Single-step probabilistic inversion of 3D seismic data of a carbonate
reservoir in Southwest Iran
Thomas Mejer Hansen
Aarhus University,Aarhus University,University of Aarhus, Aarhus University,Aarhus University,University of Aarhus, Aarhus University,Aarhus University,University of Aarhus
Author ProfileNavid Amini
CoCoLink, subsidiary of Seoul National University, Republic of Korea, CoCoLink, subsidiary of Seoul National University, Republic of Korea, CoCoLink, subsidiary of Seoul National University, Republic of Korea
Author ProfileAbstract
We use a sampling-based Markov chain Monte Carlo method to invert
seismic data directly to porosity and quantify its uncertainty
distribution in a hard-rock carbonate reservoir in Southwest Iran. Due
to the processing of the seismic data, the remainder noise is correlated
with the bandwidth in the range of the seismic wavelet. Hence, we assume
the estimated seismic wavelet as a suitable proxy for capturing the
coupling of noise samples and we propose a simple and pragmatic approach
to account for the correlated (colored) noise in the probabilistic
inversion of real seismic data. We also calibrate an empirical and a
semi-empirical inclusion-based rock-physics model to characterize the
rock-frame elastic moduli via lithology constrained fitting parameters
of these models, i.e. the critical porosity and the pore aspect ratio.
These calibrated rock-physics models are embedded in the inversion
procedure to link petrophysical and elastic properties. In addition, we
obtain the pointwise critical porosity and pore aspect ratio, which can
potentially facilitate the interpretation of the reservoir for further
studies. The inversion results are evaluated by comparing with porosity
logs and an existing geological model (porosity model) constructed
through a geostatistical simulation approach. We assess the consistency
of the geological model through a geomodel-to-seismic modeling approach.
The results confirm the performance of the probabilistic inversion in
resolving some thin layers and reconstructing the observed seismic data.
We also present the applicability of the proposed sampling-based
approach to invert 3D seismic data for estimating the porosity
distribution and its associated uncertainty for four subzones of the
reservoir. The porosity time maps and the facies probabilities obtained
via porosity cut-offs indicate the relative quality of the reservoir’s
subzones over each other.