Back to Top
Skip to main content
NETL Logo
Crosswell Seismic Amplitude-Versus-Offset for Detailed Imaging of Facies and Fluid Distribution Within Carbonate Oil Reservoirs
Project Number
DE-FC26-04NT15508
Goal

The project goal is to provide a methodology that will allow operators of oil reservoirs in carbonate reefs to better image the interior structure of those reservoirs and to identify those areas that contain the most oil remaining after initial production.

Performer(s)

Michigan Technological University, Houghton, MI 
Z-Seis Inc., Houston, TX

Background

Two tests were conducted to image producing reservoir reefs with a seismic source in one well and a string of receivers in another. In one case, the reef was in between the two wells, and in the other case, the wells were both contained within the reef. These reefs are similar to thousands of others from which a fraction of the oil in place has been recovered. High-resolution imaging of these reefs will enable operators to extract a higher percentage of the oil-in-place, without drilling additional wells.

Results 
This study provides a significant step forward in reservoir characterization by demonstrating that crosswell seismic imaging can be used over considerable distances to better define features within a reservoir and by showing that pre-stack characteristics of reflection events can be used to reduce ambiguity in determination of lithology and fluid content. Crosswell seismic imaging of the two reefs has provided data that is well beyond any that a reservoir engineer or development geologist has previously had for improved characterization and production.

Benefits 
This project will enable operators of reservoirs contained in carbonate reefs (a common type of reservoir in the United States) to use their existing boreholes to image the reservoir. This has the potential of increasing U.S. oil reserves by billions of barrels with no added environmental impact, because it makes use of existing boreholes.

Summary 
Crosswell seismic imaging has been tested in two fields in pinnacle reefs in northern Michigan. In this study, we conducted, in essence, three tests at two fields. The Springdale site included source and receiver wells outside of the reef. These wells penetrated to a much greater depth than the reef, so two experiments were conducted at once: imaging “from above” in which the seismic source and receiver locations were above the reflectors, and imaging “from beneath” with tool locations beneath the reflectors. The Coldspring site included source and receiver wells within the reef, providing much greater control over the seismic ties to well logs, in addition to gaining closer access to the target formation for imaging “from above”.

In summary, the technique of crosswell seismic imaging is demonstrated to provide extremely high-quality images of reservoirs that should be useful for reservoir management. Resolution is about 40x that of surface seismic (50Hz versus 2000Hz). The top surface of the reef can be mapped and the lateral extent of the reef is evident (for images that include it); dipping layers can be identified and mapped reliably. Internal features within the reef can be observed, and, after inversion, identified as high or low porosity. Although it was not practical to observe fluid contacts in these reservoirs, such features should be resolvable in other reservoirs, particularly where these contacts are not conformable with lithologic ones.

Current Status

(February 2008) 
This project has been completed

Funding 
The project was selected in response to DOE’s Oil and Gas Master Solicitation DE-PS-04NT15450, focus area Advanced Diagnostics and Imaging Technology. A 9-month extension was granted for year 2 of the project.

Project Start
Project End
DOE Contribution

$722,620 

Performer Contribution

$180,832 (20 percent of total)

Contact Information

NETL - Purna Halder (purna.halder@netl.doe.gov or 918-699-2083)
Michigan Tech - Wayne Pennington (Wayne@mtu.edu or 906-487-2531)

Publications 
Pennington, Wayne D., “The rapid rise of reservoir geophysics,” The Leading Edge, 24, S86-S91, 2005.

Trisch, S.P., “Crosswell Seismic Amplitude Variation with Angle Studies at a Niagaran Reef,” M.S. thesis, Michigan Technological University, 2006.

The processed crosswell seismic image is shown in color, with colors representing seismic velocities, and the overlay showing the seismic reflection traces as wiggles with positive values blackened. Note that the vertical axis is depth in feet, not time. The approximate outline of the reef is sketched in. Two seismic gathers displaying the amplitudes as a function of angle are shown—one (on the left) is for a region off-reef, as indicated by the vertical line, and the other is on-reef. Some specific events are highlighted by ovals showing profound AVA character. Note that the center of the reef appears to be an area of low-amplitude reflections, in this image using a very wide range of angles in stacking
The processed crosswell seismic image is shown in color, with colors representing seismic velocities, and the overlay showing the seismic reflection traces as wiggles with positive values blackened. Note that the vertical axis is depth in feet, not time. The approximate outline of the reef is sketched in. Two seismic gathers displaying the amplitudes as a function of angle are shown—one (on the left) is for a region off-reef, as indicated by the vertical line, and the other is on-reef. Some specific events are highlighted by ovals showing profound AVA character. Note that the center of the reef appears to be an area of low-amplitude reflections, in this image using a very wide range of angles in stacking
Six angle range stacks of the complete seismic section, illustrating the changing nature of reflectors with differing angles. Each image covers same depth range and all are approximately 1:1. Note that the deeper reflections are coherent and strong only at wide angles, where the rays have not passed through the center of the reef.
Six angle range stacks of the complete seismic section, illustrating the changing nature of reflectors with differing angles. Each image covers same depth range and all are approximately 1:1. Note that the deeper reflections are coherent and strong only at wide angles, where the rays have not passed through the center of the reef.
A sample of seismic data showing a "fan" of data collected by a receiver at a depth of 5,830 feet in one well, from sources at depths ranging from 4,140 feet to 5,950 feet in another well. The details seen in this (and hundreds of other fans) will, after processing, yield images of the interior of the oil-bearing reef.
A sample of seismic data showing a "fan" of data collected by a receiver at a depth of 5,830 feet in one well, from sources at depths ranging from 4,140 feet to 5,950 feet in another well. The details seen in this (and hundreds of other fans) will, after processing, yield images of the interior of the oil-bearing reef.