Integrated seismic analysis of carbonate reservoirs: From the framework to the volume attributes

Abstract

The recognition of the significance of seismic geometries and the depositional sequence concepts derived from them have revolutionized carbonate stratigraphy. New insight into carbonate platform evolution has been gained from outcrops by describing subseismic geometric and facies relationships within a larger seismic-scale chronostratigraphic framework. Integration of the outcrop and seismic and knowledge of the subseismic facies distributions has improved seismic stratigraphic prediction. Recently, seismic analysis of carbonate strata has focused on the generation of more accurate and robust stratigraphic frameworks and large-scale carbonate platform architecture. Delineating the depositional sequence framework provides a predictive way to map reservoir (e.g., grainstone shoals, reefal rudstones and floatstones, etc.), source, and seal lithofacies, and to qualitatively delineate the early diagenetic history of a platform (e.g., subaerial exposure at sequence boundaries). Pore systems are complex and reco...