2-D and 3-D Pseudo-Seismic Transforms of Wireline Logs: A Seismic Approach to Petrophysical Sequence Stratigraphy

Tim Carr, John Hopkins, Howard Feldman, Alan Feltz, John Doveton, Dave Collins


Stratigraphic interpretation from wireline logs is typically drawn from multiple log traces or from crossplots of log data. Both techniques can readily depict vertical changes in lithology or reservoir quality, but lateral relationships are not readily visualized. Significant improvement in the geologic interpretation of wireline log data can be achieved through color image transformation and treatment of the transformed data as "seismic" traces for the purposes of processing, interpretation and display. Such a transform can combine data from porosity. gamma, and density tools generating a color coded "crossplot log' for each well. A well-designed color transformation of wireline log data from multiple wells maximizes both spatial and compositional information content, and provides a readily interpretable image of the subsurface geology. The transformed image in, either 2D or 3D, can be treated as "seismic" data easing the data handling burdens through use of computerized techniques designed for interpretation of seismic data.

Various filters and transformations can be applied to emphasize different aspects of the subsurface geology. The color image transformation of wireline log data from multiple wells opens new dimensions in log interpretation and provides significant insight into complex stratigraphic geometries associated with lithology, reservoir quality, and fluids. Examples at both the regional and field scale are used to illustrate the utility of using the computer workstation to integrate petrophysical data into a seismic stratigraphic approach.


Table Contents of Complete Article:

Introduction

Traditional Approaches to Stratigraphic Interpretation

Pseudo-Seismic Approaches to Stratigraphic Interpretation
Attached graphic of Pseudo-Seismic Line (82788 bytes)
Enlargement of Pseudo-Seismic Line Graphic (63951 bytes)

Current And Future Applications of The Pseudo-Seismic Approach
Attached graphic of Wells in Hugoton Embayment

Summary