Print this pageAAPG GEO 2010 Middle East
Geoscience Conference & Exhibition
Innovative Geoscience Solutions – Meeting Hydrocarbon Demand in Changing Times
March 7-10, 2010 – Manama, Bahrain
Structural Characterization of a Limestone Target Interval in Abu Dhabi Using Advanced Acquisition and Processing Techniques on a Challenging 
Seismic
Dataset
(1) Exploration, ADNOC, Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Recent advances in seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation techniques have had a significant impact on exploration and production. New methods have been tested and implemented in Abu Dhabi, to enhance the quality of subsurface imaging of an area with challenging topography, making it difficult to acquire a decent 3D seismic survey.
This paper discusses the utilization of new and optimized seismic acquisition, processing, reprocessing and interpretation methods and how it improved seismic imaging allowing reaching of projects goals and objectives.
One of the surveys was acquired in a transition zone area and innovative techniques were used to obtain good quality data. These techniques included an optimized source-receiver array, monitoring of the tidal slack periods and smaller source and receiver intervals. Apart from the conventional techniques for statics solution a horizon based method was also used along with reflection statics which resulted in better spatial continuity of the data sets. Details regarding the acquisition and processing of this survey are the subject of another paper by my colleague Mohamed Mahgoub.
The other survey comprises a number of vintage 2D seismic sections of different vintages. Because of the severe mismatches between the various vintages it was not possible to get an unambiguous structural interpretation of the prospect in that area. The seismic lines were reprocessed carefully allowing proper imaging of the relevant seismic reflectors.
The target reservoir intervals comprise a stack of carbonates with low impedance contrast. Attribute
analyses and advanced visualization techniques were utilized to detect facies distribution, structures and geological changes. Careful interpretation of the data significantly improved the understanding of the depositional sequences and potential charge history in the area. The confidence in the mapped prospects has increased significantly as a result of superior acquisition, processing and interpretation practices.