Delineating Hydrocarbon Bearing Zones Using Elastic Impedance Inversion: A Persian Gulf Example

Abstract

Reservoir characterization plays an important role in different parts of an industrial project. The results from a reservoir characterization study give insight into rock and fluid properties which can optimize the choice of drilling locations and reduce risk and uncertainty. Delineating hydrocarbon bearing zones within a reservoir is the main objective of any seismic reservoir characterization study. In the current study, using limited well control and seismic data, an attempt was made to predict the productive zones of a reservoir using elastic impedance inversion. Elastic impedance logs at near and far angles of incidence have been crossplotted to find the desired productive parts of the formation. Two partial angle stack seismic data have been inverted using a model-based post-stack seismic inversion. The crossplot of the two inverted volumes is interpreted based on the results from the well location. Finally, the hydrocarbon bearing zones of the reservoir was delineated according to the seismic crossplot analysis.