Title: Seismic Evaluation of Hydrocarbon Saturation in Deep-Water Reservoirs

Abstract

During this last period of the ''Seismic Evaluation of Hydrocarbon Saturation in Deep-Water Reservoirs'' project (Grant/Cooperative Agreement DE-FC26-02NT15342), we finalized integration of rock physics, well log analysis, seismic processing, and forward modeling techniques. Most of the last quarter was spent combining the results from the principal investigators and come to some final conclusions about the project. Also much of the effort was directed towards technology transfer through the Direct Hydrocarbon Indicators mini-symposium at UH and through publications. As a result we have: (1) Tested a new method to directly invert reservoir properties, water saturation, Sw, and porosity from seismic AVO attributes; (2) Constrained the seismic response based on fluid and rock property correlations; (3) Reprocessed seismic data from Ursa field; (4) Compared thin layer property distributions and averaging on AVO response; (5) Related pressures and sorting effects on porosity and their influence on DHI's; (6) Examined and compared gas saturation effects for deep and shallow reservoirs; (7) Performed forward modeling using geobodies from deepwater outcrops; (8) Documented velocities for deepwater sediments; (9) Continued incorporating outcrop descriptive models in seismic forward models; (10) Held an open DHI symposium to present the final results of the project; (11) Relations between Sw, porosity,more » and AVO attributes; (12) Models of Complex, Layered Reservoirs; and (14) Technology transfer Several factors can contribute to limit our ability to extract accurate hydrocarbon saturations in deep water environments. Rock and fluid properties are one factor, since, for example, hydrocarbon properties will be considerably different with great depths (high pressure) when compared to shallow properties. Significant over pressure, on the other hand will make the rocks behave as if they were shallower. In addition to the physical properties, the scale and tuning will alter our hydrocarbon indicators. Gas saturated reservoirs change reflection amplitudes significantly. The goal for the final project period was to systematically combine and document these various effects for use in deep water exploration and transfer this knowledge as clearly and effectively as possible.« less

Authors:

Michael Batzle

Publication Date:

Sun Apr 30 00:00:00 EDT 2006

Research Org.:

Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

898116

DOE Contract Number:

FC26-02NT15342

Resource Type:

Technical Report

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

02 PETROLEUM; 03 NATURAL GAS; GAS SATURATION; HYDROCARBONS; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; POROSITY; WATER SATURATION; OFFSHORE SITES; ROCK MECHANICS; SEISMIC SURVEYS; OIL SATURATION; EXPLORATION