Abstract
3D seismic data can yield a wealth of geologic information through the integration of seismic stratigraphy and seismic geomorphology. Risk mitigation regarding lithofacies prediction is the result of better quality interpretations produced quickly and efficiently. The keys to success are 1) to have good fundamental knowledge of geologic first principles, 2) to be able to apply state-of-the-art workflows creatively and efficiently, and 3) to have a library of analog patterns with which to compare. Some of the workflows that will be discussed in this presentation include: 1) creative datuming and subsequent stratal slicing, whereby volume flattening, based on horizon picks, is achieved in the absence of easy to interpret reflections, 2) multi-horizon flattening which can be useful for stratal slicing of sections where reflections are not parallel. In these instances this workflow is useful for subsequent proportional slicing, for removing velocity-related seismic artifacts such as pull-up, and for correcting the effects of differential compaction, resulting in effective restoration of original stratigraphic architecture. And 3) optical stacking, which can highlight stratigraphic features that are not readily apparent on stratal slices. Patterns associated with deep-water deposits including turbidite, mass transport, and sediment wave deposits, and shallow-water to continental deposits including shoreface, aeolian, and fluvial deposits will be shown.
Biography
Henry W. Posamentier is a worldwide consultant in seismic and sequence stratigraphy with a focus on lithofacies prediction risk issues. He was a Senior Geological Advisor with Chevron Energy Technology Company serving as a consultant to exploration and development business units on a wide range of geological issues, prior to retiring in 2014. Before Chevron, Dr. Posamentier served as Chief Geologist with Anadarko Petroleum and was a senior exploration and research advisor with ARCO and earlier with Exxon production Research Company. Dr. Posamentier has published widely with research interests in the fields of sequence stratigraphy and depositional systems analysis. Most recently, he has employed an interdisciplinary approach to the prediction of lithofacies distribution through time and space by integrating stratigraphy, geomorphology, depositional systems analysis, and sequence stratigraphy, using 3D seismic visualization integrated with borehole data.
In 1971-1972, Dr. Posamentier was a Fulbright Fellow to Austria. He has served as an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer to the United States (1991-1992), an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer to the former Soviet Union (1996-1997), an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer to the Middle East (1998-1999), and an AAPG Distinguished Lecturer to Europe (2005-2006). In 2008 he was awarded the Pettijohn Medal for excellence in sedimentology from the Society for Sedimentary geology (SEPM), the William Smith Medal for contributions to applied and economic aspects of geology from the Geological Society of London in 2010, and the Robert Berg Award for Outstanding Petroleum Research from the AAPG in 2012.
