The advantage of 3D visualization for 2D seismic interpretation

Abstract

When geoscientists think of visualization software and applications, the image of 3d seismic volumes usually comes to mind. Eastern Star Gas and Seismic Micro-Technology (SMT) have used SMT?s visualization and interpretation software to assist in the process of interpreting faults and horizons on 2d seismic data. The interpretation workflow used on this project is also summarized. A rigorous technical investigation has been applied to this seismic project using SMT?s software, which contains all of the functionality described in this paper. The data used for this study is the Whalan Creek Seismic Survey acquired in Petroleum Exploration Licence No. 6 (PEL 6), located in the Surat/Bowen Basin in New South Wales. Seismic lines that tied 3 wells within the survey area were initially interpreted and synthetics were generated to understand and correlate the relationship between the well and seismic data. A total of 10 wells in PEL 6 and additional wells within the Surat/Bowen Basin were used in the interpretation. Aeromagnetic and gravity data were also used to develop a better understanding of the regional setting. The interpretation of the Whalan Creek Seismic Survey follows a workflow that initially examines the seismic lines in a three-dimensional perspective to determine the mistie analysis needed. Well synthetics were generated and the geological interpretation from the wells was integrated with the interpretation of the seismic lines. Various seismic attributes, seismic models, and geological attributes were investigated along each of the seismic lines to examine the relationships between the geophysical and geological interpretations and to validate the final interpretations.