Simplifying the Integration of Petrophysics and Rock-Physics to Identify Hydrocarbon Bearing Rocks on Seismic

Abstract

A considerable effort has been made in the literature for quality assurance (QA) and quality checking (QC) of the petrophysical log data for computation of reservoir rock property parameters. Well log data plays an integral role in building a rock physics model for quantitative interpretation (QI) work. A poor-quality rock physics model may lead to significant financial and HSSE implications by drilling wells in undesired locations. Historically, a variety of techniques have been used including histograms and cross plots for reviewing the feasibility of petrophysical logs for QI work. However, no attempt has ever been made to introduce a simplified workflow. This paper serves two-fold. It provides a simplified step by step approach for building a petrophysics/rock physics model. A case study has been presented to compare the synthetic seismogram generated from the simplified workflow with the actual seismic trace at well locations. Secondly, the paper shows how a few key cross plots and rock property parameters provide adequate information to validate petrophysical data, distinguish overburden and reservoir sections, and to help identify fluids and saturation trends within the reservoir sands. In the mentioned case study, the robustness of the simplified rock physics model has helped seismic data to successfully distinguish hydrocarbon bearing reservoir sands from non-reservoir shales.