3D Seismic Recognition of the Jurassic Smackover Reservoir of Grayson Field Using Leading Edge Reservoir Characterization Seismic Processing

K. B. Hill
Hill Geophysical Consulting, Shreveport, LA

The discovery well at Grayson Field was drilled on a four-way dip closure defined by only three 2D seismic lines. Investors were hoping to find a maximum of 25 feet of pay. After the discovery of 158 feet of pay in the Jurassic Smackover limestone in January 1993, the participants decided that a 3D seismic program was needed. The objective of the 3D seismic program was to define the structural and stratigraphic limits of the new field.

This paper compares the results of different processing techniques on the Grayson 3D seismic volume. Specific processing and interpretive tools available to the explorationist will be covered, illustrated with many different seismic displays. Evidence will be presented that 1) relative amplitude of the Smackover reflector does not define the reservoir’s stratigraphic parameters, 2) attributes of the Acoustic Impedance data (Inversion) shows good statistical correlation to key reservoir parameters, 3) reservoir characterization (petrophysical) data generated with the 3D seismic data delineates the production, and 4) A.V.O. shows a hydrocarbon indicator over the reservoir.

Through the use of this fully integrated sub-surface well information and 3D seismic data set, the thinner upper pay interval can be discerned from the thicker main pay. Results of recent drilling proves that the 3D seismic data expense was well worth the money.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90901©2001 GCAGS, Annual Meeting, Shreveport, Louisiana