Conventional vs. high-resolution seismic simultaneous inversion and rock property characterization of the Olmos and Eagle Ford unconventional plays, South Texas

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dc.contributor.advisorCastagna, John P.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberMoriarty, Bruce J.
dc.contributor.committeeMemberStewart, Robert R.
dc.creatorPorfiri, Gisela 1983-
dc.date.accessioned2015-07-23T21:17:32Z
dc.date.available2015-07-23T21:17:32Z
dc.date.createdMay 2013
dc.date.issued2013-05
dc.date.updated2015-07-23T21:17:33Z
dc.description.abstractThe scope of this work consists of two main objectives. First, identify and characterize the hydrocarbon potential of the unconventional reservoir intervals of Olmos and Eagle Ford formations in South Texas using simultaneous seismic inversion technique. Second, compare seismic interpretation and simultaneous inversion results of the original vs. high-resolution seismic data. High-resolution seismic data result from the application of the spectral inversion method to the original pre-stack seismic data. This method inverts the frequency spectrum for layer thickness and enables the detection and resolution of thin beds below tuning thickness. Simultaneous inversion is one of the pre-stack seismic inversion processes in which three lithologic volumes (P-impedance, S-impedance and density) are created simultaneously. The Olmos original seismic data simultaneous inversion performed in this area lacked enough vertical resolution to image thin beds (~ 25-30 ft/ 7.6-9 m) within the Olmos productive zone. This shortcoming is improved with the incorporation of high-resolution seismic data. The P-impedance volume generated on the high-resolution data inversion allowed the identification of low impedance thin beds on the SW region of the study area. According to cumulative production values at the wells, the low P-impedance intervals can be highly correlated to high production values; therefore, low P-impedance zone recognition is very important for productive-prone zone identification. The Eagle Ford analysis is done on the P-impedance volume, and two low impedance intervals are recognized within the productive Lower Eagle Ford. High-resolution seismic data permitted the identification of additional reflectors that were below seismic resolution on the original data. Tuning thickness was improved from 120 ft/ 36.5 m on the original data to less than 60 ft/ 18.3 m on the high-resolution data. High-resolution seismic analysis enabled the interpretation of two additional interfaces within the Olmos productive zone and one additional interface within the Eagle Ford productive zone. On cross-plots, the productive zones were recognized within the Olmos tight sand and Eagle Ford shale due to their low density, low P-impedance, high S-wave velocity, and low incompressibility properties.
dc.description.departmentEarth and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of
dc.format.digitalOriginborn digital
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10657/942
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsThe author of this work is the copyright owner. UH Libraries and the Texas Digital Library have their permission to store and provide access to this work. Further transmission, reproduction, or presentation of this work is prohibited except with permission of the author(s).
dc.subjectOlmos
dc.subjectEagle Ford Shale
dc.subjectSimultaneous Inversion
dc.subjectPre-stack seismic data
dc.subjectHigh-resolution
dc.subjectP-impedance
dc.titleConventional vs. high-resolution seismic simultaneous inversion and rock property characterization of the Olmos and Eagle Ford unconventional plays, South Texas
dc.type.dcmiText
dc.type.genreThesis
thesis.degree.collegeCollege of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
thesis.degree.departmentEarth and Atmospheric Sciences, Department of
thesis.degree.disciplineGeophysics
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Houston
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science

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