Reservoir Delineation within the Abu Madi Gas Field, Nile Delta, Using the Seismic Inversion Technique PDF

Keywords

seismic data, Egypt, sedimentary

Abstract

The seismic inversion technique is a relatively novel method in exploration geophysics. The present paper discusses the methodology of this technique and illustrates its application to a specific problem in hydrocarbon exploration. the seismic inversion technique was applied in a recent digital seismic survey in the Abu Madi Gas Field, Egypt, in an attempt to delineate the reservoirs in that field and optimize their development. High frequency as well as high amplitude seismic responses characterize thin gas-filled lenses, while low frequencies and high amplitudes characterize think sand lenses. The wavelet processes section demonstrated that the Abu Madi Formation is characterized by rapid lateral lithofacies changes which are related to the fluvio-deltaic depositional environment of these rocks. The wavelet- processes sections also showed that amplitude anomalies, which may be significant in terms of hydrocarbon potential, exist at deeper levels (Sidi Salem). Subsequently, deeper drilling has led to the discovery of new reservoir for gas and condensate accumulations. Detailed velocity analysis from seismic data yielded highly stable velocity curves. The same results are observed in the borehole velocities. This indicates lithostratigraphic uniformity in the Abu Madi sedimentary section. It is expected that seismic data collected with optimum unified-field parameters with increased high frequency content can provide even more useful results.