Reflections are generated when there is a change in acoustic

impedance
-Change in velocity & density
-Change in lithology/fluid type
Lithologic Changes occur:
Across stratal surfaces: Bed boundaries to uncomformities
Laterally with changes in depositional environments/facies
Reflection features used in Mapping:
Reflection Geometry
Deposition Processes
Seismic Amplitude
Impedance Contrasts
Bed Spacing/Tuning
Fluid Content
Reflection Continuity
Lateral Stratal Continuity
Depositional Processes
Wavelet Frequency
Bed Thickness
Fluid Content
Vocabulary
Depositional Sequence: Stratigraphic unit composed of related strata
and ounded at its top and base by unconformities or correlative
conformities
Seismic Facies Unit: 3D seismic unit composed of groups of reflections
whose parameters differ from those of adjacent facies units
Seismic Facies Analysis: Description and geologic interpretation based
on seismic reflection parameters.
Interpretation: What are we looking for?
Seismic sequences that define geologic boundaries
Truncations, on-lapping, stratal relationships
Terminations due to faults
Internal bed orms indicate different facies within sequences
Termination Patterns:
At Base of a sequence
At tope of a sequence
(Onlap)
(Erosional)

Toplap

Downlap

Internal Reflection Patterns:

Simple
Progradational
Parallel
Shingled

Complex
Mounded

Subparallel

Sigmoid

Hummocky

Divergent

Oblique

Deformed

Summary:
Seismic Facies analysis is done within a sequence stratigraphic
framework
Seismic facies are an association of seismic reflection
parameters including: termination patterns, geometry amplitude,
continuity and frequency
Reflection geometries may be directly related to depositional
process (clinoforms)
The lateral association of seismic facies, as depicted on a seismic
facies map, is used to interpret depositonal environments, and
from the environments, probable lithologies
Seismic attributes can be coupled with reflection geometries to
get a fairly detailed lithofacies maps.
Stratigraphic Analysis:
Seismic Observations are turned into Stratigraphic Predictions
using Depositional Models
Strengths of Seismic Data:

Good areal coverage

Able to Image major depositional units
Able to ID potential source, reservoir, and seal units
Provides a stratigraphic framework within which other data can
be understood (well data, basin fill history, HC systems)
Cons of Seismic Data:
Limited Vertical and lateral resolution Cant resolve small
features
Stratigraphic interpretation is limited by the quality of the
seismic data/imaging
Seismic responses are non-unique (low amp could be a massive
sand or a thick shale)
In new areas, we often have to jump correlate from adjacent
outcrops or basins
Post-depositional erosion and/or structuring can hamper
stratigraphic correlations and paleo-depositional reconstructions
Stratigraphy Helps in Structural Analysis by:
Constraining the magnitude of displacement across faults
Defnining reservoir, trap, and source geometry
Giving timing info about deposition and deformation
Controlling location of detachement surfaces
Enabling us to assess the capacity of faults to seal HC colums

Cons of Seismic Data

Limited vertical and lateral resolution: cant resolve small features

Stratigraphic interpretation is limited by the quality of the seismic data/imaging

Seismic responses are non-unique e.g., low amplitude could be a massive sand
or a thick shale

In new areas, we often have to jump correlate from adjacent outcrops or basins

Post-depositional erosion and/or structuring can hamper stratigraphic correlations

and paleo- depositional reconstructions

Fault ID:
Must tie on lines that intersect or the interpretation is not internally
consistent.