Rock physics template (RPT) analysis of well logs and seismic data for lithology and fluid classification in Cambay Basin

The Cambay Basin is 450-km-long north–south-trending graben with an average width of 50 km, having maximum depth of about 7 km. The origin of the Cambay and other Basins on the western margin of India are related to the break up of the Gondwana super-continent in the Late-Triassic to Early-Jurassic (215 ma). The structural disposition of the Pre-Cambrian basement—a complex of igneous and metamorphic rocks exposed in the vicinity of the Cambay Basin—controls its architecture. The principal lineaments in the Basin are aligned towards NE-SE, ENE-WSW and NNW-SSE, respectively. Rock physics templates (RPTs) are charts and graphs generated by using rock physics models, constrained by local geology, that serve as tools for lithology and fluid differentiation. RPT can act as a powerful tool in validating hydrocarbon anomalies in undrilled areas and assist in seismic interpretation and prospect evaluation. However, the success of RPT analysis depends on the availability of the local geological information and the use of the proper model. RPT analysis has been performed on well logs and seismic data of a particular study area in mid Cambay Basin. Rock physics diagnostic approach is adopted in the study area placed at mid Cambay Basin to estimate the volume in the reservoir sands from 6 wells (namely; A, B, C, D, E and F) where oil was already encountered in one well, D. In the study area, hydrocarbon prospective zone has been marked through compressional (P wave) and shear wave (S wave) impedance only. In the RPT analysis, we have plotted different kinds of graphical responses of Lame’s parameters, which are the function of P-wave velocity, S-wave velocity and density. The discrete thin sand reservoirs have been delineated through the RPT analysis. The reservoir pay sand thickness map of the study area has also been derived from RPT analysis and fluid characterization. Through this fluid characterization, oil-bearing thin sand layers have been found in well E including well D. The sand distribution results prove that this methodology has able to perform reservoir characterization and seismic data interpretation more quantitatively and efficiently.     

Effective medium theory and multiple linear regression-based velocity estimation in syn-rift clastic sequence of the Krishna–Godavari basin,India

An inclusion model, based on the Kuster–Toksöz effective medium theory along with Gassmann theory, is tested to forward model velocities for fluid-saturated rocks. A simulated annealing algorithm, along with the inclusion model, effectively inverts measured compressional velocity (V_P) to achieve an effective pore aspect ratio at each depth in a depth variant manner, continuously along with depth. Early Cretaceous syn-rift clastic sediments at two different depth intervals from two wells [well A (2160–2274 m) and well B (5222–5303 m)], in the Krishna–Godavari basin, India, are used for this study. Shear velocity (V_S) estimated using modelled pore aspect ratio offers a high correlation coefficient (>0.95 for both the wells) with measured data. The modelled pore aspect ratio distribution suggests the decrease in pore aspect ratio for the deeper interval, mainly due to increased effective vertical stress. The pore aspect ratio analysis in relation to total porosity and volume of clay reveals that the clay volume has insignificant influence in shaping the pore geometry in the studied intervals. An approach based on multiple linear regression method effectively predicts velocity as a linear function of total porosity, the volume of clay and the modelled pore-space aspect ratio of the rock. We achieved a significant match between measured and predicted velocities. The correlation coefficients between measured and modelled velocities are considerably high (approximately 0.85 and 0.8, for V_P and V_S, respectively). This process indicates the possible influence of pore geometry along with total porosity and volume of clay on velocity.     

Overpressure zone under the Krishna–Godavari offshore basin: geophysical implications for natural hazard in deeper-water drilling

Accurate knowledge of pore pressure is fundamental to any safe and economic well construction. Here, we present results that are indicative of over pressure zones (OPZ) for five wells drilled under the Krishna–Godavari offshore basin (KGOB) at the Eastern Continental Margin of India (ECMI). OPZ in areas of crustal flexuring can act as potential geohazard while drilling. These wells locate at water depths of 515–1,265 m, where their penetrated-vertical-depth reaches up to 3,960 m in clastic sediments. pore pressure gradient (PPG) and fracture pressure gradient (FPG) are estimated from acoustic log for all five wells, while the Normal Compaction Trend (NCT) and pore pressure are calculated from Miller’s sonic equation. Top of OPZ is indicated by values that are higher than the NCT; departure from NCT is observed at depth intervals of 1,320–2,180 m, 1,700–3,960 m, 1,600–1,880 m, 1,420–2,609 m and 2,080–2,200 m for the respective Wells 1 through 5. The pressure data from Modular Dynamic Tester (MDT) agree well with the pore pressure values obtained from the logs. The Overburden Gradient (OBG), PPG and FPG values increase rather slowly with total depth in deeper-water of KGOB when compared to the wells located in shallow water depth. Consequently, the operating safety margin between PPG and FPG decreases as the water depth increases, and this clearly leads to an increase in the number of casing strings to reach the target depth. Certain basic conclusions on the potentiality of natural hazard for drilling operations are drawn on the basis of these results, but evidently, further studies are warranted to present a more composite picture of OPZ under KGOB.     

Evaluation of crustal and upper mantle structures using receiver function analysis: ISM broadband observatory data

A three-component broadband seismograph is in operation since January 2007 at the Indian School of Mines (ISM) campus, Dhanbad. We have used the broadband (BB) seismograms of 17 teleseismic events (M ≥ 5.8) recorded by this single BB station during 2008–09 to estimate the crust and upper mantle discontinuities in Dhanbad area which falls in the peninsular India shield. The converted wave technique and the Receiver function analysis are used. A 1-D velocity model has been derived using inversion. The Mohorovicic (Moho) discontinuity (crustal thickness) below the ISM observatory is estimated to be ∼41 km, with an average Poisson ratio of ∼0.28, suggesting that the crust below the Dhanbad area is intermediate to mafic in nature. The single station BB data shed new light to the estimate of crustal thickness beneath the eastern India shield area, which was hitherto elusive. Further, it is observed that the global upper mantle discontinuity at 410 km is delayed by ∼0.6 sec compared to the IASP-91 global model; this may be explained by a slower/hotter upper mantle; while the 660 km discontinuity is within the noise level of data.     

Determination of in-situ stress direction from cleat orientation mapping for coal bed methane exploration in south-eastern part of Jharia coalfield, India

Accurate prediction of in-situ stress directions plays a key role in any Coal Bed Methane (CBM) exploration and exploitation project in order to estimate the production potential of the CBM reservoirs. Permeability is one of the most important factors for determination of CBM productivity. The coal seams in Jharia coalfield generally show low permeability in the range of 0.5 md to 3 md. To estimate the in-situ stress direction in the study area, an attempt has been made to undertake the cleat orientation mapping of four regional coal seams of two underground coal mines located at south-eastern part of Jharia coalfield, India. Cleat orientation mapping is critical to determine the maximum principal compressive horizontal stress (S_H) direction for CBM exploration and exploitation, which in turn controls the direction of maximum gas or water flow though coal beds. From the field study it is found that the average face and butt cleat azimuths are towards N15°W and N75°E respectively. Average permeability of the four above-mentioned major coal seams has been calculated from well logs of nine CBM wells distributing over an area of 7.5 km², adjacent to the underground mines. The cleat orientations are congruous with the regional lineament pattern and fits well with the average permeability contour map of the study area to infer the orientation of in-situ maximum horizontal stress. Goodness of fit for the exponential regressions between vertical stress and permeability for individual coal seams varies between 0.6 and 0.84. The cleat orientation is further validated from the previous fracture analysis using FMI well log in Parbatpur area located southern part of the Jharia coalfield. The major coal seams under the study area exhibit directional permeability, with the maximum permeability, oriented parallel to the direction of face cleat orientation.     

Local Ranking of Geological Conceptual Models in Non-stationary Settings Using Multi-point Geostatistics

Mathematical Geosciences - In geomodeling, it is commonly accepted that the distribution of physical properties is controlled by the architecture of geological objects. However, insufficient data...     

Rock-physics forward modelling to predict seismic behaviour: A case study for exploration target in Mahanadi basin,East Coast of India

One of the major aspects of rock-physics forward modelling is to predict seismic behaviour at an undrilled location using drilled well data. It is important to model the rock and fluid properties away from drilled wells to characterize the reservoir and investigate the root causes of different seismic responses. Using the forward modelling technique, it is possible to explain the amplitude responses of present seismic data in terms of probable rock and reservoir properties. In this context, rock-physics modelling adds significant values in the prospect maturation process by reducing the risk of reservoir presence in exploration and appraisal phases. The synthetic amplitude variation with offset gathers from the forward model is compared with real seismic gathers to ensure the fidelity of the existing geological model. ‘Prospect A’ in the study area has been identified from seismic interpretation, which was deposited as slope fan sediments in Mahanadi basin, East Coast of India. The mapped prospect has shown class-I amplitude variation with offset response in seismic without any direct hydrocarbon indicator support. The existing geological model suggests the presence of an excellent gas reservoir with proven charge access from the fetch area, moderate porosity and type of lithology within this fan prospect. But, whether the seismic response from this geological model will exhibit a class-I amplitude variation with offset behaviour or ‘dim spot’ will be visible; the objective of the present study is to investigate these queries. A rock-physics depth trend analysis has been done to envisage the possibilities of class-I reservoir in ‘Prospect A’. Forward modelling, using a combination of mechanical and chemical compaction, shows the synthetic gas gathers at ‘Prospect A’, which are class I in nature. The study has also depicted 2D forward modelling using lithology and fluid properties of discovery well within similar stratigraphy to predict whether ‘dim spot’ will be seen in seismic. The estimated change in synthetic amplitude response has been observed as ∼5% at contact, which suggests that the changes will not be visible in seismic. The study connects the existing geological model with a top-down seismic interpretation using rock-physics forward modelling technique to mature a deep-water exploratory prospect.     

Well log data analysis for lithology and fluid identification in Krishna-Godavari Basin,India

Well log analysis provides the information on petrophysical properties of reservoir rock and its fluid content. The present study depicts interpretation of well log responses such as gamma ray, resistivity, density and neutron logs from six wells, namely W-1, W-2, W-9, W-12, W-13 and W-14 under the study area of Krishna-Godavari (K-G) basin. The logs have been used primarily for identification of lithology and hydrocarbon-bearing zones. The gamma ray log trend indicates deposition of cleaning upward sediment. Coarsening upward, clayey-silty-sandy bodies have been evidenced from the gamma ray log. Gas-bearing zones are characterised by low gamma ray, high deep resistivity and crossover between neutron and density logs. Total 14 numbers of hydrocarbon-bearing zones are identified from wells W-9, W-12, W-13 and W-14 using conventional log analysis. Crossplotting techniques are adopted for identification of lithology and fluid type using log responses. Crossplots, namely P-impedance vs. S-impedance, P-impedance vs. ratio of P-wave and S-wave velocities (Vp/Vs) and lambda-mu-rho (LMR), have been analysed to discriminate between lithology and fluid types. Vp/Vs vs. P-impedance crossplot is able to detect gas sand, brine sand and shale whereas P-impedance vs. S-impedance crossplot detects shale and sand trends only. LMR technique, i.e. λρ vs. μρ crossplot is able to discriminate gas sand, brine sand, carbonate and shale. The LMR crossplot improves the detectability and sensitivity of fluid types and carbonate lithology over other crossplotting techniques. Petrophysical parameters like volume of shale, effective porosity and water saturation in the hydrocarbon-bearing zones in these wells range from 5 to 37%, from 11 to 36 and from 10 to 50% respectively. The estimated petrophysical parameters and lithology are validated with limited core samples and cutting samples from five wells under the study area.     

Paleoenvironmental context of archaeological sites,implications for subsistence strategies under Holocene climate change,northern Kenya

The Holocene was time of dramatic climate change in East Africa, shifting from wetter climate in the Early–Mid Holocene (∼10–5ka) to drier climates in the Late Holocene, followed by a slight reversal at <1ka. The Holocene was a time of cultural change from hunter‐gatherer and fishing to pastoralism. Recent excavations along the eastern shores of Lake Turkana, Kenya (4°N) provide new archaeological materials, a high‐resolution stratigraphic and paleoenvironmental data set, OSL dates, and cultural records in the context of documented environmental change (falling lake levels). Archaeological site FwJj25 (4.20 ± 0.28ka), on the northeastern margin of Lake Turkana, provides one of the earliest records of pastoralism in the region. The palimpsest record of FwJj5 (0.90 ± 0.06ka) was in a small valley containing a groundwater seep located 5km from the lake. FwJj5 reflects occupation by people who may have covered great distances in accessing resources, but were likely drawn to an environmental refugia of freshwater springs during times of regional aridity. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Quantification of carbon stock to understand two different forest management regimes in Kayar Khola watershed,Chitwan, Nepal

The impact of forest management activities on the ability of forest ecosystems to sequester and store atmospheric carbon is of increasing scientific and social concern. This is because a quantitative understanding of how forest management enhances carbon storage is lacking in most forest management regimes. In this paper two forest regimes, government and community-managed, in Kayar Khola watershed, Chitwan, Nepal were evaluated based on field data, very high resolution (VHR) GeoEye-1 satellite image and airborne LiDAR data. Individual tree crowns were generated using multi-resolution segmentation, which was followed by two tree species classification (Shorea robusta and Other species). Species allometric equations were used in both forest regimes for above ground biomass (AGB) estimation, mapping and comparison. The image objects generated were classified per species and resulted in 70 and 82 % accuracy for community and government forests, respectively. Development of the relationship between crown projection area (CPA), height, and AGB resulted in accuracies of R² range from 0.62 to 0.81, and RMSE range from 10 to 25 % for Shorea robusta and other species respectively. The average carbon stock was found to be 244 and 140 tC/ha for community and government forests respectively. The synergistic use of optical and LiDAR data has been successful in this study in understanding the forest management systems.