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7th Middle East Geosciences Conference and Exhibition
Manama, Bahrain
March 27-29, 2006
Fault
Plane
and Polygon Generation in a Large, Mixed 2D and 3D Seismic Data Set
1 Exploration Group, Kuwait Oil Company (K.S.C.), POBox 9758, Ahmadi, 61008, Kuwait, phone: +965
3989111 - 72309, fax: +965 3984397, [email protected]
2 Exploration, Kuwait Oil Company, P.O. Box: 9758, Code No. 61008, Ahmadi, KUWAIT, 61008, Kuwait
3 Kuwait Oil Company (K.S.C.)
4 Exploration, Chevron Kuwait, Ahmadi, Kuwait
Automated processes for generating spatially consistent fault
planes are available in a 3D seismic interpretation
environment - but not in 2D.
Automation of this process in a mixed 2D and 3D seismic environment was achieved by applying existing Landmark technology so that it became possible to simultaneously process some 450 assigned faults and 14 horizons interpreted on mixed 2D and 3D seismic data.
The maximum spatial extent of the 2D and 3D data sets was used to define a conventional 3D volume. Interpreted horizons
were imported into the empty 3D volume from respective original projects regardless of their 2D or 3D origin. Horizon
interpolation ensured seamless horizons between 2D and 3D data. Correlated and assigned fault
segments were imported
in an identical manner.
All interpretation data are thus defined by spatial coordinates in a common 3D data volume and can be processed using 3D applications.
All fault
segments are ‘Re-Ribbed' in the 3D domain. ‘Re-Ribbing' is run in both x and y directions separately to account for
faults sub-parallel to either ribbing direction. ‘Re-Ribbed'
fault
segments and seismic horizons are processed in ‘Surface
Tool' to calculate
fault
heaves and polygons.
Fault
polygons are generated for all selected horizons maintaining
fault
plane
integrity and polygon consistency among
horizons. Conventional gridding and contouring of interpreted horizons is performed incorporating
fault
polygons.
The method is an efficient tool that can be applied to any 2D / 2D-3D data for quick and accurate
fault
mapping across
numerous horizons, without compromising
fault
plane
integrity.