The Essentials of Rock Physics and Seismic Amplitude Interpretation

Business Impact: Rock physics has numerous applications for adding reserves and growing production within the business cycle; from recognition of diagnostic seismic signatures in prospect identification to reservoir characterisation and volumetric uncertainty estimation in field evaluation as well as enhanced oil recovery through time lapse techniques in field development. Moreover, a cross discipline understanding of rock physics is central to the effective integration of geology, petrophysics, geophysics, engineering.

This course presents the physical basis for quantitative seismic interpretation within the context of hydrocarbon exploration and production. Key technologies are explained in a straightforward manner; with topics including rock physics analysis of log data, well ties, 1D and 2D seismic modelling, amplitude and AVO analysis, seismic inversion to rock properties and the use of seismic amplitude information in prospect risking. Practical exercises utilise Excel based applets to aid understanding and the lessons learnt are of general application.

Duration and Training Method

A virtual classroom course divided into 8 three-hour long webinar sessions over a two-week period (equivalent to a four-day classroom) comprising a mixture of lectures, discussions, case studies, and worked examples to be completed by participants during and between webinar sessions.

Course Content

Course content comprises lectures and case study presentations that review the basics of how seismic relates to rock properties and PC-based practicals utilizing real data. Through the use of standard Microsoft Excel spreadsheets the basics of rock physics interpretation of seismic data are understood. By the end of the course, attendees will not only be able to create first order reflectivity models and understand the basics behind the buzzwords (AVO, EI etc), but also be able to ask pertinent questions that relate to the use of seismic data in prospect risking.

Lecture review topics include:

• Basic rock properties and reflectivity
• The mechanics of seismic data processing (Geometry, Stacking and Migration)
• An introduction to key processing issues
• Seismic bandwidth and the convolutional model
• Wavelets – shape, phase and polarity
• Resolution and non-uniqueness
• Fit and accuracy in seismic well ties
• Rock physics - where to get the numbers for modelling
• 1D and 2D seismic modelling
• AVO Analysis in reflectivity and impedance domains
• Seismic inversion to impedance, facies and rock properties
• Seismic amplitudes and the risking problem

Practical exercises include:

• AVO scenario modelling
• Net thickness prediction in thin beds
• Fluid substitution on logs and AVO modelling
• Modelling porosity change
• Appreciating the amplitude scaling problem
• Understanding AVO projections and AVO Interpretation
• Low frequency and AVO gradient issues in Inversion
• Risking case study

Instructor: Rob Simm

Rob is a seismic interpreter who specializes in applying rock physics in oil and gas exploration and production. He has worked in oil and gas exploration and development since1985, spending his early career with operating oil companies (notably Britoil, Tricentrol and Enterprise Oil). In 1999, he established his own consultancy company, Rock Physics Associates Ltd, to provide project and training services. From 2010 to 2019, Rob worked for small North Sea oil companies and latterly was Chief Geophysicist at DNO Norge AS. In 2014 Rob (with co-author Mike Bacon) published the textbook ‘Seismic Amplitude: An Interpreter’s Handbook’ (Cambridge University Press).

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