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Subsurface Mapping Techniques

Structural geologists use seismic data to create subsurface structure maps that represent key geological features underground, such as faults, folds, and stratigraphic layers. They pick seismic reflectors in 3D to build accurate fault and horizon models. Structure contour maps are then generated from these 3D models to show the geometry and depth of the geological structures. The structure contour maps provide important information for reservoir modeling and volume calculations, though true 3D geological models are becoming more common.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
323 views14 pages

Subsurface Mapping Techniques

Structural geologists use seismic data to create subsurface structure maps that represent key geological features underground, such as faults, folds, and stratigraphic layers. They pick seismic reflectors in 3D to build accurate fault and horizon models. Structure contour maps are then generated from these 3D models to show the geometry and depth of the geological structures. The structure contour maps provide important information for reservoir modeling and volume calculations, though true 3D geological models are becoming more common.
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Oxford Structural Geology Seminar

structural geology network

Subsurface Mapping
Techniques
Subsurface Structural Mapping
Oxford Structural Geology Seminar

• Seismic interpreters spend


structural geology network

the majority of their time


making maps
• The industry maps capture a
variety of data, including
structural and stratigraphic
features such faults, folds,
unconformities, channel
systems etc
• Subsurface structure maps
are rarely like geological
maps, but rather are
topographic maps for a
chosen seismic event or
reflector
Basic Seismic Mapping
Oxford Structural Geology Seminar

• Learning to Pick Wiggles!


structural geology network

• ‘…to maximize the


geological information
from the seismic data
through careful structural
and stratigraphic
interpretation techniques,
routine use of attribute
and coherency mapping
tools and attention to
detail in the generation of
structural maps…’
• Use the spatial
arrangement of seismic • This is no longer done by
and well data to create hand, but via the use high-
accurate and reliable powered interpretative or
models of the subsurface graphic workstations that
rapidly access huge volumes
of 2D & 3D seismic data
Seismic Structural Interpretation
Oxford Structural Geology Seminar
structural geology network
Subsurface Structure Mapping
Oxford Structural Geology Seminar

• Structure contour maps are


structural geology network

a common way of
representing structural
geometry in the energy
Fault Gap or
Fault Polygon
industry
• Are often used in the past
as basis for a variety of
other important work
reservoir volume
calculations and reservoir
simulation modeling
• Starting to be superseded
by true 3D models,
N however maps are still
common communication
tools between geologists,
1 km
geophysicists and reservoir
C.I. = 50 m engineers
Fault Polygon Definition
Oxford Structural Geology Seminar

• Fault Cutoff Maps


structural geology network

Not just gaps in horizons 3D Interpretation


but the termination of
discrete surfaces in space
• Geometric definition
be as rigorous as possible
they are not easily
predictable, especially in
complex structural settings
 Plunging folds, salt diapirs
• Requires that all
structural surfaces are
mapped in 3D and
integrated with
stratigraphic surfaces Map Representation
The Mapping Process
Oxford Structural Geology Seminar

• Start with the faults and


structural geology network

think about how they


connect up in 3D
• Begin infilling with the
key stratigraphic surfaces
• Extend these to intersect
the mapped faults
• Interpolate the surfaces
over the entire area of
interest
Generate grids and
contour the gridded
surface
• Evaluate the integrity of
the resulting model
Does it make sense to
you? If not, why not?
Subsurface Structure Mapping
Oxford Structural Geology Seminar
structural geology network

FW Cut-off • Structure contour maps are


a common way of
representing structural
Fault Gap or geometry in the energy
Fault Polygon industry
• Are often used in the past
as basis for a variety of
other important work
reservoir volume calculations
and reservoir simulation
modeling
• Starting to be superseded
by true 3D models, however
N
maps are still a common
communication tools
1 km between geologists,
HW Cut-off geophysicists and reservoir
C.I. = 50 m engineers
Subsurface Structure Mapping
Oxford Structural Geology Seminar
structural geology network

Real Normal Fault Network

Resulting 3D
Structural Model

Structure Contour Map


Derived from 3D Model
Using An Interpretive Workstation
Oxford Structural Geology Seminar

• Immerse yourself in all of the data


structural geology network

• Rapidly explore the implications


of a variety of different structural
or stratigraphic interpretations
• Effectively integrate all other
available subsurface data (wells)

• Faster, therefore cheaper


• Better and more accurate, therefore,
less ‘risky’
• However, demands a high degree of
geological and geophysical
understanding to be more effective
Fault Polygon Continuity
Oxford Structural Geology Seminar

• Zig-Zagging Polygons
structural geology network

possible ‘over-linkage’ of
separate fault segments
assess the interpreted
length as a function of the
maximum displacement on
the fault surface

2
log displacement (km)

-2

-4

acceptable size
distribution
-6
-4 -2 0 2
log length (km)
Coherency
Oxford Structural Geology Seminar

• Quantitative measure of the


structural geology network

lateral continuity of seismic


events
• Actively enhances the imaging
of small discontinuities such
as faults, fractures, or channel
margins at or close to the
limit of seismic resolution
such features would be more or
less impossible to map using
traditional manual picking
techniques
• Excellent for defining lateral
extent of and linkage within
fault networks
Coherency Image
3D Visualization
Oxford Structural Geology Seminar
structural geology network

• ‘Slice & Dice’ the 3D


seismic volume in a
variety of different
orientations
in-line, cross-line and
time slices
horizon and fault slices
• Co-visualization of
multiple seismic
attributes
multi-volume rendering
and analysis
• Increasing use of auto-
tracking technologies
and smart ‘applets’ the
recognize geological
features

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