Seismic Data
Interpretation, from basics
A seismic trace is a graph of amplitude versus time
(Robinson & Treitel, 2008, Geophysical Reference 15)
Factors afectting
seismic amplitudes
In a nutshell
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What´s Inside…
1 Introduction: Seismic Amplitudes
and Interpretation
2 Factors afectting seismic amplitudes:
Generalities
Factors affecting amplitudes:
3 Acquisition (source) and Earth
Factors afectting amplitudes:
4 Acquisition (receiver)
5 Remarks
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Indroduction
Amplitude
Is the measure of the displacement of a point along a seismic wave
from the middle (zero crossing), it can be positively valued (peaks)
and negatively valued (troughs)
The amplitudes of seismic traces are often used to make a variety of geologic interpretations, either
in 1D, 2D, or 3D and are often used in combination.
Even though seismic amplitudes are not directly proportional to geological constrasts (expressed
as reflection coefficients), there obviously is some connection.
Big contrast = big amplitude, small contrast = small amplitude.
Modified from Bianco, 2011
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Indroduction
Seismic Interpretation
Seismic interpretation is fundamentally based on interpreting
changes in amplitude
The changing amplitude values that define the seismic trace are typically explained using the
convolutional model.
This model states that trace amplitudes have three controlling factors:
•The reflection coefficient (RC) series (geology)
•The seismic wavelet
•The wavelet's interactions through convolution
This display from a
seismic data set,
shows the
relationship
between amplitude
patterns and
geology,
open to
interpretation.
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Factors afectting seismic amplitudes
What's affect?
Seismic traces are created by merging wave records from a range of
angles, ray paths, and source and receiver positions.
There is a large number of factors that affect seismic amplitude that have little to do with
contrasts or geological interfaces. Here, is a non-exhaustive list of things that might affect the
amplitude of a seismic trace:
•Lithology •Random noise
•Porosity •Acquisition footprint
•Pore fluid •Interference
•Fluid saturation •Near-surface effects
•Effective pressure •Processing operations
•Faults and fractures •Geometrical spreading
•Reflector geometry •Attenuation (energy loss)
•Bed thickness •Multiple reflections
In the next slide, describes and summarizes many of the factors controlling seismic amplitudes
in seismic acquisition, before processing.
Modified from Bianco, 2011
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Factors affecting amplitudes: Acquisition
(source) and Earth
From Henry, 2004
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Description
Factors Comments: Magnitude
Seismic Acquisition (Source)
Size of dynamite, number of working vibrators,
F1) Source Strength Moderate
number of sweeps, etc.
Source in dry sand, weathering (poor coupling),
F2) Source Coupling Moderate
bedrock, wet soil (good)
Desiggned to attenuate noise but also attenuates
F3) Source Arrays Minor
dipping primaries
Reflected signature with opposite sign at free
F4) Source Ghost Minor
surface
The Earth
When RC large enough (Volcanics, Salt)
F5) Discontinuous Trans Mod-Major
underlying events not visible
Spherical spreading of energy is the MAJOR
F6) Curved Ray MAJOR
effect, factor of 10 or more
Tuning can be major, up to factor of 2, at
F7) Tuning Mod-Major
pinchouts can be down to zero
F8) AVA AVA gas effects can be up to a factor of 5 Mod-Major
Focusing and defocused - minor, exceptions
F9) Curved Reflectors Minor
include san lens - mod-major
At seismic wavelengths most geotogic surfaces
F10) Rugosity Minor
are "mirror" smooth
lf RC contrasts are high then can be moderate
F11) Interbed Multiples Minor
problem, generally minor
Loss of energy to heat, weighted towards high
F12) Absorption Minor
frequencles
Loss of energy due to specular reflections,
F13) Scattering Minor
weighted towards high frequency
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Factors afectting amplitudes: Acquisition
(receiver)
From Henry, 2004
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Description
Factors Comments: Magnitude
Seismic Acquisition (Receiver)
Coupling Geophones dampened on dry soil,
F14) Receiver Moderate
buried or wet soil couples well
Negative RC at surface, then positive at base
F15) Surface Multlples Minor
weathering
Reflected RC with opposite sign at free surface,
F16) Receiver Ghost Minor
changing surface RC
F17) Receiver Strength Poorly placed geophones, partial loss of array Minor
Designed to attenuate noise but will also
F18) Receiver Arrays Minor
attenuate dipping primaries
F19) Geophone Response is a filter that reduces amplitudes Minor
Range Pre-1990 with limited 12-15 bit
F20) Dynamic Range Minor
recorders / fllters Moderate, now Minor
Missing ground positions / offsets, effects
F21) S&R "Skips" Mod-Major
# traces and frequency content
In previous slides were shown only 21 factors, along with brief comments describing the factors
and an estimated magnitude of the effect.
Removing their effects to obtain absolutely true amplitudes is impossible.
Modified from Henry, 2004
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Remarks
We just see the factors that affect amplitudes
before seismic processing
There are a lot more Factors Affecting Amplitudes Arising in
Processing and Interpretation
When all factors have been properly considered, then the changes
in amplitudes can be more reliably related to changes in geology
and have been shown to be adequate and successfully applied for
reducing risk in seismic interpretation and discovering
hydrocarbons
Imagine how you would reduce risk and
uncertainty in your reservoir models
having a Geophysicist on your team
Questions?Let's talk
Luis Bravo, Geophysicist
Luis Bravo, Geophysicist Questions?
Let's talk
