A case study on using AVO walkaway VSP data - Barrow Sub-basin, Western Australia

Abstract

In December 1999 the TL/1 JV partners acquired a 2D walkaway VSP survey in the Monty-2 well in the Barrow Sub-basin, Western Australia. The survey was designed to analyse AVO effects and possible later calibration of surface seismic data. The survey was recorded using CGG?s 12 level array tool, the SST-500, and comprised a total of 4 walkaway lines, with 2 azimuths at each of two array positions. Each of the 4 walkaway lines had a length of 6000 meters. Walkaway VSP data was acquired by positioning the array tool just above the two target reflectors, the North Rankin and the Mungaroo ``B' sandstone formations. The VSP data was processed using an `isotropic' sequence, which allowed for a perfect preservation of the amplitude and phase relationships between the three receiver components. AVO estimates were computed from the reflected P-wavefield after shaping deconvolution, derived from the down going P-wavefield. P-wave polarisation information was used to compute reflection angles at the target horizon and the local reflector dip. Finally, synthetic P-wave reflectivity curves were computed for the North Rankin and the Mungaroo ``B' sandstone formation and compared with the borehole seismic measurements. The AVO/AVA response at the top North Rankin reflection was found to be strongly affected by a thin overlaying carbonate layer. The best match between measured AVO curves and isotropic modeling therefore was found for a shale/carbonate model rather than a carbonate/sandstone model. In contrast, the AVO response of the Mungaroo ``B' reflection was found to be in very good agreement with isotropic modeling results.