SEISMIC STRATIGRAPHY AND DEPOSITIONAL FACIES MODELS

The 2e of Seismic Stratigraphy and Depositional Facies Models summarizes basic seismic interpretation techniques and demonstrates the benefits of integrated reservoir studies for hydrocarbon exploration. Topics are presented from a practical point of view and are supported by well-illustrated case histories. The reader is taken from a basic level to more advanced study techniques. The presented modern geophysical techniques allow more accurate prediction of the changes in subsurface geology. Dynamics of sedimentary environments are discussed their relation to global controling factors, and a link is made to high-resolution sequence stratigraphy.

The interest in seismic stratigraphic techniques to interpret reflection datasets is well established. The advent of sophisticated subsurface reservoir studies and 4D monitoring for optimizing the hydrocarbon production in existing fields demonstrate the importance of the 3D seismic methodology. The added value of reflection seismics to the petroleum industry has clearly been proven over the last few decades. Seismic profiles and 3D cubes form a vast and robust data source to unravel the structure of the subsurface. Larger offsets and velocity anisotropy effects give access to more details on reservoir flow properties like fracture density, porosity and permeability distribution. Elastic inversion and modeling may tell something about the change in petrophysical parameters. Seismic investigations provide a vital tool for the delineation of subtle hydrocarbon traps, and they are the basis for understanding the regional basin framework and the stratigraphic subdivision. Seismic stratigraphy combines two very different scales of observation: the seismic and well control. The systematic approach applied in seismic stratigraphy explains why many workers are using the principles to evaluate their seismic observations.