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Three-dimensional visualization of normal fault segmentation and its implication for fault growth

Stanford University, Stanford, California, U.S.

Eric May

Chevron Overseas Petroleum Incorporation, San Ramon, California, U.S.

Corresponding author: aydin@pangea.stanford.edu

The first 20% of the full text of this article appears below.

Segmentation is a fundamental feature for all kinds of faults at different scales. It has a significant impact on hydrocarbon migration and flow for nonsealing faults, and on resevoir fluid estimates and compartmentalization for sealing faults. In spite of these benefits, application of the knowledge of fault segmentation to hydrocarbon exploration and production is limited due to poor seismic data quality, resolution, and lack of understanding of how this knowledge can be applied. Here is a case study from the Niger Delta of a normal fault seen on 3-D where we apply a methodology to visualize fault segments and their slip distribution patterns using seismic and well data.

The data set used includes a reprocessed full-fold 3-D seismic survey from offshore Niger Delta and well data from a developed oil field (Okan) in the same basin (Figures 1 and 2). The study focused on one fault system (fault X) that has excellent seismic images and numerous wireline logs from wells (Figure 2).

View larger version (27K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 1. Okan Field and a cross-section of the Niger Delta.

View larger version (100K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 2. Base map of Okan Field showing trace of fault X at one of the mapped time horizons. Structure contour is progressively higher from blue to green to yellow to red. Red lines are directional wells; red points are straight vertical wells. The fault dips to the southwest. Note many wells cross the fault. Stratigraphic data from wells Y and Z were used in Figure 3.

View larger version (143K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Figure 3. (a) The major fault segments interpreted on a seismic dip line and the wells providing log data. Segments are numbered from 1 at the base to 14 at the top. Note how the relay width and segment overlap areas vary systematically from base to top. (b) Section of the line in Figure 3a (yellow box) that shows the spatial . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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