AVO Theory

Hilfan Khairy
UTP
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
6b. Amplitude Versus Offset (AVO)
Seismic reflection amplitude with change in
distance between shot-point and receiver.
It can be converted into amplitude change
with angle
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
AVO or Amplitude Versus Offset is one of seismic attribute that usually
used for lithology and fluid prediction
AVO was firstly introduced by Ostrander in 1982 and 1984. He utilized AVO
to analyst gas-sand in seismic anomaly
AVO method successfully identified gas fluid from lithology effect such as:
1. Low impedance gas-sand
2. Coal
3. Carbonate
4. etc.
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
When seismic wave arrives at the media boundary, it will convert
into several types of seismic wave. The amplitude variation is
dependent on Poisson ratio, wave velocity and density of medium
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
The how seismic wave are reflected or transmitted is
described by ZOEPPRITZ EQUATION
1 1 2 2 1
1 1 2 2 1
1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 1 1
1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2
cos sin cos sin cos
sin cos sin cos sin
cos 2 sin 2 cos 2 sin 2 cos 2
sin 2 cos 2 sin 2 cos 2
pp ps pp ps p
pp ps pp ps p
pp ps pp ps p
pp ps pp ps
R R R
R R R
R Z R W Z W R Z
R W R W W W R
u | t u t | u
u | t u t | u
u | t u t | u
u | t u t |
+ + =
+ + =
=
+ + =
1 1 1
i
i i i i i i i
i
sin 2

= ; Z = ; W= ; i=1,2

: P wave velocity
: S wave velocity
: Density
p
W u
o
|
6b.1 Zoeppritz equation
Karl Bernhard Zoeppritz
(1881-1908: 26 years old)
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Zoeppritz equation did not give direct solution how those equation relate to
petrophysics parameter. Aki-Richard simplified it in three elements in term
of P-wave velocity, S-wave velocity and density as follow:
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
The Aki-Richard equation can be re-arranged as:
( ) ( )
2
2 2 2 2
2 2
1 1 1
4 2 sin tan sin
2 2 2
R
o o | | o
u | u u u
o o o | o o
| | | | A A A A A A
= + + +
| |
\ . \ .
If the ratio of |/o or Vs/Vp = and ignoring third term of
( )
2 2
tan sin u u ~
( ) ( )
2
2 sin
p p s
R R R R u u = +
1
2
p
R
o
o
| | A A
= +
|
\ .
1
2
s
R
|
|
| | A A
= +
|
\ .
(*)
Q1:
1. Proof equation (*)!
2. Determine range of degree when
!
( )
2 2
tan sin u u ~
Gradient=G
Intercept=R
p
2
p s
R R =
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
6b.2 Shuey approximation
Shuey simplified Zoeppritz equation in term of P wave velocity (Vp), density
() and poisson ratio (o)
( )
( )
( )
2 2 2
2
sin tan sin
1
p p o
R R R A
o o
u u u u
o
o
(
A A
= + + + (

(

( )
1 2
2
o o
o
+
=
2 1
o o o A =
( )
1 2
2 1
1
o
A B B
o
o

= +

B
o
o

o
o
A
=
A
A
+
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
( )
2
9
sin
4
p p
R R R u o u
| |
= + A
|
\ .
Gradient=G
Intercept=R
p
9
4
p
R o
| |
= A
|
\ .
(*) Q2:Proof it! or
Hiltermann approximation o=1/3 ; A
o
=-1 ; third term ~ 0
( )
2 2
9
cos sin
4
p
R R u u o u = + A
First term dominant in near offset
Second term dominant in far offset
4
( )
9
p
G R o A = +
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Shuey and Aki-Richard have almost the same amplitude for the
incident angle less than 30
o
Shuey
Aki-Richard
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
(Source: Hampson-Russel training manual)
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
6b.3 Smith/Gidlow approximation
( )
2
2 2
2
1 1
2 4 sin tan
2 2
R
o | | o
u u u
o o | o
| | | | A A A A A
= + + +
| |
\ . \ .
Rearrange Aki-Richard equation:
Ignoring density factor by using Gardner equation
1/ 4
a o =
1
4
o
o
A A
=
( ) R a b
o |
u
o |
A A
= +
2
2 2
2
5 1 1
sin tan
8 2 2
a
|
u u
o
= +
2
2
2
4 sin b
|
u
o
=
Q3:Proof it!
This R(u) is also called
as fluid-factor stack
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Most of poisson ratio of the reservoir rocks are in between 0.1 0.3 which
indicate that Vp/Vs ratio has monotonic increasing with poisson ratio. Thus
Vp/Vs ~ o.
Smith and Gidlow (1987) introducing pseudo poisson ratio reflectivity as:
p
s
p s
V
V
V V
o
o
A
A A
=
Q4: Proof it!
Recalling mudrock line of Castagna
equation that note all water-bearing
clastic silicates should lie close to this
line
1.16 1.36 Vp Vs = +
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
It is defined a fluid factor parameter
1.16
p p
p p
observed mudrock
p
p
observed
V V
F
V V
V
F
V
| |
o |
| | | | A A
A =
| |
| |
\ . \ .
| | A
A
A =
|
|
\ .
Thus if the fluid factor AF=0 means that it is non-prospective zone
reservoir and if AF=0 it is prospective zone
Background trend (shale/brine sand): AF ~ 0
Shale/Gas sand: AF < 0 (negative)
Gas sand/Brine sand : AF > 0 (positive)
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Ideal gas indicator
(Smith and Sutherland, Geophysics 1996)
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
6b.4 Equating Aki-Richard (AR) with Smith-Gidlow (SG)
( )
2
sin
p
R R G u u = +
1
2
p
R
o
o
| | A A
= +
|
\ .
1
2
s
R
|
|
| | A A
= +
|
\ .
2
p s
G R R =
recalling Gardner equation
1/ 4
a o =
1
4
o
o
A A
=
1.6
p
R
o
o
A
= and
3
5
p
R G
|
|
A
=
Q5: Proof it!
Pseudo poisson ratio reflectivity
p
R G
o o |
o o |
o
o
A A A
=
A
= +
0.58
1.252 0.58
p
F
F R G
o |
o |
A A
A =
A = +
Fluid factor
assume |/o=1/2
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Summary of Approximation to Aki-Richards
p
X aR bG = +
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Example:
Calculate the fluid factor from data measurement below and determine
type of fluid.
1
2
Vp1
(m/s)
Vs1
(m/s)
Rho1
(g/cc)
Vp2
(m/s)
Vs2
(m/s)
Rho2
(g/cc)
2000 1420 2.2 2800 1800 2.5
2020 1425 2.1 2810 1910 2.52
1850 1430 1.98 2780 1850 2.6
1930 1400 2.1 2650 1880 2.49
1980 1450 2 2770 1930 2.45
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
AVp AVs ARho Vp Vs Rho Rp Rs G AF
800 380 0.3 2400 1610 2.35 0.230496 0.181842 -0.13319 0.211333
790 485 0.42 2415 1667.5 2.31 0.25447 0.236336 -0.2182 0.192039
930 420 0.62 2315 1640 2.29 0.336235 0.26342 -0.1906 0.310416
720 480 0.39 2290 1640 2.295 0.242173 0.231309 -0.22045 0.175342
790 480 0.45 2375 1690 2.225 0.267439 0.243135 -0.21883 0.207912
AF > 0
0.58
1.252 0.58
p
F
F R G
o |
o |
A A
A =
A = +
Gas sand/Brine sand
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Pufff!
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
P-wave (a) and S-wave (b) velocity reflectivity for gas detection (Smith and Gidlow, 1987)
(a)
(b)
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Pseudo poisson ratio reflectivity (a) and fluid factor (b) reflectivity for gas detection (Smith and Gidlow, 1987)
(a)
(b)
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
The first term in AVO equation (Rp) represent for zero offset and the second
term (G)depend on poisson ratio. Thus any significant change in poisson
ratio will generate the changes in AVO response, particularly in far offset.
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Scenario of an AVO in response of AI and poisson ratio
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Scenario of an AVO in response of AI and poisson ratio
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Scenario of an AVO in response of AI and poisson ratio
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Scenario of an AVO in response of AI and poisson ratio
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
ACOUSTIC
IMPEDANCE
POISSONS
RATIO
RELATIVE
AMPLITUDE
ABSOLUTE
AMPLITUDE
AVO RESPONSE SUMMARY
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
6b.5 Transformation from offset into angle
Zoeppritz and Shuey equation have
dependency with the angle. Thus
any seismic record has to be
converted from the offset into the
angle before using Shuey/Zoeppritz
equation.
u
u
tan
2
X
Z
u =
Z = depth
X = offset
2
o
Vt
Z =
V= velocity (RMS or average)
t
o
=total zero-offset traveltime
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Thus transformation offset-angle function is
1
tan
o
X
Vt
u

(
=
(

In the constant angle, the
amplitude is gained from the
longer offset on the AVO
gather as the time increase
(*)
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Previous transformation function is dedicated for single layer case. For
multilayer cases, we need to extend the parameter as follow. Defined ray
parameter (P)
int
sin
P
V
u
=
t
o
t
t
X
t=t+Px
Ax
At
t
2
=t
o
2
+x
2
/v
2
P=At/Ax
2
2 2
o
rms
x
t t
V
= +
2
rms
X
P
tV
=
int
2
sin
rms
xV
tV
u =
Finally we obtain
V
int
= velocity interval
V
rms
=root mean square velocity
(**)
Rock physics and AVO-Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
Dr. Hilfan Khairy
Q7: By considering the Figure above, please verified that equation (**)
will turn back into (*) for single layer case
X
S R
u u
Z
Vt
o
/2
Vt/2