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(gvl3420)New approach to extract and visualize discontinuities from 2D and 3D Seismic and imagery data sets


EMSL Project ID
3420

Abstract

As energy demand continues to increase around the world, and new oil and gas reservoir become increasingly difficult to find, characterize and drill, more and more emphasis is placed on reservoir characterization through imaging, modeling, and information integration to benefit production. For example, an estimate of methane gas and methane carbon resource contained in continental and marine gas-hydrate accumulations within the US is at more than 105 Tcf and roughly 106 Tcf worldwide. The development of new, cost-effective supplies from this resource is of national interest and critical importance to long-term availability of reliable, affordable fuel. The accuracy of this estimation and exploration of it requires the development of advanced scientif tools. Seismic characterization of hydrate structures proves to be a particular challenging problem set because of the lack of lateral continuity. This lack of continuity in seismic data is creating an unprecedented opportunity to reexamine the traditional seismic processing and interpretation methodology in the framework of new development for acoustic properties, laboratory rock-physics and spectroscopy measurements. Ultimately, the characterization of gas hydrates in the highly heterogeneous environment requires better subsurface imaging, their modeling and interpretation of its hosting complex environment in addition to sophisticated well log information, as well as surface characterization. This proposal consists of disciplines from both surface and subsurface imaging and characterization methods. And it addresses such significant issues as to how to extract and best use the information from applying successfully demonstrated and developing new methodologies to better characterize and explore gas hydrates deposits.

Project Details

Project type
Exploratory Research
Start Date
2003-03-06
End Date
2005-03-10
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

George He
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Team Members

Elizabeth Jurrus
Institution
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory