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Subsurface Mapping
An A level teaching resource based on the
Eakring oil field, East Midlands, UK
1
Seismic Interpretation and
Subsurface Mapping
1. Introduction
2. Basic principles
3. Eakring exercise
4. Additional information
2
1. Introduction
Seismic interpretation and subsurface mapping are key skills that are used commonly in the oil industry
•
This teaching resource introduces the basic principles of seismic interpretation and then, if time permits, they can be applied
• in a practical exercise
3
2. Basic principles
• Seismic acquisition
• Seismic processing
• Understanding the data
• Seismic interpretation
4
Seismic acquisition offshore
An air gun towed behind the survey ship transmits sound
•
waves through the water column and into the subsurface
Changes in rock type or fluid content reflect the sound waves
•
towards the surface
Receivers towed behind the vessel record how long it takes
•
for the sound waves to return to the surface
Sound waves reflected by different boundaries arrive at
•
different times.
The same principles apply to onshore acquisition
•
5
Seismic acquisition onshore (1)
• Onshore seismic acquisition requires an energy input from a
“thumper” truck. Geophones arrayed in a line behind the truck
record the returning seismic signal.
Vibrator
Geophones (source)
(receivers)
Sub-horizontal
beds
Unconformity
Dipping beds
6
Seismic acquisition onshore (2)
• Seismic horizons represent changes in density and allow the
subsurface geology to be interpreted.
Lithology change
Angular
unconformity
Lithology change
7
Seismic processing
8
Wiggle trace to CDP gather
Wiggle CDP
traces gather
st
st
1 2
e
te
ow
Fas
So
Sl
u
nd
ed
re ave
wa
ct
ve
W
fle
in
First, gather sound data for Next, take all the sound Finally, place stacks for
one location and correct for traces for that one place adjacent locations side
delayed arrival (normal move and stack them on top of by side to produce a
out) each other seismic line 11
What is a reflector?
A seismic reflector is a boundary There are many
between beds with different reflectors on a seismic
properties. There may be a section. Major changes in
change of lithology or fluid fill properties usually produce
from Bed 1 to Bed 2. These strong, continuous
property changes cause some reflectors as shown by
sound waves to be reflected the arrow.
towards the surface.
energy signal
source receiver
In y
co ra
Bed 1 m d
in c te
g
ra ef le
lower velocity y R
higher velocity Re
frac
te d ra
y
Bed 2
12
Understanding the data
13
Common Depth Points
Common midpoint
above CDP
e
So
ed v
ct wa
un
reflector or the
fle d
wa
re un
halfway point when a
So
ve
wave travels from a
in
source to a reflector Change in lithology =
reflecting horizon
to a receiver’.
Common reflecting point or
common depth point (CDP)
14
Floating datum
The floating datum line represents travel time between the recording
surface and the zero line (generally sea level). This travel time depends
on rock type, how weathered the rock is, and other factors.
The topographic elevation is the height above sea level of the surface
along which the seismic data were acquired.
15
Two way time (TWT)
16
Time versus depth
• Two way time (TWT) does not equate directly to depth
• Depth of a specific reflector can be determined using boreholes
• For example, 926 m depth = 0.58 sec. TWT
288
1865
17
m
Seismic interpretation
Check line scale and orientation.
•
Work from the top of the section, where clarity is usually best, towards the
•
bottom.
18
Scale and orientation
first
second
third
20
Reflector character and geometry
Continuous
reflector
truncating
short ones
Next
continuous
reflector
Reflectors
onlapping
continuous
one
21
3. Eakring exercise
This exercise has been developed to illustrate, in practice, how subsurface
information can be integrated and used to predict where an oilfield may
occur. It builds on the principles outlined in the PowerPoint presentation
and can be completed by individuals or small teams according to the time
available or their level of enthusiasm.
The seismic lines and base map can be obtained from Dorothy Satterfield
(d.satterfield@derby.ac.uk) in a format that is suitable for photocopying on
A3 paper. You will also receive a CD that contains a copy of the entire
PowerPoint presentation that you can customise as you wish. This is free!
The aim is to interpret the seismic data and then produce a map that shows
the subsurface structure in the region of the Eakring oil field. Oil fields
typically form in simple dome-like structures in the subsurface. The
structure must enclose porous and permeable rocks that are capable of
containing oil and in this example there are a number of potential
reservoirs developed in the Namurian and Westphalian (Carboniferous)
sandstones. Oil is prevented from leaking to the surface by overlying
mudstones and coals which are impermeable.
22
Background information
24
Understanding the data (1)
25
Understanding the data (2)
For example, it is
not always possible
to transmit the
signal above pipes,
in sensitive areas
and above buildings
Signals from
farther away will
provide
information for
deeper horizons 26
Understanding the data (3)
0.5 seconds or
TWT is the time required
500 milliseconds
for the seismic wave to
travel from the source to
some point below the surface
and back up to the receiver.
1.0 seconds or
1000 milliseconds 27
Correlating well and seismic data
-0.2
-0.1
0.0
0.2
0.3
Potential
Blackshale Coal
0.4 reservoir
Blackshale
240 ms Coal
interval
240 ms
0.5
Two Way Time (TWT) in Seconds
Near Top
Dinantian
500 ms
29
1.0
Correlating reflectors
Continue this process around the ‘loops’ formed by lines 72 and 73,
ensuring that your interpretation is consistent and geologically
reasonable.
Repeat this process for the Blackshale Coal and Near Top
Dinantian reflectors, accepting that in some areas the data quality
is quite poor and a ‘best-guess’ interpretation is necessary.
30
Correlating the Base Permian unconformity
Eakring Village (projected)
Start by interpreting the Base Permian unconformity away from the well
on line 69.
Next fold line 70 at the intersection with line 69 and match them up. Find
and interpret the Base Permian unconformity.
31
Finally, unfold line 70 and finish the interpretation.
Plotting the Base Permian data
150
ms
150
ms
32
Mapping the Blackshale Coal
• Because the potential reservoir interval is poorly imaged (the
reflectors are weak and discontinuous) the closest and most
prominent reflector to map is the overlying Blackshale Coal.
33
Plotting data for the Blackshale Coal
250
250
250
250
280
210
34
Contouring the data
250
250
250
300
210
250
300
30
0
25
25
0
0
35
Interpreting the map
36
4. Additional information
• Specimen ‘answers’
• Extension activities
• Web-based resources
• Further reading
• Contact us
• Acknowledgements
37
Specimen ‘answers’
1. The Blackshale Coal dips gently towards the NE and reaches a high point
in the vicinity of the intersection of lines 69 and 70. Faults can be
extrapolated in a variety of ways in the SW part of the map to create a
potential trap.
2500
Depth (metres)
milliseconds (at CDP 540 on line 69), but
1500
• Account for the differences between the small oil fields in the
East Midlands and the much larger accumulation at Wytch Farm
in Dorset
39
Web-based resources (1)
http://www.ig.uit.no/webgeology/
40
Web-based resources (2)
http://www.oilandgas.org.uk/education/index.cfm
• More specifically, Oil and Gas UK, with the support of the Natural
History Museum, has produced online and paper versions of
Britain's Offshore Oil and Gas , which is an excellent introduction
to the history, science and technology of the UK oil industry.
http://www.oilandgas.org.uk/education/storyofoil/index.cfm
41
Web-based resources (3)
42
Web-based resources (4)
• It is a large (6MB) file that may take some time to open and
download
http://www.og.dti.gov.uk/UKpromote/geoscientific/
Onshore_petroleum_potential_2006.pdf
43
Web-based resources (5)
http://www.dukeswoodoilmuseum.co.uk/
44
Further reading
45
Contact us
Dr Dorothy Satterfield
Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences
University of Derby (FEHS)
Kedleston Road
Derby DE22 1GB
Email: d.satterfield@derby.ac.uk
Dr Martin J Whiteley
Barrisdale Limited
16 Amberley Gardens
Bedford MK40 3BT
Email: mjwhiteley@yahoo.co.uk
46
Acknowledgements
47