IPTC 11270
Multi-Azimuth 3D Provides Robust Improvements in Nile Delta Seismic Imaging
Jim Keggin, Mark Benson, Walter Rietveld, Ted Manning, Peter Cook, and Ed Jones BP, and Chris Page PGS
Copyright 2007, International Petroleum Technology Conference
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Abstract
Introduction
Since gas was first discovered in the Nile Delta in late 60’s,
most exploration programmes have focussed on shallow
Pliocene reservoirs, where gas can clearly be seen as bright
events on excellent quality seismic data and where exploration
success has been very high. The petroleum geology of the
deeper pre-Piocene section is fundamentally no different to
that seen in the Pliocene, where potential reservoirs consist of
sand prone channel systems originating from the Nile. Why
then, have we been deterred from exploring in the deeper
section? The problem is two fold:
shallow diffractions
W E
3
Complex multiples generated from shallow diffractions and Messinian layer
1. Deeper burial and harder rocks mean that reservoir
sands and hydrocarbons will be less visible on our
seismic data.
2. Pre-Pliocene seismic quality is highly variable and
often very poor. (Figure 1) Poor imaging being the
result of wavefield distortion though the Messinian
layer, attenuation and the presence of complex
multiple diffraction noise. These effects are
described in the paper.
Can multi-azimuth seismic help improve our pre-Pliocene
image?
Multi-azimuth and wide-azimuth seismic are not new
technologies; they have been with us for many years in the
form of land and ocean bottom cable surveys. The literature is
rich with examples of how high-fold multi-azimuth data can
produce stunning improvements over their single azimuth 3D
equivalents (e.g. Arntsen & Thompson, 2002. Gaus & Hegna,
2003. Rogno et. al. 1999.). We know from theory and case
histories that multi-azimuth data will give us improved signal
to noise, improved multiple attenuation and improved
illumination. In the Nile Delta, we see that the Multi-Azimuth
seismic method should address our two main problems of
uneven illumination and multiple diffraction noise.
Figure 1. Pre-Piolene data
Quality is highly variable
Messinian layer
2 IPTC 11270
The Raven six azimuth multi-azimuth development survey.
Encouraged by the results of an Egypt 2003 dual azimuth
survey, a 630 sq km six azimuth survey was acquired in late
2004. Operationally, the acquisition of MAZ data is very
straightforward and efficient. (Keggin et. al 2006). The
objective of the survey was to provide the ‘best possible’
seismic data quality over a pre-Messinian discovery for
appraisal and development purposes. The survey geometry
can be visualized as schematic CMP raypath diagrams –
Figure 2. In practice, the survey was acquired with 10 cables
at 100m spacing, so the azimuth sampling is less discrete than
the simple raypath picture suggests. Figure 3 shows the
offset-azimuth distribution plots for two situations; zero
feathering and as shot with streamer feather. Since the
migration process collects data from a surrounding volume of
input traces, the post migration MAZ offset azimuth
distribution should be considered more like Figure 3 than the
discrete representation seen in Figure 2.
Figure 2. Single, dual and six azimuth CMP
raypaths
Figure 3. Ten cable offset-azimuth
distributions, with and without feathering
Processing flow
The basic MAZ processing philosophy is very simple and has
many similarities to 4D processing. All six azimuths pass
through the same established processing flow with the same
smooth velocities for Kirchhoff pre-stack time imaging .
Residual trace alignment is then applied directly before stack.
(Manning et. al. 2006, Rietveld et. al. 2006)
Results and impact on field development
Dramatic improvements are seen in reservoir imaging, both
above and below the Messinian. Below the Messinian,
channel systems have been mapped in much more detail and
with more confidence. This has led to a greater understanding
of the architectural elements of the systems (Figure 4). This
feeds directly into static model descriptions of the reservoirs.
Acquisition of VSP (Vertical Seismic Profile) data has
provided excellent quality ties to the seismic data and allows
improved predictions of net pay from seismic. This in turn will
lead to a more efficient appraisal and drilling programme.
Figure 4. Improved lateral resolution, illumination and signal
to noise ratios allow better imaging of these channel systems
at a depth of over 5.5km. Details that are crucial to field
development decisions casn now be mapped with more
confidence
Lateral resolution improvements have already led to a re-
positioning of an appraisal well in order to avoid a ‘lineament’
hitherto unmapped on the single azimuth data (Figure 5).
Penetration at this location could, at best have meant difficult
correlation to the seismic and at worst involved re-drilling.
This alone has substantiated the seismic program. The
financial impact of these data is potentially enormous.
Improved images of the reservoir at an early stage in the field
development will impact the entire forward appraisal and
development program. An early imaging investment of $10s
million will help optimize and reduce the risk of a ~$billions
development program.
Single
Azimuth
Lineament
Six
Azimuths
Figure 5. Improved lateral resolution identified
a ‘lineament’ which led to the relocation of an
appraisal well.
IPTC 11270
Multi-Azimuth Exploration survey
The development survey described above was acquired to
better image channel systems that were already visible on
single azimuth data. How will the Multi Azimuth technique
perform in poorer data quality areas (e.g the west end of line
shown in Figure 1) where it is not possible to identify
exploration prospects based on conventional 3D data ? During
2006, two ‘difficult areas’ totaling around 2600sqkm were
covered with a mix of three and six azimuth MAZ data.
Although there is still more to be done with the processing of
these data and the interpretation is ongoing, the early results
are in line with what is expected – better illumination, better
signal to noise, better multiple attenuation and better lateral
resolution. (Figure 6). One of the benefits of the MAZ
technique is the opportunity to add incrementally to the
multiplicity of the data. In all the surveys described here, the
original vintage 3D survey was used as one of the contributing
azimuths. In the surveys where we now have a total of three
azimuths, we have the option of returning at a later stage to
acquire three more.
4s
5s
Figure 6. Onboard processed fast-track data. Better attenuation
of complex multiples together with better illumination provides a
much better image of this channel system
Conclusions
The resulting high fold images lived up to expectations and
the Multi Azimuth seismic technique is now a core part of BP
Egypt’s exploration and development strategy.
• Signal to noise was improved. In particular, multiple
diffraction noise was successfully attenuated.
• More even illumination was achieved. This resulted in
more reliable and detailed amplitude / attribute maps
with which we are able map pre-Messinian reservoir
systems with higher degrees of confidence. Reliable
attribute maps can now be extracted at depths of up
to 6km allowing us to identify and de-risk reservoir
systems that were less visible on the single azimuth
data.
• Increased lateral resolution is consistently seen on the
multi azimuth data.
• Acquisition and processing are operationally
straightforward and efficient.
• Multi-Azimuth stacking is at least as robust as
conventional single azimuth stacking. The method
does not rely on leading edge technology
development to provide improved images.
3
Whilst the Multi-Azimuth acquisition method is extremely
effective in the Nile Delta, we also recognize the potential of
other wide azimuth techniques. In shallow water and for
surveys around infrastructure, we are currently considering
OBC geometries as the optimum way of acquiring high quality
wide azimuth seismic data.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Ed Jones for his insight in
data quality and improvements, PGS for acquiring and
processing the data, and BP, RWE DEA and EGAS for
permission to publish these results .
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