The Use of Seismic Technologies in Different Reserve Standards; Applications of 3-D Seismic and Micro-Seismic to the SEC, NI-51 and PRMS Reserve Catagories

Abstract

Use of seismic technology for estimating reserve volumes has been a continually evolving path which has not progressed at an even pace among different international standards. Currently the USA SEC guidance, the 2011 PRMS guidelines, and the Canadian COGEH NI-51-101 guidelines specify, to differing degrees, uses of seismic technology to estimate in-place hydrocarbon volumes. 3D volumes of seismic data, including various attribute analyses, are one common form of seismic technology widely used over large areas in both conventional and unconventional fields. Micro-seismic data is a 4D passive seismic method used on a limited areal scale to map detailed microseismic events triggered by the injection of stimulation fluids. While microseismic has been employed in conventional fields, its primary application has been to estimate the stimulated rock volume (SRV) in unconventional fields. Accepted practices and workflows for inclusion of seismic technologies in reserve and resource evaluations are demonstrated yet there are important differences depending on the standard under which the evaluation is being made. Guidelines and standards for determining the use in helping to define Proven, Probable and Possible reserve categories are not straightforward and are subject to misapplications. Similarities and differences between the SEC, the PRMS, and the NI-51 standards are documented and the applications of the best practices in the seismic work flow are detailed.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90259 ©2016 AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, June 19-22, 2016