Geophysics Exercise 4

The Exercise
Part A

• Interpret the main features of the

seismic section. Using coloured pencils,
draw lines along the main seismic
events, the unconformities, and along
faults. It is usually best to show the
major features first, and then add more
detail as you think about the
interpretation.
Part B

• Assuming that the velocity of sound in

seawater is 1500 m/sec, what is the
water depth at the location of Well A?
Find the TWT of the Seabed

At this scale, not easy

2.644
Interpolate between
time lines
Record to nearest
millisecond
 Create a Table

elev base int int thick int velocity int TWT cum TWT
water btm -1983 1983 1500 2.644 2.644

velocity x time = distance

(distance is two-way distance!)
1500 x 2.644 / 2 = 1983 metres water depth
 Create a Table

elev base int int thick int velocity int TWT cum TWT
water btm -1983 1983 1500 2.644 2.644

velocity x time = distance

(distance is two-way distance!)
1500 x 2.644 / 2 = 1983 metres water depth

elev base int int thick int velocity int TWT cum TWT
water btm -1983 1983 1500 2.644 2.644

Elevation of base of water is: sea level (depth of “0”)

minus thickness of water
Part C

• In drilling Well A, severe hole problems were

experienced at 2376 m TVDSS and again at 2597 m
TVDSS. An unplanned casing string had to be
installed to maintain control, with the casing shoe at
2605 m TVDSS. A limited log suite was obtained in
the open hole before the casing was installed. These
logs suggest that the average sediment velocity
down to the casing shoe is 1650 m/sec. Calculate the
TWTs of the “problem” spots noted above. Does the
seismic data, or your interpretation, give any clues as
to the possible cause of these hole problems?
 Add to the Table
elev base int int thick int velocity int TWT cum TWT
water btm -1983 1983 1500 2.644 2.644
first problem -2376 393 1650 0.476 3.120
second problem -2597 221 1650 0.268 3.388
casing shoe -2605 8 1650 0.010 3.398

-1983 ̶ -2376 = 393

-2376 ̶ -2597 = 221
-2597 ̶ -2605 = 8

elev base int int thick int velocity int TWT cum TWT
water btm -1983 1983 1500 2.644 2.644
first problem -2376 393 1650 0.476 3.120
second problem -2597 221 1650 0.268 3.388
casing shoe -2605 8 1650 0.010 3.398
 Calculate Interval Times

elev base int int thick int velocity int TWT cum TWT
water btm -1983 1983 1500 2.644 2.644
first problem -2376 393 1650 0.476 3.120
second problem -2597 221 1650 0.268 3.388
casing shoe -2605 8 1650 0.010 3.398

time = distance / velocity

(distance is two-way distance!)
2 x 393 / 1650 = 0.476 sec TWT
 Calculate Interval Times
elev base int int thick int velocity int TWT cum TWT
water btm -1983 1983 1500 2.644 2.644
first problem -2376 393 1650 0.476 3.120
second problem -2597 221 1650 0.268 3.388
casing shoe -2605 8 1650 0.010 3.398

time = distance / velocity

(distance is two-way distance!)
2 x 393 / 1650 = 0.476 sec TWT
elev base int int thick int velocity int TWT cum TWT
water btm -1983 1983 1500 2.644 2.644
first problem -2376 393 1650 0.476 3.120
second problem -2597 221 1650 0.268 3.388
casing shoe -2605 8 1650 0.010 3.398
Calculate New Cumulative Time
elev base int int thick int velocity int TWT cum TWT
water btm -1983 1983 1500 2.644 2.644
first problem -2376 393 1650 0.476 3.120
second problem -2597 221 1650 0.268 3.388
casing shoe -2605 8 1650 0.010 3.398

2.644 + 0.476 = 3.120

 Updated Table

elev base int int thick int velocity int TWT cum TWT
water btm -1983 1983 1500 2.644 2.644
first problem -2376 393 1650 0.476 3.120
second problem -2597 221 1650 0.268 3.388
casing shoe -2605 8 1650 0.010 3.398
Problem spots are
where the well
crosses the
detachment
surfaces 3.120
3.388
Problem
spots
Part D

• Drilling ahead, another 391 m of soft muds

were penetrated, with considerable hole
problems throughout. Mudweight was
progressively increased to prevent hole
collapse. At Point “X”, a kick was experienced
(i.e. significant fluid inflow to the well),
necessitating a further mudweight increase to
16 ppg. What is the velocity of the soft muds
above point “X” and below the casing shoe?
Does the seismic give any clues as to why the
mudweight had to be increased?
 Interval Velocity
elev base int int thick int velocity int TWT cum TWT
water btm -1983 1983 1500 2.644 2.644
first problem -2376 393 1650 0.476 3.120
second problem -2597 221 1650 0.268 3.388
casing shoe -2605 8 1650 0.010 3.398
point x -2996 391 1612 0.485 3.883

distance / time = velocity

(distance is two-way distance!)
2 x 391 / 0.485 = 1612 m/sec
Part E

• Drilling continued below Point “X” to TD. Continuous oil shows

were experienced throughout the section of hole below Point
“X”. Logging suggests a velocity of 1700 m/sec below Point “X”
down to Point “Y”, which is located at 3470 m TVDSS. Below
Point “Y”, the average interval velocity increased to 2000 m/sec
to TD at 3882 m TVDSS. The petrophysicist has interpreted a
high-quality reservoir sandstone interval (12 metres thick) at
Point “Y”. Unfortunately, the last logging run again encountered
severe hole problems, resulting in loss of the logging tool and
abandonment of the openhole section of the well.
• Based on the interpreted pay zone at Point “Y”, it has been
proposed that the well be sidetracked (from the casing shoe) to
a higher structural position at Point “Z”. What is the minimum
hydrocarbon column height that can be expected there? (Hint:
what is the elevation difference between Point “Y” and Point
“Z”? You know Point “Y”, so you need to estimate Point “Z”).
 Complete the Table
elev base int int thick int velocity int TWT cum TWT
water btm -1983 1983 1500 2.644 2.644
first problem -2376 393 1650 0.476 3.120
second problem -2597 221 1650 0.268 3.388
casing shoe -2605 8 1650 0.010 3.398
point x -2996 391 1612 0.485 3.883
point y -3470 474 1700 0.558 4.441
TD -3882 412 2000 0.412 4.853
 Average Velocity
3470 – 1983 = 1487 m
4.441 – 2.644 = 1.797 sec TWT
so:
2 x 1487 / 1.797 = 1654.98 m/sec
(average velocity of sediments above “Y”).
 Elevation of “Z”
Average
Above Point Z, the seabed is
at 2.588 s TWT (or 1941 m velocity
TVDSS). The TWT to Z is
4.353. So the interval TWT
through the sediments is
4.353 – 2.588 = 1.765 sec.
So the thickness of
sediments above Point Z is
1655 m/s times 1.765 s / 2 2.588
= 1461 m. Add that to the
depth of the seabed to get
the depth to Z (1941 m +
1461 m = 3402 m).
Compare Elevations
Difference of 68m

-3402m -3470m

OWC might
be deeper
than “Y”
Part F

• Based on the experience gained in

drilling Well A, outline the well-planning
issues that will arise if the company
now considers targetting the same pay
sandstone in the adjacent structural
feature (i.e. around shotpoint 800, at
the location identified as Well D).
 Site Considerations
-We definitely want to avoid the seabed scarps.
- We want to be prepared for hole stability issues as we cross
the low-angle fault(s) (associated with the MTC?)
- We want to be ready for water influx.
-The overpressure will almost certainly be ramping in the same
rock units. And we can see hints of possible faulting (normal
faults?) above this structure as suggested by disrupted
reflectors. Maybe these faults will cause local drilling problems.
Part G

• Estimate the elevation of the reservoir

equivalent horizon in Well D. (That is,
calculate the elevation of Point “N”). Is
this location, at the apparent top of an
anticline, higher or lower than the
elevation at Well A (sidetrack)?
 Elevation of “N”
new well location (SP790)
elev base of int int thickness int velocity int TWT cum TWT
water btm -1315 1315 1500 1.753 1.753
unconf (shoe equiv) -1874 559 1650 0.678 2.431
"m" ("x" equiv) -2546 672 1612 0.834 3.265
"n" ("z" equiv) -3046 500 1700 0.588 3.853
TD -3693 647 2000 0.647 4.500

1.753

Assuming that the velocity of

each interval is the same at
the location of Well D