Interpretation Between the Layers; Use of Volume Visualization, Data Isolation Techniques, and Attribute Analysis to Reveal Depositional Architectures from West of Shetlands Area

Geoscientists today are faced with working in areas of increasing depositional and structural complexity and are under increasing pressure to produce and deliver high quality interpretation results within shorter deadlines.

In this presentation we will use volume-based structural and stratigraphic extraction techniques to improve vertical and lateral understanding of depositional systems both from a structural and stratigraphic standpoint. This approach will aid in our understanding of reservoir compartmentalization and heterogeneities. Depositional systems are often segmented and compartmentalized by faulting of various scales. Automated fault extraction techniques produce non-biased results and provide information about fault timing and depositional processes which are not easily observed when performing manual fault interpretation. These techniques provide significant information which increases understanding of reservoir production behavior.

During the study of the West of Shetland's area, we utilize horizon propagation, horizon slicing, proportional horizon slicing, slabs, sequence sculpting, and geobody detection to isolate depositional systems and elements in order to perform focused stratigraphic analysis and interpretation. Opacity rendering techniques are used to further enhance subtle depositional fabric within this complex depositional setting. Coherence Cube, Spectral decomposition, and instantaneous attributes are used to further delineate and understand internal reservoir architecture. Finally, we will evaluate structural delineation techniques to further understand this complex area and visualize its geological history.