Facies recognition using wavelet based fractal analysis and waveform classifier at the Oritupano-A Field, Venezuela

Abstract

Abstract. We have used a Wavelet Based Fractal Analysis (WBFA) and a Waveform Classifier (WC) to recognize lithofacies at the Oritupano A field (Oritupano-Leona Block, Venezuela). The WBFA was applied first to Sonic, Density, Gamma Ray and Porosity well logs in the area. The logs that give the best response to the WBFA are the Gamma Ray and NPHI (porosity) logs. In the case of the logs, the lithological content could be associated to the fractal parameters: slope, intercept and fractal dimension. The map obtained using the fractal dimension shows tendencies that generally agree with the depositional patterns previously observed in conventional geological maps. According to the results obtained in this study, zones with fractal dimension values lower than 0.9 correspond to sandstone channels. Values between 0.9 and 1.2 coincide with the interdistributary deltaic shelf and values greater than 1.2 might be associated with zones of greater shale content. The WBFA and WC results obtained for the seismic data show no relation with the lithofacies. The lost of low and high frequencies in these seismic data, as well as phase problems, could be the reasons for this behavior.