The Use of Seismic Attributes to Enhance Fault Interpretation of OT Field, Niger Delta

Abstract

An integrated approach to the study of the fault patterns and seismic attributes was carried out on the O T field using a 3D swamp seismic data covering approximately 420 Km 2 of western belt of the Niger Delta. This study aimed at improving the visualization of faults in the study area using different seismic attributes. Three major growth faults dipping south with few antithetic faults dipping in opposite direction to the growth faults and other minor faults were identified manually on the original and steered seismic cube in the inline 11669, while in the cross line only one major fault was identified manually. The seismic volume was subjected to several stages of post-stack processing to enhance discontinuities. First, a dip-steering volume was created. Several dip-steered filters were then applied to enhance faults and fractures visualization. Finally, similarity and curvature attributes were calculated on the dip-steered and fault enhanced volume. These final attributes show detailed geometry of the fault system and the numerous subtle lineaments in the study area. The integration of the attributes has increased confidence in the seismic mapping of the faults and the other numerous subtle lineaments which were difficult to identify on the input data. Similarity and curvature attributes of the seismic volume preserve subtle structural details and permit a more robust interpretation of the structures.