Investigation of seismic attributes, depositional environments, and hydrocarbon sweet-spot distribution in the Serbin field, Taylor Formation, Southeast Texas

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We have conducted seismic-attribute analysis at the Serbin field — in an area straddling Lee, Fayette, and Bastrop Counties and covering approximately [Formula: see text] (approximately [Formula: see text]) — using new, reprocessed, 3D seismic data to provide additional understanding of depositional environments and better predict the distribution of hydrocarbon sweet spots. We converted the 3D seismic volume into a log-lithology volume and integrated core data to examine the distribution of lithology and interpret depositional environments. By conducting multiattribute analysis, we predicted resistivity (deep-induction log) volume and generated a resistivity map to identify hydrocarbon sweet spots. Our results show that reservoir sandstones in the Serbin field are storm-dominated, shelf-sand deposits. Although individual sandstone beds are lenticular and discontinuous, they collectively constitute a sheet-like geometry, trending northeast to southwest. On the basis of resistivity maps and rock property versus seismic-amplitude crossplots, we differentiated reservoirs in the lower Taylor Formation into two zones: (1) a northwest, high-resistivity, high-acoustic impedance zone and (2) a southeast, low-resistivity, low-acoustic impedance zone. The results also indicated that hydrocarbon sweet spots in the Serbin field are characterized by high resistivity and high impedance. Furthermore, the log-lithology method, although fast and effective, is limited because it cannot take into account sandstone zones having low acoustic impedance.