Integration of seismic modeling and interpretation of real seismic data for the detection and characterization of carbonate stringers: example from Oman

Abstract

Abstract Carbonate stringers are well known geological targets in Oman due to their high estimated prospective resources and production rate, especially in the South Oman Salt Basin (SOSB). A carbonate stringer is defined as a slab of rock completely encased inside the salt body. In this study, we integrate seismic attribute analysis, structural interpretation, seismic modeling, inversion and analog fields to understand and delineate carbonate stringers from South Oman Salt Basin. We use a newly processed seismic data acquired over the area on which we carry out a thorough seismic attribute analysis to help us build a seismic model for the salt structures of the area. A major challenge we faced in the study is the lack of well data. We thus generate pseudo wells at some selected areas based on results from our attribute analysis, structural interpretation, and initial inversion results. The pseudo wells helped improve the seismic inversion and produce more accurate impedance models. The results from seismic inversion and from seismic attribute analysis inferred that some stringers that were difficult to see in seismic data are visible in impedance and some attributes. The conducted study not only increased the confidence related to identifying and characterizing carbonate stringers in the area, but also allowed us to propose some potential stringers for future drilling programs.

Keywords

• Carbonate stringers
• Seismic
• Impedance
• Inversion
• Modeling