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Detection of fluvial sand systems using seismic attributes and continuous wavelet transform spectral decomposition: case study from the Gulf of Thailand

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Abstract

Fluvial sands host excellent oil and gas reservoirs in various fields throughout the world. However, the lateral heterogeneity of reservoir properties within these reservoirs can be significant and determining the distribution of good reservoirs is a challenge. This study attempts to predict sand distribution within fluvial depositional systems by applying the Continuous Wavelet Transformation technique of spectral decomposition along with full spectrum seismic attributes, to a 3D seismic data set in the Pattani Basin, Gulf of Thailand. Full spectrum seismic attributes such as root mean square and coherency help to effectively map fluvial systems down to certain depth below which imaging is difficult in the intervals of interest in this study. However, continuous wavelet transform used in conjunction with other attributes by applying visualization techniques of transparency and RGB can be used at greater depths to extract from 3D seismic data useful information of fluvial depositional elements. This workflow may help to identify different reservoir compartments within the fluvial systems of the Gulf of Thailand.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Fugro-Jason for providing an academic license of their Continuous Wavelet Transform spectral decomposition module which was used in this research. Landmark is also acknowledged for providing academic licenses of GeoProbe, PowerView and SeisWorks for the present research. We also thank management of Chevron Thailand Exploration and Production, Ltd. for permission to publish this paper.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Petroleum Geoscience Program, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand

    Mirza Naseer Ahmad, Philip Rowell & Suchada Sriburee

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  1. Mirza Naseer Ahmad
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  2. Philip Rowell
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  3. Suchada Sriburee
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Correspondence to Mirza Naseer Ahmad.

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Ahmad, M.N., Rowell, P. & Sriburee, S. Detection of fluvial sand systems using seismic attributes and continuous wavelet transform spectral decomposition: case study from the Gulf of Thailand. Mar Geophys Res 35, 105–123 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-014-9213-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11001-014-9213-0

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