Exploring for stratigraphic traps in the Patchawarra Formation, Cooper Basin: an integrated seismic methodology
Alexandra BennettBeach Energy, 25 Conyngham Street, Glenside, SA 5065. Email: alexandra.bennett@beachenergy.com.au
The APPEA Journal 58(2) 779-783 https://doi.org/10.1071/AJ17089
Accepted: 13 March 2018 Published: 28 May 2018
Abstract
The Patchawarra Formation is characterised by Permian aged fluvial sediments. The conventional hydrocarbon play lies within fluvial sandstones, attributed to point bar deposits and splays, that are typically overlain by floodbank deposits of shales, mudstones and coals. The nature of the deposition of these sands has resulted in the discovery of stratigraphic traps across the Western Flank of the Cooper Basin, South Australia. Various seismic techniques are being used to search for and identify these traps.
High seismic reflectivity of the coals with the low reflectivity of the relatively thin sands, often below seismic resolution, masks a reservoir response. These factors, combined with complex geometry of these reservoirs, prove a difficult play to image and interpret. Standard seismic interpretation has proven challenging when attempting to map fluvial sands. Active project examples within a 196 km2 3D seismic survey detail an evolving seismic interpretation methodology, which is being used to improve the delineation of potential stratigraphic traps. This involves an integration of seismic processing, package mapping, seismic attributes and imaging techniques.
The integrated seismic interpretation methodology has proven to be a successful approach in the discovery of stratigraphic and structural-stratigraphic combination traps in parts of the Cooper Basin and is being used to extend the play northwards into the 3D seismic area discussed.
Keywords: attribute, channel, coal, fluvial, processing, seismic interpretation, stratigraphic trap, thickness.
Alexandra (Ally) Bennett graduated from the University of Adelaide, Australian School of Petroleum, in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Petroleum Geology and Geophysics. Alexandra was awarded a first-class thesis in 2011, studying channel morphology of the Toolachee Formation, Cooper Basin. She joined Beach Energy as a graduate in 2012, working the Jurassic oil play in the Cooper Oil team. She is currently a geophysicist in the Gas Exploration team, focusing on interpretation of stratigraphic traps in the Patchawarra Formation, Cooper Basin. |
References
Alexander, E. M., Gravestock, D. I., Cubitt, C., and Chaney, A. (1998). Lithostratigraphy and environments of deposition. In ‘Petroleum Geology of South Australia Volume 4: Cooper Basin’. (Eds D.I. Gravestock, J. Hibburt and J.F. Drexel.) pp. 69–116. (Petroleum Group, Primary Industries and Resources: SA).Gravestock, D. I., Hibburt, J. E., and Drexel, J. F. (1998). Petroleum Geology of South Australia. Volume 4: Cooper Basin. (Petroleum Group, Primary Industries and Resources: SA).
Lang, S. C., Kassan, J., Benson, J. M., Grasso, C. A., Hicks, T., Hall, N., and Avenell, L. C. (2002). Reservoir Characterisation of Fluvial, Lacustrine and Deltaic Successions – Applications of Modern and Ancient Geological Analogues. In ‘Proceedings of the 28th Annual IPA Convention and Exhibition, Volume 1.’ pp. 557–580. (Indonesian Petroleum Association: Jakarta)
Qi, C., and Hilterman, F. (2017). Well ties for seismic with severe stratigraphic filtering. Geophysics 82, IM31–IM39.
| Well ties for seismic with severe stratigraphic filtering.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Smith, M., Perry, G., Stein, J., Bertrand, A., and Yu, G. (2008). Extending seismic bandwidth using the continuous wavelet transform. First Break 26, 97–102.
Strong, P. C., Wood, G. R., Lang, S. C., Jollands, A., Karalaus, E., and Kassan, J. (2002). High Resolution Palaeogeographic Mapping of the Fluvial-Lacustrine Patchawarra Formation in the Cooper Basin, South Australia. The APPEA Journal 42, 65–80.
| High Resolution Palaeogeographic Mapping of the Fluvial-Lacustrine Patchawarra Formation in the Cooper Basin, South Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Webb, C. (2015). Seismic and well interpretation of fluvial clastic and coal packages for stratigraphic traps within the Patchawarra Formation, Cooper Basin. Eastern Australian Basins Symposium 2015, pp. 29–44. Available at: https://www.pesa.com.au/library/eastern_australian_basins_symposium_2015_p29-44-pdf/ [verified 19 March 2018].
Widess, M. B. (1973). How thin is a thin bed? Geophysics 38, 1176–1180.
| How thin is a thin bed?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
