From Conceptual Model to Static Model: A Novel Approach Integrating Seismic and Well Data Replicating Geological Concept into the Modeling Realm in a Basin Floor Fan System, Block 9, Offshore South Africa

Abstract

Replicating a geological concept from the mind of a geoscientist has been a fundamental objective in our industry since its birth. Understanding lithological and sedimentological processes and piecing together the sparse bits of available information to create a story, a valid story at that, has led to the continuous discovery of oil and gas. Data quality together with technological advancements has improved our ability to predict more accurately, but the original objective remains: to reconstruct a geological concept into a representative model. This paper elucidates a workflow carried out where well marker data is integrated with seismic amplitude data to generate the basis of (the container) of a 3D static model that accurately replicates the geological conceptual model. The depositional system is described as a fan complex, with an initial erosional phase forming an incised subaqueous channel, subsequently filled with backstepping and progradational mass flow episodes. A distinct seismic anomaly is visible over the channel area, and although it is adequate to delineate the edges of the system, the internal architecture (separation of each fan event) is beneath seismic resolution. An approach to integrate both seismic and well data was adopted; using a seismic attribute (Minimum Amplitude) map to outline the extent of the channel system with individual fans being defined in the wells using well markers based on biostratigraphy data. The result is a series of fan zones that matches the data and is commensurate with the idea of the geoscientist and the conceptual model.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90332 © 2018 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Cape Town, South Africa, November 4-11, 2018