Seismic Inversion for Reservoir Characterization

Seismic Inversion for
Reservoir Characterization
Seismic Inversion for Reservoir Characterization

By : Sigit Sukmono
1. Definition
Up to now, there is no standard definition about Seismic
Inversion. The author defines the seismic inversion as :
Seismic inversion is the technique for creating sub-surface
geological model using the seismic data as input and well data
as controls
Figure 1-3 show simple illustration on inversion method
compared to the conventional seismic records

By : Sigit Sukmono
Basically, the recovering of seismic record is a forward

modeling. In this subject the data input is the AI or reflection
coefficient (RC) series of the earth layer itself which then
forward modeled into the seismic records. The forward
modeling algorithm, basically, is a convolution process
between seismic wavelet passing thru the RC series of the
earth.
On the other hand, the seismic inversion is basically an
inverse modeling, where the input is the seismic record that
inverse modeled into the AI section.

By : Sigit Sukmono
This inverse modeling algorithm, basically, is a deconvolution

between the seismic records and seismic wave which then
produce the AI section.
Figure 4 show various inversion methods. At this moment, the
popular issues in reservoir characterization are the post-stack
amplitude inversion seismic and pre-stack AVO.

By : Sigit Sukmono
FORWARD MODELLING
Input
Process
Output
INVERSE MODELLING
(INVERSION)
SEISMIC
RESPONSE
EARTH MODEL
MODELING
ALGORITHM
SEISMIC
RESPONSE
MODELING
ALGORITHM
Model
control
EARTH MODEL
Figure 1. Diagram of forward and inverse modeling.

By : Sigit Sukmono
Figure 2a. Illustration on the differences between forward and inverse modeling
By : Sigit Sukmono
Earth
The Making
of Seismic
Section
Wavelet
= Seismic Section
BUM
Seismic Section/ Wavelet
AI
Seismic
Inversion
Process
AI
EARTH
Seismic Inversion
For Reservoir
Characterization
Figure 2b. Illustration of seismic inversion process.

By : Sigit Sukmono
SEISMIC
INVERSION METHOD
PRE-STACK
INVERSION
TOMOGRAPHY
TIME
INVERSION
POST-STACK
INVERSION
INVERSION
AMPLITUDE
(AVO)
BANDLIMITED
AMPLITUDE
INVERSION
SPARSE
SPIKE
WAVEFIELD
INVERSION
MODELBASED
Figure 3. Types of inversion techniques (Russel, 1988)

By : Sigit Sukmono
2. AI, RC & Reservoir Characterization

Empirically, the value of seismic amplitude is equal to the
reflected energy recorded by the receiver (geophone,
hydrophone, etc.). The reflection of seismic wave is caused by
the AI change. The ratio between reflected energy and the
incidence energy on normal angle is :
E (reflected) / E (incidence) = RC x RC
RC = (AI2-AI1) / (AI1 + AI2)
AI = . V
(1)
(2)
(3)

By : Sigit Sukmono
where E
RC
AI1
AI2
= Energy
= reflection coefficient
= upper layer acoustic impedance
= lower layer acoustic impedance
A RC series is often called as reflectivity series R(t) or just

reflectivity.
AI contras can be estimated qualitatively from the amplitude
reflection. Larger amplitude associates with stronger
reflection and higher AI contras.

By : Sigit Sukmono
10
AI is rock parameter affected by the type of lithology,

porosity, fluids contents, depth, pressure and temperature.
Therefore, AI can be used as an indicator of lithology,
porosity, hydrocarbon, lithology mapping, flow unit
mapping, and reservoir character quantification.
Naturally, the AI section will give sub-surface geology
image more detail than the conventional seismic section,
because the RC on the conventional seismic section will
image the layer boundary while the AI will image the layer
itself.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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The AI will be controlled mostly by the wave velocity. Figure 5

shows the effect of many factors in velocity. The porosity and
gas content effects are the most effecting factors on P-wave
velocity value. On clastics rock, the porosity depends mostly to
differential pressure which is the difference between overburden
and interstitial pressures. The porosity decreases when the
differential pressure increases in irreversible process. Therefore,
the clastic rock porosity usually depends to the maximum
differential pressure occurs.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Figure 5. The effects of various factors on seismic wave velocity (Hiltermann, 1977)
By : Sigit Sukmono
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Figure 6. The velocity-density relationship on some rock types (Sheriff, 1980)

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Figure 7. (a) Velocity-porosity data from laboratorium result (b) The effects of various factors on porosity (Sheriff, 1980)

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Figure 8. Typical relationship between AI and porosity values.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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When the velocity spectrum is plotted for a different type of

rocks, overlapping occurs. Therefore, except only for
general cases such as associating the low velocity with
clastic rocks and high velocity with carbonate or evaporate,
the velocity data itself cannot be used to conclude the type
of rocks. The high porosity usually related to low velocity
and vice versa. The clastic rocks porosity usually decrease to
the burial depth due to compaction and cementation (Fig.7).

By : Sigit Sukmono
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The seismic inversion technique has been known by the oilgas industry since 1980s. But, could not gain popularity well
because it was considered to be very complicate and difficult
to applied.
In 1990s, the fast development of computer technology
makes the inversion technique become a practical
methodology. Currently, its not considered as a special
method anymore.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Exercise 1. Example of exploration field

Figure 8 shows typical relationship between the AI and
porosity values.
Figure 9 and 10 show the conventional seismic section and AI
on a same area. Based on the well data, its known that the
main reservoir position is as shown by the black boxes in
these figures. Comparing these two sections, which one is
better for delineating reservoir layers and why ?

By : Sigit Sukmono
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In Figure 11, for Fm. Bekasap case, which layer is the most
porous ? Delineates its distribution ?
Figure 12 shows another example of seismic section on
exploration field. Give a comment about the exploration well
position. What type of trap developed here ?
On each section, show the porous and non porous layer. On
each porous layer, analyze further the internal heterogeneity
aspect. Discuss the differences between the AI and
conventional sections capability for analyzing internal
heterogeneity aspect.
By : Sigit Sukmono
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2300
2400
2500
2600
2700
2800
Figure 9. The reflectivity section of Line A. The main source-rock interval is shown as box in the well.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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sb-y
mfs
sb-x
Figure 10a. The AI section of Line A. The main source rock interval is shown as box in the well.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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sb-y
mfs
sb-x
Figure 10b. The AI section of Line B. Determinate the main reservoir rock distribution
By : Sigit Sukmono
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Figure 11. In the Bekasap formation, delineate the most porous layer . Seismic section from Hantoro (2001)

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Figure 12. The conventional amplitude (above) and AI (below) section . The bright color shows lower AI value.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Figure 13. The AI vs conventional section. The bright color shows higher AI value.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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13
18
Top
Boundary
Bottom
Boundary
field to be developed
EOR field candidate
Figure 14. The AI section of Figure 15. The bright color shows lower AI value

By : Sigit Sukmono
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13
18
Figure 15. The amplitude section of Figure 14.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Exercise 2. Development and EOR field examples

Figure 13 shows example of a reservoir layer image on
reflectivity and AI sections. Which part of the layer that
worth to be developed ? Figure 14 and 15 show a seismic
section on the development field (left) and EOR candidate
field (right). Give a comment about the layer that worth to be
develop in the development filed and also the injection well
location for EOR field. Compare the role of AI and
conventional sections for the analysis.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Seismic inversion is a technique to get the quantitative AI

value from reflectivity.
Conventional seismic data (reflectivity, often called as the
amplitude cube) sees the sub-surface object in the form of
boundary plane between the rock layers.
AI sees the sub surface object as the layer itself.
Therefore the AI appearance is closer to the reality and more
comprehensible.

By : Sigit Sukmono
30
The conversion from seismic wiggle into AI : a more

comprehensive display (specially by the manager !!!).
Because the AI section can be converted into reservoir
properties section, then seismic inversion can also be used as
basis for other reservoir management techniques.
The executives getting more understand the important
effectivity of this method for better planning of new well
location without significant extra cost and time. The
popularity of seismic inversion increased rapidly since
the1990s and now its considered as the standard method on
reservoir management.
By : Sigit Sukmono
31
2. Convolutional Seismic Trace Model

Seismic trace is the convolution of earths reflectivity with a
seismic wavelet with addition of noise component.
St = Wt * RCt + nt
(4)
where St
Wt
RC t
nt
= the seismic trace

= a seismic wavelet
= earth reflectivity
= additive noise
When the noise component = zero, it can be simplified into :

St = Wt * RCt
(5)

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Seismic data : digital data where the data sampled at a constant

interval.
If we consider that the reflectivity consist of a RC at each time
sample and the wavelet to be a smooth function in time,
convolution can be thought of as replacing each reflection
coefficient with a scaled wavelet and summing the result (Figure
16).

By : Sigit Sukmono
33
Notice that the convolution with the wavelet tends to smear

the reflection coefficient. That is there is a total loss of
resolution, which is the ability to resolve closely spaced
reflector.
An alternative way of looking at the seismic trace is in the
frequency domain :
S(f) = W(f) x R(f)
(6)
Where
S(f)
W(f)
R(f)
f
= Fourier transformation of st
= Fourier transformation ofwt
= Fourier transformation of rt
= frequency

By : Sigit Sukmono
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It is common to observe the amplitude and phase spectrums

from the individual component.
Figure 17 shows the convolutional model in frequency domain.
Notice that the time domain problem of resolution loss becomes
one of frequency content in the frequency domain. Both the high
and low frequencies of the reflectivity have been severely
reduced by the effect of the seismic wavelet.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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The making of synthetic seismogram, basically, is the

convolution process between the RC and wavelet data. Matrix
operation is often used to do this convolution process. In
physical definition, the convolution describes behavior of how
two energy wavelets combined. For example if there are two
vectors [A] = [a0 a1 a2 ] and [B] = ]b0 b1 b2].
Their convolution are indicated by operator *, for example [C] =
[A] *[B] which will produce the vector [C] = [c0 c1 c2]. The
[C] element is given by :
i
c i = a jb i
j =0

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Reflectivity
Synthetic
Figure 16. The convolution model by using closely spaced reflectivity from the well (center). The wavelet is shown
in the left, while synthetic trace in the right.
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1.00
0.75
0.50
0.25
0
100
50
150
200
250
Hz
(a) Wavelet Spectrum

1.00
0.75
0.50
0.25
0
100
50
150
200
250
Hz
(b) Reflectivity Spectrum

1.00
0.75
0.50
0.25
0
100
50
150
200
250
Hz
(c) Trace Seismic Spectrum
Figure 17. The convolutional model in frequency domain by using three components as on the Figure 16

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Figure 18. The convolution process in time and frequency domains. Notice how the low frequency component start to be effected by
the sampling effect of RC and convolution of wavelet and RC (Jason Geosystem, 1999)

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Figure 19. Illustration showing the effect of low

and high frequency component losses in inversion (
Latimer, 2000)

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Figure 20. The difference of resolution content between seismic, well and inversion result (Jason Geosystem, 1999)

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Figure 21. Illustration showing various frequency contents of well data (Jason Geosystem, 1999)
By : Sigit Sukmono
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For example, if we want to convolute two vectors [A] and [B].

If the [A] = [a0 a1] and [B] = [b0 b1], so the first, second and
third elements of the convolution result are :
c1 = a0b1 +a1b0 ,
c2 = a1b1
c0 = a0b0 ,
or [A] *[B] = [C] = [a0b0 a0b1 +a1b0 a1b1]
Notice that although [A] and [B] each only have two elements,
but [C] has three elements. Generally, if the first vector has n
element, the second vector m element, then the convolution
result vector has n+m-1 element.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Robinson and Treitel (1980) introduced a simple graphic

method to do the two vectors convolution. For example if two
vectors, each with three elements, are convoluted, both are
written in to a row-column product :
b 0 b1
a 0 a0b0 a0b1
a1 a1b0 a1b1
a 2 a2b0 a2b1
b2
a0b2
a1b2
a2b2

By : Sigit Sukmono
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The convolution product is graphically determined as the

summing of diagonal elements
a0b0 a0b1 a0b2

a b a b a b
1 0 1 1 1 2
a2b0 a2b1 a2b2
and the resulting vector [C] has elements :
[a0b0 a1b0 + a0b1 a2b0 + a1b1 + a0b2 a2b1 + a1b2 a2b2 ]

By : Sigit Sukmono
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For example the vector [A] = [1 2 3 5 7 2], while the vector

[B] = [6 2 4], with the graphic way it can be written as :
6
1 6
3 18
5 30
7 42
2 12
4
2
6
10
14
4
4
12
20
28
8
Thus, [A]*[B] = [C] = [6 20 40 64 46 32 8]

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Exercise 3. Synthetic seismogram construction

1.
2.
3.
The next page shows the log Vp, log , log AI and wavelet
data. The wavelet can be written as the matrix :
[W] = [-20 70 -20]
By using the Robinson and Treitel (1980) method, construct
the synthetic seismogram (St) on the given zone in figure,
where St = RCt*Wt
Compare your synthetic seismogram with the computer
calculation result.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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The Role of Well Control and Seismic Stratigraphy

Figure 1 shows that inversion requires well data control. The
required well data are AI and stratigraphy sequence data. The
wells AI value is computed by multiplying the log density and log
velocity.
The wells AI has a quite good vertical resolution (up to 0. 15 m)
but a bad lateral resolution. The seismic AI has good lateral
resolution and coverage (5-10 m). Integrating both will produce an
effective and efficient tools for reservoir characterization.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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The AI and stratigraphy sequence data are required to control

the low and high frequency that lost when reflectivity is
convolved with the wavelet.
Seismic stratigraphy interpretation is required to control the
initial model and trap characterization. It is absolutely required
since seismic reflector is chronostratigraphy surface not
lithostratigraphy

By : Sigit Sukmono
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80000000
amplitude
60000000
40000000
20000000
0
20
40
60
80
100 ms
-20000000
-40000000
Figure 22. The wavelet used, simplified into a matrix form [Wt] = [-20 70 -20]

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Figure 23. The velocity, density and AI logs. Construct St = Wt*RCt on the right diagram.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Compute
RC & AI
Seismic
Synthetic
Figure 24. The synthetic seismogram created by computer

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4. Type of Inversion Method & The Characteristics

There are three types of the main method of seismic inversion :
1) Recursive inversion, 2)model based inversion, 3) Sparsespike inversion.
4.1. Recursive Inversion
It is the simplest inversion method. The basic equation :
i +1Vi +1 iVi AI i +1 AI i
RCi =
=
i +1Vi +1 + iVi AI i +1 + AI i
AIi+1 = AIi (1+RCi) / (1-RCi)
(8)
(9)

By : Sigit Sukmono
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The seismic data is assumed to be equal to the model on the

left of equation (8), and inversed by using the inverse
relation on equation (9). For the n-layer case :
1 + RCi
AI n = AI1
1
RC
i =1
i
n 1
(10)
Exercise
If we know that the AI1 = 1, RC1 = 2/4, RC2 =1/7, and RC3 =
-3/5. Compute AI4 using equation 10.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Figure 25 shows the flowchart of this technique. This

technique is also known as bandlimited inversion because it
invert the seismic trace itself, so the AI trace result has the
same frequency range as the seismic trace.
The main weakness of this technique is that it doesnt
accommodate the geology control and, therefore, it almost
identical to the forward modeling. The correct wavelet is
assumed as zero phase wavelet, so it also will effect the
resulted geology model.
Low and high frequency components from earth reflectivity
which lost when the reflectivity is convoluted with wavelet,
By : Sigit Sukmono
55
also difficult to be recovered with this technique, so the ability

of this technique to laterally predict the AI is not good.
This technique also ignores the seismic wavelet effect and treats
the seismic trace as a RC series which filtered by zero phase
wavelet. The recursive inversion equation also assumes that the
absolute scaling of RC value is correct. Because the equation is
applied recursively from top to bottom, the error effect will be
accumulated. The noise on seismic trace will be interpreted as a
reflection and involved in the inversion.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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SEISMIC SECTION
SCALED TO
REFLECTIVITY
ENTER LOW FREQ COMPONENT
INVERT TO
PSEUDO - IA
CONVERT TO
PSEUDO - VELOCITY
CONVERT TO
DEPTH
DISPLAY
Figure 25. The recursive inversion technique

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Exercise 4. Matrix Operation for Recursive Inversion

Robinson and Treitel (1990) give example on how to do the
recursive inversion using a simple matrix operation.
If the wavelet and seismic trace data are known, theoretically by
using the matrix operation we can compute the RC and AI
values.
For example, in Figures 26-27, it is known that [Wt] = [-2 7 -2]
and [St] = [17 6 3]. the equation Wt* RCt = St can be written in
matrix as :
By : Sigit Sukmono
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If the number of variable that we want to solve is only a few (for

example 3), the equation can be solved using common
substitution. However, if the variables is quite many, we need
special technique, such as Gauss-Jordans elimination method.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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Following is the discussion on the application of this GaussJordans elimination. For example, the following equation
needs to be solved :
2x1 - 7x2 + 4x3 = 9
x1 + 9x2 6x3 = 1
-3x1 + 8x2 + 5x3 = 6
In Gauss-Jordans elimination technique, the equation can be
written as :

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2 7 4 9 1 0 0
1
9 6 1 0 1 0
5 6 0 0 1
3 8
The first row is normalized by divide it using pivot element 2;

and other elements in the first column is reduced into zero by
subtracting the new first row from the old second row, and also
by subtracting 3 times the new first row from the old third row.
The result is :

By : Sigit Sukmono
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1 7/2 2 9/2 1/2 0 0

0 25/2 8 - 7/2 - 1/2 1 0
0 - 5/2 11 39/2 3/2 0 1
Next, normalized the second row by divide it with pivot element

25/2; then reduce other elements in second column into zero by
subtracts -(7/2) times new second row from first row, and (5/2)
times new second row from third row. Notice that the reduction
process now involves the sub diagonal and super diagonal
elements. The result is :

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1 0 - 6/25 88/25 9/25 7/25 0

0 1 16 / 25 - 7/25 - 1/25 2/25 0
47/5
94/5 7/5 1/5 1
0 0
Finally, normalize the third row by divide it with pivot element

47/5; then, reduce the rest element in third column into zero by
subtract (6/25) and-(16/25) times the new third row from first
and second rows. The resulted matrix is [I] x [B-1], where x is
the solution vector and B-1 is the inverse of original matrix
coefficient :

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1 0 0 4 93/235 67/235 6/235

0 1 0 1 13/235 22/235 16/235
1/47
5/47
0 0 1 2 7/47
Thus, we recover the x1 = 4, x2 = 1, x3 = 2.

Exercise
By using this Gauss-Jordans elimination technique, compute
the RC1, RC2 and RC3 , and if known that the AI0 = 6875,
compute the AI1, AI2, and AI3. Compare your result with the
log data.

By : Sigit Sukmono
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80000000
amplitude
60000000
40000000
20000000
0
20
40
60
80
100 ms
-20000000
-40000000
Figure 26. The wavelet used, simplified into matrix [Wt ]= [-2 7 2]

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Seismic
Synthetic
Figure 27. The synthetic seismogram created by computer, simplified into [St] = [17 6 3]
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4.2. Model-Based Inversion

On recursive method, the inversion result is affected by noise,
bad amplitude recovery, and band limited seismic data. It
means, all problems in the data itself will be involved in final
inversion result. To solve this problem, model-based inversion
technique is developed with task-flow as follows (figure 28):
a. Make the initial model and its blocky version by averaging
the AI value according to the given block size.

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2. Convert the AI into reflectivity and convolute with the

estimated wavelet to recover the synthetic model trace.
3. Subtract the seismic synthetic trace from real seismic trace
to get the trace error.
4. Update the AI model and its thickness iteratively by using
the GLI (Generalized Linear Inversion) inversion method,
so the error decreases.
5. Iterate until a good solution obtained.

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In this technique, a direct inversion of seismic data itself is

avoided.
To implement the approach in figure 28, we need to answer
two main questions :
1. How is the mathematical relation between model data and
seismic data ?
2. How to update the model ?

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SEISMIC
TRACE
MODEL
TRACE
EXTRACT
WAVELET
COMPUTE
ERROR
ERROR OK?
ESTIMATE
IMPEDANCE
REVISE
IMPEDANCE
No
Yes
SOLUTION =
ESTIMATE
DISPLAY
Figure 28. The model based inversion technique flow-chart.

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The application of this technique starts by creating an initial

geology model which then updated in several stages.
The geological model is developed into three stages:
1. Add the velocity control (and also density, if necessary) on
the inverted seismic line. This velocity control can be
added from well data or T-VRMS. If one control point is
added, the velocity is extrapolated on two ways. If more
than one control points are added, the velocity is
interpolated arround it.

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2. Stretch and squeeze the log data in the control points to tie
to the seismic data by using reflectivity convoluted with
wavelet from seismic data (Figure 29-31).
3. Add the lateral control of main seismic reflector by picking
and develop the interpolation of well log in such away, so
it match to the reflector. This stage is also known as the
initial model development stage (Figure 32).

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Seismic stratigraphy concept is accommodated in lateral control

development of this initial model.
Figure 33 shows a good well-seismic tie, but a simple
extrapolation on lateral directions will produce box model.
Figure 34 shows a good initial model after accommodating
seismic stratigraphy model in initial model construction.
The discussion above suggests how important is the role of
control point and horizon.
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For control horizon, the best way is utilizing sharp reflector

which related to a certain sequence stratigraphy event as it
represents a certain time line (for example sequence
boundaries, MCS, etc.).
On the 3D data, one important step to recover a good model
control is by gridding and contouring the available points.

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Zero-phase wavelet from seismic
Zero-phase
wavelet
from seismic
& well
(b) Wavelet
fasa konstan
dengan spektrum
amplitudo dari
seismikdata
& sumur
Wavelet after stretch and squeeze

Figure 19. Effect of stretch & squeeze to the wavelet : frequency content between synthetic and seismic is to be
equalized (Russel, 1997)
Basic Concept of Seismic Interpretation

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Figure 30. Example of stretch & squeeze process in well-seismic tie (Russel, 1997)

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Figure 31. Example of stretch & squeeze final result (Russel, 1997)
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Figure 32. Illustration on how to develop the initial model

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Figure 33. Initial model construction without lateral control (Russel, 1997)

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Figure 34. Initial model construction with sequence stratigraphy and well data controls (Russel, 1997)

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After the initial model developed, it can be used for many

purposes, depending on the inversion method used. The
bandlimited inversion only use the low frequency component
model, while on model-based method, the procedure can be
summarized as follows :
1. Make the blocky version from the model by averaging the
AI along the layer. The layer could be as small as 1 sample
(a case where the blocking doesnt happen), but normally
on the range of 3-5 samples.

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2. Change the AI into reflectivity and convolute with seismic

wavelet to produce synthetic trace.
3. Subtracts the synthetic trace from real trace to produce
trace error.
4. Modify the AI and thickness of each layer so the error
decrease.
5. Iterate until a satisfying solution obtained.
The mathematical function is applied by minimizing the
objective function :
J = weight1 x (T-W*RC) + weight2 x ( M-H*RC)

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where : T = seismic trace

W= wavelet
RC= Final Reflection Coefficient
M= Initial AI model estimation
H= integration operator which convolute with the final
reflection coefficient to get the final AI
Weight1 and weight2 determine how both part is balanced. In
stochastic inversion, the objective function used is exactly as in
the equation. But other model-based inversions use only the
second weight, or the stochastic input value changed into zero,
so the seismic trace role dominate the equation.
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If these values is one, the initial model role would be dominated.

The total of first and second weight must equal to one. It is
called as soft-constraint because the final model can change into
any value compared to the initial model.
On the hard-constraint inversion, the algorithm is limited to
keep the final AI value on given boundary by the AI maximum
change.
Practically, the inversion with constraint usually more
preferable than the stochastic inversion because the change of

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maximum impedance parameter is more important than the

change of constraint model parameter on stochastic method.
The block size affects the final inversion result. Initial estimated
model is blocked into a line of blocks in the same size. The final
inversion result may change the block size, meanings that some
blocks become bigger and other smaller, but the average size is
kept constant. Using the smaller block will increase the
conformities between input trace and final synthetic trace.
Figure 34-37 illustrating these stages.

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The number of iteration needed for the solution to converge

depends on the block size. A method to determine whether the
iteration is already sufficient, is by checking the plot error
(Figure 37).
Two main problems of model-based inversion :
1. Sensitive dependency to the wavelet (two different
wavelets can produce the same seismic traces).
2. Non-unique solution. Certain wavelet can give appropriate
solution with the trace on well location.

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Figure 35. The example of inversion result : a) Bandlimited, b) Constrained model-based, c) Stochastic model
based, and d) sparse-spike MLH. Analyze the difference of each method and give the explanation. The example is
taken from Arief (2001)

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Figure 36. Example of trace error

display a) constrained modelbased, b) Stochastic model-based,
and c) Sparse-spike MLH.
Analyze the difference of each
method and give the explanation.
The example is taken from Arief
(2001)

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Figure 37. Illustration showing the iteration number effect to the error value which become constant on iteration
11(from Subekti, 2001)
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Thus, the final inversion result depends on two factors :

1. Initial model quality
2. Seismic data quality
In the best scenario, both factors will support each other and
give the same result.
In the worst scenario, they will give contradicting
information about the sub-surface model, and never give a
satisfying solution.

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4.3. Sparse-Spike Inversion Method

As discussed previously, the recursive method of seismic
inversion is based on the classic deconvolution techniques,
which assume a random reflectivity and zero or minimum-phase
wavelet. They will produce higher frequency wavelet on the
output, but never recover the complete RC series. More recent
deconvolution techniques may be grouped under the category of
sparse-spike method because these methods assume a certain
model of the reflectivity and make a wavelet estimate based on
this model assumption.

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These techniques includes :

1. Maximum-likelihood inversion and deconvolution
2. Norm L1 inversion and deconvolution
3. Minimum entropy deconvolution
From the point of view of seismic inversion, sparse-spike
methods have an advantage over classical methods of
deconvolution because the sparse-spike estimate, with extra
constraints, can be used as a full bandwith estimate of the
reflectivity.

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Figure 38 illustrates the fundamental assumption of maximumlikelihood deconvolution, which is that the earths reflectivity is
composed of a series of large events superimposed on a
Gaussian background of smaller events. This contrasts with
spiking decon, which assumes a perfectly random distribution of
reflection coefficient. The sonic-log reflectivity at the bottom of
figure shows that in fact this model is quite logical.

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The sparse-spike inversion assumes that only the big spike is

important. This method locate the big spike by checking the
seismic trace. Reflectivity series reconstruct one spike each at a
time. The spike added until the trace modeled accurately. The
sparse-spike inversion use the same parameter as the modelbased inversion with constraint. The additional parameter which
must be added is the parameter to determine how may trace
would be determined on each trace. The parameter includes
maximum number of spike and threshold of spike detection.
Each new spike addition, the trace will be modeled accurately.
The new spike is smaller than the previous ones.

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Geologically, the large reflectors correspond

unconformities and major lithologic boundaries.
to
the
On the maximum-likelihood method, the main algorithm is

SLMA (single likely most addition). Figure 39 - 42 illustrate
the principle of this method.
The principle of L1 norm method, basically, is the same as the
MLH method and illustrated further in Figure 43-56.

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Figure 38. The fundamental assumption of the maximum-likelihood method (Russel, 1997)
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Figure 39. The Single Most Likely Addition (SMLA) algorithm illustrated for a simple reflectivity model (Russel, 1997)

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Initial
Wavelet
Estimate
Estimate
Sparse
Reflectivity
Improve
Wavelet
Estimate
Figure 40. Component used for solving both reflectivity and wavelet. Iterate around the loop until converge.

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Figure 41. The procedure for updating the wavelet in the maximum-likelihood method (Russel, 1997)

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Figure 42a. The initial seismic model using extracted wavelet (Russel, 1997)

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Figure 42b. Final deconvolved seismic using zero-phase wavelet (Russel, 1997)

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Figure 43. The philosophy of sparse spike inversion method using L1 norm which update the reflectivity until small error
between real data seismic and the model obtained (Jason Geosystem, 1999)

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Figure 44. The flow-chart of Constraint Sparse Spike inversion method in frequency domain (Jason Geosystem, 1999)

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Figure 45. Filter design for final inversion result. Based on the figure, 0-5 Hz range of low frequency from geology method and 5-50
Hz range from inversion result are taken to get the final acoustic impedance result (the example taken from Kahar, 2000)

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Wavelet 1
Figure 46. The estimation result of wavelet-1 using seismic data and the quality control (Kahar, 2000)

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Wavelet 2
Figure 47. The estimation result of wavelet-2 using seismic data, well data and also the quality control (Kahar, 2000)
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Figure 48. The tying process of well data B2 to seismic data using wavelet-1 (Kahar, 2000)
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Figure 49. The tying process of well data B2 to seismic data using wavelet-2 (Kahar, 2000)
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Figure 50. Example of residual error plot using wavelet 1 and 2 (Kahar, 2000). Which wavelet gives better result ?

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Figure 51. Illustration of seismic stratigraphy control in the initial model construction (Pendrel & Riel, 2000)

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Figure 52. The geology impedance model. Log AI from the well is interpolated by following the control horizon
in Figure 51 (Pendrel & Riel, 2000)
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Figure 53. Low frequency (0-10 Hz) component from impedance model in Figure 52. This frequency component will be united with
the inversion result to the get sub-surface image with complete frequency spectrum (Pendrel & Riel, 2000)

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Figure 54. Illustration on how to control the hard constraint. The constraint range determine how far the solution can be varied against
the well data (Pendrel & Riel, 2000)

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Figure 55. The illustration of final inversion result compared to the AI log (Pendrel & Riel, 2000)

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Figure 56. The illustration of final inversion result after combined with low frequency model (Pendrel & Riel, 2000). Determine
which layer in the reef potential to be developed

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5.Practical Guide for Selecting the Inversion Method

Until now, there are no standard guidance in selecting the best
inversion method. The usual practice is try and compare the
error on each method.
Sukmono (2000) gave practical guide about this by associating
the works with the characteristic of seismic data in each
exploration stage.
In the exploration stage, the main target is to detect the target
horizon, map it and make initial estimate on the reserve size.

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If there is no well data in this stage, the inversion will produce

relative AI value. Even the simplest inversion method, that is
recursive, will be useful to determine the first exploration well
location and predict the drilling problems, such as shallow gas
or overpressure zone. If the well data is available, the relative
AI relative can be converted into absolute AI.
If the seismic used is quite noisy, the sparse-spike is not
recommended, because the noise will be carried into the
inversion result. If the seismic data has a good quality and the
well data control is sufficient, the selection of model-based
method or the sparse-spike method will depend on the reservoir
heterogeneity degree.
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If the reservoir heterogeneity degree is quite high or it contains

many thin beds, the model-based is better than sparse-spike
method, because the sparse-spike result will loose subtle
reflection detail such as on the model-based method.
On the other hand, if the well data control is relatively rare, the
sparse-spike method will give the best solution, because in
model-based with few well control, a complete solution may not
be recovered (there is no solution convergence) and its possible
that more than one model match with the control data (non
unique solution).

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Exercise 5. Inversion Quality Analysis

Figure 57 shows the reflectivity and its AI sections. The AI
section recovered by applying the sparse-spike inversion
method. The target reservoir is reef.
Show one character of DHI and next exploration well location.
Is the inversion result is correct? Give the explanation.

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Figure 57. Reflectivity and its AI sections. Give comment about the AI section quality and explanation.

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Exercise 6. Reservoir Quality Evaluation

Figure 59 shows the reflectivity and related AI sections. The AI
section recovered by applying the sparse-spike inversion
method. The interval of target reservoir is also shown. Figure 58
shows the cross-plot between AI, porosity and gamma ray.
How is the inversion result quality? Give the explanation. Based
on the cross-plot result, Delineate a reservoir with good-quality,
e.g. the one which has high sand/shale ratio and porosity.

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9900
8500
7100
5700
7000
AI
8000
Figure 58. The cross-plot of AI vs porosity and gamma-ray

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9400
8400
7400
Figure 59. The reflectivity and its AI sections. Give comment about the AI quality and explanation.

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Exercise 7
AI for Channels Sandstone Reservoir Mapping-Exploration
Field Case
This exercise is taken from Syarif s (2000). Figure 60 is the
example of well-seismic tie on Well-1. The reservoir mapped
here is sand-1.
Figure 61 shows the correlation between well AI and seismic
AI. Figure 62 shows correlation between AI and seismic
amplitude, while Figure 63 shows correlation between well AI,
depth and type of lithology.

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Figure 64 shows reservoir minimum-amplitude map with 20 ms

window width (10 ms above and below the sand-1). On the
figure also shown the location of where the seismic inversion is
run and the result is shown on Figure 65. Notice that the seismic
inversion only implemented on the area with good well control
and the result is used for mapping the reservoir on other area
which has relatively few well data control.
Question
In Figure 64 and 65, show the sand-1, coal-1, and shale-1 areas.

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Sand-1
20 ms
Figure 60. Examole of well-seismic tie in Well-1

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Figure 61. Correlation between Seismic AI vs Well AI in Well-1

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Figure 62. Correlation between Seismic AI vs Seismic Amplitude in Well-1

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IA coal-1 = 9000-19000, IA sand-1 = 19000-23500, IA shale-1 : 24000-33000 ft/s * g/cc
shale-1
coal-1
sand-1
Figure 63. Correlation between Well AI vs Depth vs.Lithology type in well-1

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-20000
-17500
-15000
-12500
-10000
-7500
-5000
-2500
0
Figure 64. Minimum amplitude of sand-1 with 20 ms window. The blue box shows area where the inversion process was held

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Figure 65. The average AI value of sand-1 with 20 ms window

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Exercise 7. AI for identification of Lithology type.

Figure 67 showing the reflectivity and its AI sections. AI section
is recovered by applying sparse-spike inversion. The target
reservoir interval also shown. Figure 66 showing the cross-plot
between AI and density.
How is the inversion result quality? Give explanation. Based on
cross-plot result, delineate the good reservoir, e.g, the ones
which has high sand/shale ratio and high porosity.

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Figure 66. The cross-plot between AI and density (Verdin, 1999) for overall compartment.

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Figure 67. The reflectivity (right) and its AI (left) sections. The Log shows sandstone fraction . This line is about 7 km (Verdin, 1999)

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Figure 68. The density section converted from AI section. As a comparison, the AI section is given at background. The black wiggle
shows original seismic trace (Verdin, 1999). Show the porous sandstone, tight sands and clay/tuff.

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Exercise 8
Seismic Inversion for Delineating Development Well Location
Figure 69 shows the AI and the porosity conversion chart.
Figure 70 showing porosity, NES and oil-isopach from well data
charts.
Delineate development well location based on these figures.
Compare if you dont have the inversion result for this analysis.

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Figure 69. The average seismic AI (left) and AI porosity (right). Low AI and porosity values are shown in bright colors.

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Figure 70. a) Effective isoporosity (PhiE), b) oil isopach from well data. High value is shown by bright color.

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Exercise 9
Seismic Inversion for Reservoir Carbonate CharacterizationExploration Field Case
Figure 71. Example of well-seismic tie in Well-1. the target
reservoir interval is shown.
Figure 72. Time structure map of top X.
Figure 73. Check-shot data.
Figure 74. Depth structure map of top X.
Figure 75. Cross-plot of AI vs porosity.
Figure 76. Average AI with 10 ms window width below the top
X.
Figure 77. The AI section through Well-1
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Questions
1.
2.
Which part of the X reservoir is best to be developed ?

Suggest two best well development location !

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top X
bottom X
Figure 71. The example of well-seismic tie in Well-1

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Figure 72. The time structure map of top X

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Figure 73. The check-shot data which used to convert the time structure map into depth structure map
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Figure 74. The depth structure map of top X

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Figure 75. The relationship between well AI and well porosity

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Figure 76. The average AI with window width of 10 ms below the top X

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Well-1
Top X
Bottom X
Figure 77. The AI section through Well-1

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References
1. Angeleri, G.P. and Carpi, R., 1982, Porosity Prediction
from Seismic Data : Geophysical Prospecting, v.30, 580607.
2. Brown, A.R., 1991, Interpretation of Three-Dimensional
Seismic Data, AAPG Memoir 42, 3rd ed., AAPG.
3. Galbraith, J.M., and Millington, G.F., 1979, Low
Frequency Recovery in The Inversion of Seismograms :
Journal of CSEG, v. 15, p.30-39.
4. Johnston, D.H., 1992, Introduction to Reservoir
Management in Reservoir Geophysics, ed : R.E. Sheriff :
SEG
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5. Kallweit, R.S. and L.C. Wood, 1982, The Limits of

Resolution of Zero-phase Wavelets : Geophysics, v.47, p.
1035-1046.
6. Kelkar, M., 1982, Applied Geostatistics for Reservoir
Characterization, The University of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
7. Lindseth, R.O., 1979, Synthetic Sonic Logs - a Process for
Stratigraphic Interpretation : Geophysics, v.44, p.3-26.
8. Lines, L.R. and Treitel, S., 1984, A Review of LeastSquares Inversion and Its Application to Geophysical
Problems : Geophysical Prospecting, v.32, p.159-186.
9. Martinez, R., 1985, Expand Abstracts of The SEG
Annual Meeting in Washington, 461-464.
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149
10. Meckel, L.D.Jr. and A.K.Nath, 1977, Geologic

Considerations for Stratigraphic Modelling and
Interpretation, in C.E. Payton, ed., Seismic Stratigraphy
Applications to Hydrocarbon Exploration : AAPG Memoir
26, 417-438.
11. Neidell, N.S. and E. Poggiagliolmi, 1977, Stratigraphic
Modelling and Interpretation - Geophysical Principles
and Techniques, in C.E. Payton, ed., Seismic Stratigraphy
Application to Hydrocarbon Exploration : AAPG
Memoir 417-438.
12. Oldenburg, D.W., Scheuer, T and Levy, S., 1983,
Recovery of The Acoustic Impedance from Reflection
Seismograms, Geophysics, v.48, p. 1318-1337.
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150
13. Richardson, J.G., and Sneider, R.M., 1992, Synergism in

Reservoir Management, in Reservoir Geophysics, ed :
Sherrif, R.E., SEG.
14. Russel, B.H., 1988, Introduction to Seismic Inversion
Methods (ed : S.N. Domenico), SOC. Of Exploration
Geophysicists.
15. Russel, B.H., 1995, Introduction to Seismic Inversion
Methods, STRATA workshop.
16. Russel, B.H. and Lindseth, R.O., The Information
Content of Synthetic Sonic Logs A Frequency Domain
Approach, EAEG, Frances.
17. Sheriff, R.E., 1992, Reservoir Geophysics, SEG.

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151
18. Sneider, R.M., 1990, The Economic Value of A

Synergistic Organization : presented at the 1990 Archie
Conference, Houston.
19. Sukmono, S., 1999a, Interpretasi Seismic Refleksi,
Jurusan Teknik Geofisika ITB.
20. Sukmono, S., 1999b, Seismic Stratigrafi, Jurusan Teknik
Geofisika ITB.
21. Yilmaz, O., 1987, Seismic Data Processing, Society of
Exploration Geophysicists.

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152

Seismic Inversion for Reservoir Characterization

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