Seismic modelling of fault zones

Abstract

While faults have long been known as primary pathways for fluid migration in sedimentary basins, recent work highlights the importance of fault zone internal architecture, lateral variation, transmissivity, and impact on migration and trapping. The impacts of fault zone architecture and properties on seismic images are investigated to facilitate accurately mapped fault zones, and to predict subseismic flow properties and sealing potential. A wedge-type fault model with a main fault and a synthetic fault displacing a typical North West Shelf siliciclastic succession is used to replicate the geometrical components of a seismic-scale fault. Elastic properties are derived from rock physics models, which are used in a 2D elastic modelling algorithm to produce realistic marine seismic acquisition geometry. These data were subsequently input into a 2D prestack (one-way wave-equation) migration code to produce an interpretable seismic image. Base-case elastic properties are systematically varied; modelling focuses on gouge properties, fractured fault zone material, the sandstone Vp/Vs relationship, and shale-sand velocity contrast. The workflow from geological model building to elastic property substitution and forward seismic modelling is extremely quick and versatile, allowing testing of a wide range of scenarios. So far this approach has yielded valuable insights into internal fault property prediction and interpretation of the fault zone in traditional post-stack seismic datasets. Implications for processing workflow and attenuation of fault shadows are also expected.