Methodology and application of seismic attributes in modeling facies for potentially gas producing areas. Santa Cruz-Jibacoa oilfields area, Cuba

Abstract

Historically the Cuban exploration strategy has been characterized by discovering productive oil intervals and to use its associated gas by conventional methods. The objective of this study was to create a methodology to detect reservoirs with free gaseous hydrocarbons contain, by seismic attributes. Were chosen two oilfields located in the Cuban Northern Oil Belt; (main Cuban oil region); Santa Cruz del Norte (learning pattern) and Jibacoa oil fields (predictive pattern). Were studied the Vega Alta Formation, a synogenic sequence of Paleocene-Middle Eocene age, with great lithological complexity and considered as a regional seal, but paradoxically, with significant hydrocarbons presence. A microfacial analysis was carried out, with the information of the cuttings, building a ternary model for clastite rocks and another model for carbonated and siliceous rocks. Were studied 1921 m by cuttings samples, predominantly clastic lithofacies. An exploratory data analysis was carried out, which permitted obtaining information about the unknown relationship between lithofacies and seismic attributes. The seismic signatures of lithofacial classification were determined, and with the assistance of data mining methods were adjusted the seismic attributes to differentiate lithofacies. These were discretized in 4130 standard patterns intervals. Probability values were calculated applying a geostatistics sequential simulation algorithm. The inverse task (conversion of seismic attributes to lithofacies) was executed, through a supervised classification, into a 350000 cells matrix (approximately 43750 km³), with the selected seismic attributes and finally, an exploration risk analysis was calculated for estimate the economic strategy.