Seismic attribute analysis in structural interpretation of the Gullfaks Field, northern North Sea

Abstract

Seismic attribute maps provide a useful tool in interpreting faults, particularly those close to or below seismic resolution. Dip, relief, azimuth and amplitude maps are most useful. Optimal use of such maps requires careful filtering and appropriate use of colours and light sources. One of the challenges is to distinguish between anomalies related to real geological features and to seismic noise--both of which may occur as linear or curvi-linear, continuous features on the attribute maps. This challenge must be solved by use of independent data. In the North Sea Gullfaks Field, a family of (curvi-)linear features on the attribute maps are subparallel to contour lines on time maps. Core data, dipmeter data, stratigraphic log correlation and forward modelling show that these features are related to seismic noise rather than real faults.