4-D seismic improves reservoir management decisions. Part 2

Last month`s article described what 4-D Seismic (4-D) is, and its relationship with Seismic Reservoir Monitoring (SRM) and Time-Lapse Seismic (TLS). It also discussed the benefits of using 4-D as a reservoir monitoring tool and how it works. Part 2 of this article begins with a discussion of 4-D data analysis--introduced last month--examining factors affecting the contribution of seismic data to reservoir monitoring. Also discussed are suggestions on how to start a 4-D project and comments on what improvements in relevant technology can reasonably be expected in the near future. The article comprises: 4-D data analysis including seismic repeatability, fluid composition change detection, seismic resolution and detectability, along with why 3-D is repeated; how to conduct a 4-D project including factors to consider when designing a survey, and future directions in data acquisition, processing and analysis, along with integrated technologies and software.