Seismic driven probabilistic classification of reservoir facies for static reservoir modelling: a case history in the Barents Sea

In this paper we present a case history of seismic reservoir characterization where we estimate the probability of facies from seismic data and simulate a set of reservoir models honouring seismically‐derived probabilistic information. In appraisal and development phases, seismic data have a key role in reservoir characterization and static reservoir modelling, as in most of the cases seismic data are the only information available far away from the wells. However seismic data do not provide any direct measurements of reservoir properties, which have then to be estimated as a solution of a joint inverse problem. For this reason, we show the application of a complete workflow for static reservoir modelling where seismic data are integrated to derive probability volumes of facies and reservoir properties to condition reservoir geostatistical simulations. The studied case is a clastic reservoir in the Barents Sea, where a complete data set of well logs from five wells and a set of partial‐stacked seismic data are available. The multi‐property workflow is based on seismic inversion, petrophysics and rock physics modelling. In particular, log‐facies are defined on the basis of sedimentological information, petrophysical properties and also their elastic response. The link between petrophysical and elastic attributes is preserved by introducing a rock‐physics model in the inversion methodology. Finally, the uncertainty in the reservoir model is represented by multiple geostatistical realizations. The main result of this workflow is a set of facies realizations and associated rock properties that honour, within a fixed tolerance, seismic and well log data and assess the uncertainty associated with reservoir modelling.     

Remote sensing and ground‐based measurements of evapotranspiration in an extreme cold Patagonian desert

Accurate estimates of seasonal evapotranspiration (ET) at different temporal and spatial scales are essential for understanding the biological and environmental determinants of ecosystem water balance in arid regions and the patterns of water utilization by the vegetation. For this purpose, remote sensing ET estimates of a Patagonian desert in Southern Argentina were verified with field measurements of soil evaporation and plant transpiration using an open top chamber. Root distribution and seasonal variation in soil volumetric water content were also analysed. There was a high correlation between remote sensing and field measurements of ecosystem water fluxes. A substantial amount of the annual ET occurred in spring and early summer (73.4 mm) using winter rain stored in the soil profile and resulting in water content depletion of the upper soil layers. A smaller amount of annual ET was derived from few rainfall events occurring during the mid or late summer (41.4 mm). According to remote sensing, the 92.9% of the mean annual precipitation returns to the atmosphere by transpiration or evaporation from the bare soil and by canopy interception. Only 7.1% infiltrates to soil layers deeper than 200 cm contributing to the water table recharge. Fourier time series analysis, cross‐correlation methods and multiple linear regression models were used to analyse 11 years of remote sensing data to assess determinants of water fluxes. A linear model predicts well the variables that drive complex ecosystem processes such as ET. Leaf area index and air temperature were not linearly correlated to ET because of the multiple interaction among variables resulting in time lags with ET variations and thus these two variables were not included in the linear model. Soil water content, the fraction of photosynthetic active radiation and precipitation explained 86% of the ET monthly variations. The high volumetric water content and the small seasonal variations at 200‐cm depth were probably the result of little water uptake from deeper soil horizons by roots with low hydraulic conductivity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A look at global seismicity during 1999 in the longer-term time frame

An analysis and discussion of the main features and effects of the 1999global seismicity based especially on the inferred patterns of strong(M_w 7) earthquakes using NEIC/USGS data is presented.Based on the above data and their statistical features (see also Table 1)one may state that from the point of view of occurrence rate (number/yr)the 1999 global seismicity was fairly regular, but from the moment (orenergy) release standpoint it is well under the long-term average. The spacepartition was again rather typical and time distribution was quasi-Poissonian,noteworthy, the 1999 worldwide seismicity had an anomalously high deathtoll, to be discussed later. Two main new insights are brought by ouranalysis: (i) a (mega)quiescence along the whole south American segmentof circum-Pacific earthquake belt, which was inferred and rated asanomalous while it was underway and which, in retrospect, ended with thegreat (M_w = 8.4 HRV) 2001 Arequipa (Peru) event; (ii) an intriguingmonotonous rate decrease within only magnitude class 5.0 to 5.9 duringthe analyzed period (i.e., 1990–1999).     

Geophysical Survey and Archaeological Data at Masseria Grasso (Benevento,Italy)

The use of geophysical methods in metrology is a significant tool within the wide research topic of landscape archaeology context. Since 2011, the Ancient Appia Landscapes Project aims to recognize dynamics, shapes and layout of the ancient settlement located along the Appia road east of Benevento, and cyclical elements and human activities that influenced the choice of landscapes. The integration of geophysical data with an archaeological infra-site analysis allowed us to investigate the area of Masseria Grasso, about 6 km from Benevento (Campania region, Italy). In this framework, an archaeogeophysical approach (Geomagnetic and Ground Penetrating Radar) was adopted for detecting anomalies potentially correlated with buried archaeological evidences. The geomagnetic results have given a wide knowledge of buried features in a large survey highlighting significant anomalies associated with the presence of buildings, roads and open spaces. These geophysical results permitted us to define the first archaeological excavations and, successively, a detailed Ground Penetrating Radar approach has been provided highlighting the rooms and paved spaces. The overlap between archaeological dataset and geophysical surveys has also allowed recognizing the path of the ancient Appia road near the city of Benevento and hypothesize the settlement organization of the investigated area, which has been identified with the ancient Nuceriola.     

Andean orogenic signature in the Quaternary sandy barriers of Southernmost Brazilian Passive Margin-Paradigm as a source area

Multiple source provenance of sediments and submarine fan formation are herein investigated based on Quaternary sandy barriers of the Brazilian Southernmost Coastal Plain.LA-ICP-MS dating on 1625 detrital zircons from marine and aeolian facies sands of four successive lagoon-barrier systems are analyzed.The characterization of Archean to Pleistocene zircons into a younger Andean(22 ± 4 Ma to 1 ± 1 Ma,48 from 1625),Mesozoic to Paleozoic,and Mesoproterozoic(479 from 1622) populations suggest that the main feeding of sediments to the coastal plain occurred through the La Plata River drainage system.The significant contribution of sediments is transported from the mouth of La Plata River northward by longshore circulation(littoral drift).Minor contributions are also recognized as.a farther source associated with the Patagonia drainage and nearby source related to the Uruguay/Rio Grande do Sul Shield and the Paraná Basin,drained by the Camaqu? and Jacuí rivers.The latter one is recognized by the contribution from Neoproterozoic to Early Paleozoic,and some Paleoproterozoic and Archean zircon grains.The definition of the sources of clastic sediments allows inferences about the origination of Rio Grande Fan where both the cold Falkland and the warm Brazil currents played a major role.     

Correlations of cosmic tidal fields

We study correlations amongst tidal fields originated by the large-scale distribution of matter in the Universe. The two-point tidal correlation is described as a rank-4 tensor, the elements of which can be written in terms of four fundamental scalar functions ranging, with respect to the spatial separation, from purely transversal to purely longitudinal correlations. Tidal fields, on both galaxy and cluster scales, are revealed to be correlated over distances larger than the mass–density correlation length, although traceless tidal fields show anti-correlation between diagonal terms along orthogonal directions. The cross-correlation between mass and tidal field is also analysed. These results are relevant for galaxy formation and the interpretation of large-scale weak lensing phenomena.     

U–Pb–Hf isotopes and trace elements of metasomatic zircon delimit the evolution of neoproterozoic Capané ophiolite in the southern Brasiliano Orogen

The Capané ophiolite is a fragment of oceanic lithosphere obducted into the Ediacaran Porongos fold and thrust belt, southern Brasiliano Orogen. A studied rodingite blackwall contained in serpentinite has metasomatic zircon that displays multiple U–Pb ages from Tonian to Cryogenian (793 ± 0.9, 757 ± 2.1, 715 ± 2.2 Ma). The ages are interpreted as corresponding to multiple alteration events in the mantle. Multiple U–Pb–Hf isotopes and trace element analyses on the same crystals by laser ablation were controlled by backscatered electron images. Hf isotopes indicate zircon origin from a depleted mantle (εHf = +15 to +10.7), and trace elements point to an oceanic origin. The Capané ophiolite thus marks the evolution of the Adamastor ocean during the Tonian and Cryogenian, a significant result for the reconstruction of Rodinia and Gondwana supercontinents.