Application of maximum likelihood and model-based seismic inversion techniques: a case study from K-G basin, India

Abstract

Seismic inversion is a geophysical technique used to estimate subsurface rock properties from seismic reflection data. Seismic data has band-limited nature and contains generally 10–80 Hz frequency hence seismic inversion combines well log information along with seismic data to extract high-resolution subsurface acoustic impedance which contains low as well as high frequencies. This rock property is used to extract qualitative as well as quantitative information of subsurface that can be analyzed to enhance geological as well as geophysical interpretation. The interpretations of extracted properties are more meaningful and provide more detailed information of the subsurface as compared to the traditional seismic data interpretation. The present study focused on the analysis of well log data as well as seismic data of the KG basin to find the prospective zone. Petrophysical parameters such as effective porosity, water saturation, hydrocarbon saturation, and several other parameters were calculated using the available well log data. Low Gamma-ray value, high resistivity, and cross-over between neutron and density logs indicated the presence of gas-bearing zones in the KG basin. Three main hydrocarbon-bearing zones are identified with an average Gamma-ray value of 50 API units at the depth range of (1918–1960 m), 58 API units (2116–2136 m), and 66 API units (2221–2245 m). The average resistivity is found to be 17 Ohm-m, 10 Ohm-m, and 12 Ohm-m and average porosity is 15%, 15%, and 14% of zone 1, zone 2, and zone 3 respectively. The analysis of petrophysical parameters and different cross-plots showed that the reservoir rock is of sandstone with shale as a seal rock. On the other hand, two types of seismic inversion namely Maximum Likelihood and Model-based seismic inversion are used to estimate subsurface acoustic impedance. The inverted section is interpreted as two anomalous zones with very low impedance ranging from 1800 m/s*g/cc to 6000 m/s*g/cc which is quite low and indicates the presence of loose formation.