic impedance boundary, c. Reflection geometry for a
horizontal reflector
 Polarity and Phase

Examples of Normal and Reverse Polarity for a. minimum and b. zero phase wavelets at an
acoustic impedance boundary with a positive reflection coefficient. Two common seismic
pulse types
Polarity and Phase
Use of polarity is merely a recording and display convention and
has no special significance on its own right.

SEG defines normal polarity:

1. A positive seismic signal produces a positive acoustic pressure on a
hydrophone in water or upward initial motion on a geophone on land.

2. A positive seismic signal is recorded as a negative number on a tape,

a negative deflection (downswing) on a monitor record and a trough (white) on
a seismic section

A reflecting boundary appears as a trough in a seismic trace if Z2 > Z1

A reflecting boundary to appear as a peak in the seismic trace if Z2 < Z1

Two common seismic- pulse types:

Minimum phase pulses: A minimum pulse has its energy concentrated at the
front and it is called front loaded with its onset at the acoustic impedance boundary

Zero phase pulses: A zero phase pulse consist of a central peak and two side lobes
of opposite sign and lesser amplitude
Scheme showing the minimum and zero phase wavelet
 What Are DHIs?
DHI = Direct Hydrocarbon Indicator

• Seismic DHI’s are anomalous seismic responses related to the presence

of hydrocarbons
• Acoustic impedance of a porous rock decreases as hydrocarbon replaces
brine in pore spaces of the rock, causing a seismic anomaly (DHI)
• There are a number of DHI signatures; we will look at a few common
ones:
– Amplitude anomaly
– Fluid contact reflection
– Fit to structural contours
Typical Impedance Depth Trends
In general: 5 10
IMPEDANCE x 103
15 20 25
3
• Oil sands are lower impedance
than water sands and shales 4 SHALE
OIL
SAND
• Gas sands are lower 5 Looking for
shallow gas

DEPTH x 103 FEET

impedance than oil sands
6

• The difference in the

7
impedance tends to decrease
with depth 8
Looking for
• The larger the impedance 9
deep oil

difference between the HC

sand and it’s encasing shale, 10
Data for Gulf Of Mexico Clastics
the greater the anomaly
 DHIs: Amplitude Anomalies
Anomalous amplitudes

Change in amplitude
along the reflector

Low High Amplitude

 DHIs: Fluid Contacts
Hydrocarbons are Thicker Reservoir

lighter than water

and tend to form flat
events at the gas/oil
contact and the Fluid contact
oil/water contact. event

Thinner Reservoir

Fluid contact
event
DHIs: Fit to Structure

Since hydrocarbons are

lighter than water, the
fluid contacts and
associated anomalous
seismic events are
generally flat in depth
and therefore conform
to structure, i.e., mimic
a contour line