Justifying 4D seismic

When is it appropriate to use 4D seismic technology? How do you justify this geophysical expense?

4D seismic acquisition is expensive and operators want to ensure that the data gathering is completed at a time in a flood life cycle when maximum reservoir information can be gathering.

One operator describes his planning for 4D seismic acquisition as well as his concerns about processing and tuning reservoir numerical simulation models.

You can get his application documents by clicking on the button below.

Many practical uses

4D seismic has many practical uses in reservoir recovery management. For example, it can help answer questions like: How long does it take for a SAGD steam chamber to reach the caprock? This answer can help forecast the life of a thermal heavy oil scheme.

One operator has showed 4D seismic results to the regulator. He recently described his 4D seismic efforts including:

• Use of observation wells in the 4D seismic data set,
• Impact of thin shale baffles in vertical injectant growth, and
• Interaction with 4D seismic modeling with numerical reservoir modeling.

How to find seismic interpretations

AppIntel is the only way to find seismic interpretations placed in applications by other operators.

You can find seismic interpretations like this in applications using AppIntel's google-like search. Just type into the KiP search box Banff seismic, or seismic Peace River.

If you can see another's seismic interpretation, perhaps you can duplicate it. Who needs to QI a striped cross section when you can see the finished interpretation?

Using 4D seismic to guide exploitation

Some operators believe that seismic is not just an exploration tools, but a very important exploitation tool. Many operator believe a 4D seismic anomaly is created when oil sand is heated to 60 degrees C. They note a rise in anomaly over time as well as lateral growth. They believe that steam chambers coalesce between the toes of the injectors.

One operator included a discussion of 4D seismic technique and interpretation in an application. He believes that 4D seismic images a steam chamber and helps confirm the bitumen thickness. He used it to direct the drilling of new infill and replacement wells.

Tags: Seismic, Thermal, Exploration, Heavy Oil

Granger Low   2 Jan 2017

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