3D Seismic Attribute Expression of Subsurface Geological Features: Reefs and Channel Systems

A combination of post-stack seismic attributes including Similarity, Curvature, and Chaotic Reflection has been used to show their effectiveness in delineating the subsurface geological features that were hardly comprehensible using conventional 3D seismic amplitude volumes. This study shows how the subtle patch-reefs and the complex meandering channel system, which were not initially well-defined in conventional seismic volumes, appear on different attribute slices. Multiple attribute signatures have been presented to confirm the channel signature, and differences have been discussed in detail. Attribute volumes have been generated using time-migrated seismic volumes from two different basins of the world: Indus Basin, Pakistan, and Taranaki Basin, New Zealand. Expression of patch-reefs and channel systems from the data sets used are very helpful in understanding the geometry and depositional environments of the mentioned features and could lead to the identification of potential hydrocarbon traps in different areas. An optimum parameter selection, especially for differences in the subsurface geology, is discussed in detail.