Abstract:

Seismic prospecting for oil and gas exploration and development is limited by seismic data resolution. Improving the accuracy of quantitative interpretation of seismic data in thin layers, thereby identifying effective reservoirs and delineating favorable areas, is often a key factor for successful exploration and development. Historically, the limit of seismic resolution is usually assumed to be about ¼ wavelength of the dominant frequency of the data in the formation of interest. After years of continuous research and testing, this assumed resolution limit of traditional seismic model has been broken, and a series of high-resolution quantitative interpretation methods and techniques have been developed. Case studies in carbonates, clastics, and unconventional reservoirs indicate that the application of quantitative interpretation techniques such as high-resolution seismic frequency and phase attribute analysis has produced remarkable results. Band recovery using high resolution seismic processing technology can greatly improve ability to recognize geological details such as thin layers, faults, and karst caves. Multi-scale fault detection technology can effectively detect small-scale faults in addition to more readily recognized large-scale faults. Based on the traditional seismic amplitude information, high-resolution spectral decomposition and phase decomposition technology expands seismic attribute analysis to the frequency and phase dimensions, boosting the seismic geological information content and reflecting subsurface geological characteristics and hydrocarbon potential, improve the reliability of seismic interpretation, and reduce the non-uniqueness of geological models. These technologies, based on high-resolution quantitative interpretation techniques, make the identification of effective reservoirs more efficient and accurate.

Key words: high-resolution seismic, spectral decomposition, phase decomposition, band recovery high resolution enhancement, multi-scale fault detection