APPLICATION OF MODERN 3D SEISMIC DATA ACQUIRED FOR DEEPER RESOURCE PLAYS TO SHALLOWER MATURE FIELDS – A RED FORK CASE STUDY

Abstract

Utilizing a modern 3D survey acquired for a deeper resource play one can also examine potential drilling hazards and behind pipe pay in shallower formations. This study concentrates on the Red Fork sands that have been one of the major Pennsylvanian sandstone targets since the early 1900s. Many historical producers in this study had been found prior to any seismic data, while all of the producers were drilled prior to access to 3D seismic. Armed with a modern 3D seismic survey, opportunities exist to evaluate overlooked and under drilled sand bodies. Using state of the art 5D interpolation and pre-stack inversion, justified by the deeper resource plays, allows one to image and evaluate the subtler features of more conventional sandstone reservoirs above the resource target formations. Well logs and historical production data aid in evaluating any potential upside potential for hydrocarbons that has remained undrilled. Pre-stack acoustic impedance inversion highlights previously untapped reserves in the Red Fork formation that can be commercially viable. 5-dimensional trace interpolation regularizes the data and is instrumental in refining the impedance estimation and overall image quality of the seismic data. This allows for a better statistical correlation of Zp to net sand thickness allowing it to be used as a proxy in identifying potential targets.