Detecting Discontinuities Using Volumetric Seismic Curvature Extraction: Case Study Using Deepwater Niger Delta 3D Seismic Data

Abstract

Techniques for detecting discontinuities by computing the absolute maximum curvature of seismic traces have been applied to a 3D seismic data acquired in the deep-water Niger Delta. Volumetric dip and azimuth of the seismic traces were computed from the primary seismic reflection data and structurally improved to highlight discontinuities based on the changes in dip trends that may be due to structural deformation. The dip data was used with the seismic reflection data to compute the absolute maximum curvature of the seismic traces using the concept of dip-steering. The attributes detected a WNW-ESE trending zone of dip and curvature anomalies representing discontinuities related to folding and thrusting in the area. These anomalies are hardly visible in the seismic reflection data. The workflow demonstrates the usefulness of volumetric seismic dip and curvature computation in rapid analysis of discontinuities prior to detail structural interpretation.