3D structural modeling integrated with seismic attribute and petrophysical evaluation for hydrocarbon prospecting at the Dhulian Oilfield, Pakistan

doi:10.1007/s11707-021-0881-1

Front. Earth Sci.

2021, Vol. 15

Issue (3) : 649-675 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-021-0881-1

RESEARCH ARTICLE

3D structural modeling integrated with seismic attribute and petrophysical evaluation for hydrocarbon prospecting at the Dhulian Oilfield, Pakistan

Umair KHAN¹, Baoyi ZHANG¹(

), Jiangfeng DU², Zhengwen JIANG¹

¹. MOE Key Laboratory of Metallogenic Prediction of Nonferrous Metals & Geological Environment Monitoring/ School of Geosciences & Info-Physics, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
². CNOOC Research Institute Co. Ltd., Beijing 10028, China

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Abstract

Surface and deep subsurface geological structural trends, stratigraphic features, and reservoir charac-teristics play important roles in assessment of hydrocarbon potential. Here, an approach that integrates digital elevation modelling, seismic interpretation, seismic attributes, three-dimensional (3D) geological structural modeling predicated on seismic data interpretation, and petrophysical analysis is presented to visualize and analyze reservoir structural trends and determine residual hydrocarbon potential. The digital elevation model is utilized to provide verifiable predictions of the Dhulian surface structure. Seismic interpretation of synthetic seismograms use two-way time and depth contour models to perform a representative 3D reservoir geological structure evaluation. Based on Petrel structural modeling efficiency, reservoir development indexes, such as the true 3D structural trends, slope, geometry type, depth, and possibility of hydrocarbon prospects, were calculated for the Eocene limestone Chorgali, upper Paleocene limestone Lockhart, early Permian arkosic sandstone Warcha, and Precambrian Salt Range formations. Trace envelope, instantaneous frequency, and average energy attribute analyses were utilized to resolve the spatial predictions of the subsurface structure, formation extrusion, and reflector continuity. We evaluated the average porosity, permeability, net to gross ratio, water saturation, and hydrocarbon saturation of early Eocene limestone and upper Paleocene limestone based on the qualitative interpretation of well log data. In summary, this integrated study validates 3D stratigraphic structural trends and fault networks, facilitates the residual hydrocarbon potential estimates, and reveals that the Dhulian area has a NE to SW (fold axis) thrust-bounded salt cored anticline structure, which substantiates the presence of tectonic compression. The thrust faults have fold axes trending from ENE to WSW, and the petrophysical analysis shows that the mapped reservoir is of good quality and has essential hydrocarbon potential, which can be exploited economically.

Keywords surface model seismic interpretation subsurface structural model attributes hydrocarbon potential

Corresponding Author(s): Baoyi ZHANG

Online First Date: 31 August 2021 Issue Date: 17 January 2022

Cite this article:

Umair KHAN,Baoyi ZHANG,Jiangfeng DU, et al. 3D structural modeling integrated with seismic attribute and petrophysical evaluation for hydrocarbon prospecting at the Dhulian Oilfield, Pakistan[J]. Front. Earth Sci., 2021, 15(3): 649-675.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/10.1007/s11707-021-0881-1
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/Y2021/V15/I3/649

Fig.1 (a) Geological map showing the major geological structural setting, and generalized oil and gas fields of the Potwar Basin in northern Pakistan. (b) Base map showing the location and orientation of the 2D reflection seismic lines (dip/strike).

Fig.2 Stratigraphic subdivision of (a) well 41, (b) well 43, and (c) well 45 in the Dhulain area of the Potwar Basin.

Fig.3 Step-by-step workflow of integrated methods for surface and underground 3D geological structural modeling and petrophysical property evaluation.

Fig.4 Interpretation and reflection feature analysis of seismic cross-sections (OX-PDK-101, OX-PDK-102, OX-PDK-103, OX-PDK-104, OX-PDK-105, and OX-PDK-113) showing anticline structures and major faults. The interpreted stratigraphic units can be exported and processed to create 2D time/depth contour models.

Fig.5 (a) Three-dimensional view of the interpreted horizons, fault separation and wells. (b) Formation surface polygons along with fault polygons.

Fig.6 (a) Two-dimensional and (b) three-dimensional DEM representation of the Dhulian surface structure.

Fig.7 Interpreted horizons in TWT represent the 2D TWT contour models of the (a) Chorgali, (b) Lockhart, (c) Warcha, and (d) Salt Range formations. The anticline structure has four-way immersion closure, the center part has a shallow time value, and the reverse fault is NE-SW. The contour interval for all graphics is 3 m. The black dot indicates the location of the well concerning the seismic survey. The mapping projection used for all maps is UTM33.

Fig.8 2D depth contour models of the (a) top Eocene limestone Chorgali Formation and (b) upper Paleocene limestone Lockhart Formation, where the shallow depths in the central part of the surface designate the Dhulian anticlinal structure with four-way dip closure.

Fig.9 2D depth contour models of the (a) early Permian arkosic sandstone Warcha Formation and (b) Precambrian Salt Range Formation, where the shallow depths in the central part of the surface designate the Dhulian anticlinal structure with four-way dip closure.

Fig.10 3D structural model of the top Eocene limestone Chorgali Formation.

Fig.11 3D structural model of the top upper Paleocene limestone Lockhart Formation.

Fig.12 3D structural model of the top early Permian arkosic sandstone Warcha Formation.

Fig.13 3D structural model of the top Precambrian saline series Salt Range Formation.

Fig.14 (a) Envelope attribute map, (b) frequency attribute map, and (c) average energy attribute map of the OX-PDK-104 seismic line [Chorgali (red), Lockhart (green), Warcha (pink), Salt Range (blue)].

Fig.15 Wireline log signature and derived petrophysical characteristics of the Chorgali (CG) and Lockhart (LK) formations in well 41.

Fig.16 Wireline log signature and derived petrophysical characteristics of the Chorgali (CG) and Lockhart (LK) formations in well 43.

Fig.17 Wireline log signature and derived petrophysical characteristics of the Chorgali (CG) and Lockhart (LK) formations in well 45.

Fig.18 Petrophysical properties of the Chorgali Formation: (a) volume of shale, (b) average porosity, (c) average effective porosity, and (d) water saturation as a percentage.

Fig.19 Petrophysical properties of the Lockhart Formation: (a) volume of shale, (b) average porosity, (c) average effective porosity, and (d) water saturation as a percentage.

Fig.20 Hydrocarbon saturation (%) of the (a) Chorgali Formation (CG) and (b) Lockhart Formation (LK).

Tab.1 Summary of petrophysical properties estimated from wireline logs for the Chorgali (CG) Formation

Tab.2 Summary of petrophysical properties estimated from wireline logs for the Lockhart (LK) Formation

Tab.3 Average petrophysical properties in all wells and total STOIIP (MMSTB).

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