Palaeostructure and palaeogeography from 3D seismic interpretation; examples from the Permian Basin in Poland

The Permian Basin is the main target of exploration in western Poland. Porous Rotliegendes sandstone and two Zechstein carbonate formations are the most important reservoirs. Every depositional system includes different lithofacies, and interrelations create patterns of trap/reservoir and sealing horizons. Combination traps, with both structural and facial elements involved in their closure, create a comparatively high risk for exploration. Palaeogeographic analysis based on 3D seismic data presents opportunities for improved interpretation leading to a significant reduction of risk in exploration and development drilling. There is no direct information in 3D seismic data, but they allow us to reproduce the palaeogeography and successive stages of structural redevelopment by means of flattened seismic sections and construction of the corresponding maps, i.e. pseudo-palaeogeographical maps.