4D Seismic in A Heavy-Oil, Turbidite Reservoir Offshore Brazil

718 The Leading Edge June 2009
SPECIAL SECTION: L a t i n A m e r i c a L a t i n A m e r i c a
4D seismic in a heavy-oil, turbidite reservoir offshore Brazil
T
he challenge of this deepwater 4D
project was to acquire seismic data
over 1520 km
2
in a heavily obstructed
oil eld. Currently, the Marlim
Complex (Marlim, Marlim Sul, Marlim
Leste, and Voador oil elds) produces
more than 550,000 b/d from 10 xed
production platforms.
Seismic quality control was so rel-
evant for this project that, for the rst
time in Brazil, we had six dierent FP-
SOs rotated to align with the seismic
vessel which towed 10 cables, each 6
km in length.
In the interpretation phase, 4D im-
aging enabled us to detect the movement
of oil, gas, and water through a reservoir.
It improved static and dynamic model-
ing and provided more condence to
predict future reservoir behavior, thus
reducing risk in new drilling projects. It
also helped locate bypassed reserves and
optimize placement of inll wells.
In Brazil, since 1978, 3D surveys to-
taling more than 400,000 km
2
have been completed in the 35
known sedimentary basins (nearly 8,700,000 km
2
). In 1994,
we started the rst phase of 4D seismic with a pilot onshore
steam injection-monitoring project. After 15 years of experi-
ence with 4D, we developed a 4D seismic workow.
4D seismic workow
We group the dierent processes used in 4D monitoring of
reservoirs into 14 phases:
4D project identication from asset groups (initial VOI 1)
analysis)
Technical and economic feasibility study (4D rock phys- 2)
ics, initial modeling, VOI analysis, etc.)
Integrated synthetic 4D seismic, geological, and ow 3)
modeling
Portfolio of potential 4D seismic projects, risk, and rank- 4)
ing analysis
Seismic evaluation and designplanning phase (geometry 5)
and oset simulation, fold and azimuth analysis, illumina-
tion study, repeatability analysis, etc.)
4D acquisition (operational and quality control) 6)
4D processing (coordination, training, and execution) 7)
Special 4D processing (4D inversion, 4D pattern recogni- 8)
tion, 4D structural detection, 4D quantication, geome-
chanical modeling, etc.)
4D interpretation (saturation and/or pressure discrimina- 9)
tion, uid contacts, fault and barriers detection, etc.)
Geological model update with 4D interpretation (con- 10)
straint sedimentary and petrophysical facies distribution)
Integrate 4D interpretation in ow modeling and history 11)
matching (quantitative automatic history match with in-
formation derived from 4D)
Drilling planning with 4D interpretation support 12)
A-posteriori quantication of the ROI 13)
Lessons learned and best practices coupled with commu- 14)
nication between business units
Deepwater Marlim Complex 4D seismic project
Te Marlim Complex 4D project has been, to this date, the
largest seismic acquisition survey (1520 km
2
) oriented to res-
ervoir characterization and production monitoring in Brazil-
ian elds (Figure 1).
Te giant Marlim turbidite oil eld, discovered in 1985
about 130 km o the southeastern Brazilian coast, in water
depths between 600 and 1100 m, is the largest producing eld
in Brazil. It is 100% operated by Petrobras with a production
peak of 610,000 b/d. Te original oil-in-place volume was
6.4 billion STB with 1.97 billion barrels recoverable. Produc-
tion began in 1991 through a pilot system. Today, the eld is
exploited through 85 producing wells and 51 injectors con-
nected to seven oating production units.
Te Marlim reservoir is part of the lowstand systems tract
of a third-order sequence, which is associated to an important
eustatic, sea level fall of about 25 MMy. Te turbidite lobes
ll an intraslope, wide depression developed by downslope
gliding of underlying Aptian evaporates.
Reservoir facies comprise amalgamated graded beds of
SPECIAL SECTION: L a t i n A m e r i c a
PAULO JOHANN, RUI SANSONOWSKI, RILDO OLIVEIRA, and DIRCEU BAMPI, Petrobras
Figure 1. Location of 58 oil elds in the Campos Basin. Te Marlim Complex 4D acquisition
area is inside the polygon (1520 km
2
).
Downloaded 13 Aug 2009 to 163.188.84.68. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://segdl.org/
June 2009 The Leading Edge 719
L a t i n A m e r i c a
poorly consolidated, unstratied, and medium- to ne-
grained sandstones with very low silt and clay content. Po-
rosities and permeabilities are relatively homogeneous. Te
Marlim turbidite system was subdivided into nine produc-
tion zones, mostly on the basis of stratigraphic discontinuities
recognized in well logs and cores. Te eastern margin is fault-
bounded with other eld limits dened by sand pinch outs.
Te initial development phase has recently concluded
with about 200 wells (41 horizontal) successfully drilled.
A new development phase, now in its early stages, involves
more risk because the projects comprise inll wells with the
risk of fast breakthrough or location on the borders with risks
involving productivity and navigation of the horizontal wells
in thin beds.
Technical and economic feasibility study
A risk analysis related to reservoir thickness, rock quality (fa-
cies and net-to-gross distribution), structural context, basic
sediments and water (BSW), and gas-oil-ratio (GOR) was
carried out for each well.
For the economic analysis, we used VOI methodology
with a two-path decision treeone with new seismic and an-
other with no seismic at all. For the seismic path, we estimat-
ed the expected monetary value by considering success and
failure paths and did the same for the path without seismic.
Tis simple approach allows us to estimate the gross value
of new seismic information. Te next step was to reduce the
cost for acquisition, processing, and manpower for seismic
interpretation so as to quantify the net VOI.
Te Marlim Asset Team identied six types of potential
gain after 4D interpretation: new inll wells, standby drilling
wells due to geological uncertainties, reduced drilling invest-
ment, increased well productivity, identication of new ex-
ploratory opportunities, and increased workover e ciency.
To evaluate if 4D seismic could map the spatial distribu-
tion of reservoir uids, the rst step was to build a 3D pet-
ro-elastic model (Figure 2). We downscaled the information
from the numerical simulations and built the synthetic model
based on Gassmanns equation. Multiple synthetic seismic
and acoustic impedance images were calculated from the ow
model to guide future seismic interpretation (Figure 3).
Seismic evaluation and acquisition design
During this phaseafter evaluating well logs, VSP, and seis-
mic modelingwe detected a strong compressional veloc-
ity and density contrast in the Marlim reservoirs. However,
there is little contrast in shear velocity. Te 30-Hz dominant
frequency in previous data is not enough for the desired ver-
tical resolution; at least 60 Hz is needed. VSP implies that
6070 Hz is achievable (we also acquired a 3D VSP in this
project). Analysis of a 3D swath suggests that the reection
signal in the reservoir is still strong at the recorded maxi-
mum oset of approximately 3800 m. Te South Marlim
reservoirs require better multiple attenuation, which led to
recording a maximum oset of 6000 m.
Analysis of a 2D long-oset line shows that the signal at
the reservoir level remains up to approximately 5000 m. Te
signal, from reections 800 m deeper, extends beyond 6 km.
Anisotropy is evident, starting not far from the seabed. Te
long-oset signal is lower in frequency and undergoes phase
change. Tus, despite not enhancing the stack, it contains
useful information on the nature of the reservoir.
A feasibility study demonstrated the di culty of obtain-
ing full coverage in a region with many obstructions. Clearly,
it is di cult to obtain good coverage just by shooting at the
same direction and undershooting. A better job could be
done by steering the vessel very carefully around the obstruc-
tions and by more elaborate undershooting, but it would still
be very di cult.
Tere are two processing issues of major concern: mul-
tiple attenuation and prestack migration. Te wide-azimuth
undershooting of platforms makes it very di cult for 2D
Figure 2. Petrobras 4D modeling workow. Left = input data; center
= process and tools; and right = outputs and results.
Figure 3. (top) Dierence of water-saturation maps computed from
simulator data for the vintages 20051997 (left) and 20151997
(right). (bottom) Synthetic amplitude dierence maps, extracted on
the reservoir base, for the vintages 20051997 (left) and 20151997
(right).
SRME (surface multiple attenuation) techniques. 3D SRME
techniques are recommended.
We should be aware of the need to obtain something
better than 1/3 fold cover in each of the near/mid/far oset
ranges to try and minimize the gaps in the base oset ranges,
at least in a 3D sense.
4D acquisition
Te 2005 data set, acquired as the monitor survey to com-
pare against the base survey acquired in 1997, covered 1520
km
2
and took 201 days. When acquiring data over a produc-
ing eld, it is common to encounter obstructed areas due in-
frastructure. Te Marlim Complex reservoirs are large, with
wells drilled to produce and inject water into the reservoir.
We have xed installations and nonpermanent obstructions
that challenge e cient operations: production platforms,
oating production, storage and o oading vessels, drilling
rigs, tankers, pipe laying barges, marker buoys, and general
marine tra c.
A plan using a vessel with 10 cables with length of 6 km
and separated by 50 m, would be possible for approximately
2/3 of the survey. Te nal phase would be shot in a two-boat
mode, a source vessel and a recording vessel which reduced
cable length to 3 km in undershooting areas.
Te currents were occasionally very high and produced
feathering of 1530. Tis caused severe damage in the re-
peatability of the vintages (Figure 4).
4D processing
Te results of a 2005 PSTM-migrated section, when com-
pared with same line from 1997, were outstanding in terms
of resolution to improve reservoir characterization of both
Marlim and South Marlim (Figure 5).
Te 1997 survey had recently been reprocessed through a
cascaded demultiple ow very similar to the one used for the
Figure 5. An inline seismic section from the monitoring survey (2005). Note the outstanding quality in terms of seismic resolution.
Figure 4. Azimuth map from the monitor acquisition (2005)
highlights the dierences higher and lower (blue and red) than 20.
Te positioning of the production units is shown.
2005 data. Terefore, the 4D seismic processing began with
two demultipled data sets.
In order to generate a 4D response from the two data sets,
it was necessary to rst minimize their acquisition dierences.
In addition to the dierent acquisition parameters (Table 1),
other dierences were the result of the signicant increase in
surface production installations from 1997 to 2005. Te data
sets were compared to nd the most closely colocated pair of
eld traces on an oset and CMP by CMP basis. After iden-
Figure 6. Map view of the amplitude dierence from the top (left) and base (right) of the reservoir. Te blue anomalies represent a hardening in
the reservoir and have a strong correlation with the injector wells.
Years/parameters 1997 2005
Area (km
2
) 720 1520
Number of cables 6 10
Spread (osets, m) 0-148-3535.5 0-140-6000
Channels/cable 288 1920
Shot-point interval
(m)
25 18.5
Receiver interval
(m)
12.5 3.125
Cable interval (m) 50 50
Sample rate (ms) 1 2
Bin size (m) 12.5 25 6.25 12.5
Cable depth (m) 9 7
Azimuth (degrees) 123 123
Nominal fold 72 80
Traces/km
2
230,400 1,024,000
Table 1. Acquisition parameters.
tifying matching pairs of traces, the data sets were edited to
preserve these (the most repeatable) traces before imaging.
After each processing stage, 4D quality control attri-
butes were generated. Tese are measures of the dierences
in amplitude, phase, and timing between the data sets. Te
3D stack volumes are also used to create a dierence volume
and compute the nrms attribute. Anomalies in these quality
control attributes highlight areas with possible residual acqui-
sition-related dierences.
4D interpretation
Several benets for reservoir monitoring and management
are outlined below by eight interpretation cases.
Case 1 (absolute horizontal permeability anisotropy). Te
most important contribution of 4D interpretation to the
geological modeling was to characterize absolute horizontal
permeability trends for the Marlim Turbidite System. Te 4D
amplitude dierence (20051997) map revealed important
anisotropy in water displacement around the reservoir base
(Figures 6 and 7). Tis anisotropy was introduced into the
absolute-horizontal-permeability maps of the lower zones in
the turbidite system by geostatistics (kriging with external
drifting), and the history match of the eld was improved by
more realistic geological permeability maps (Figure 8).
Before updating the geological model with the 4D results,
a good history match existed; but, in order to attain it, the
engineer spent more than a year tting the data and had to
introduce major changes in the original absolute distribution
of horizontal permeability (Figure 9).
Using the absolute distribution of horizontal permeabil-
ity from the 4D data (Figure 10) improved history match-
ing without many changes in the original permeability map,
yielding a more reliable model. Also, the time spent in history
matching was reduced by three months.
Case 2 (sealing or partially sealing faults). Detailed map-
ping of the faults and lineament was incorporated into the
geological model. 4D amplitude-dierence maps revealed
some sealing or partially sealing faults. Before 4D interpreta-
Figure 8. (left) Te amplitude dierence map of the reservoir base. Light blue represents oil replaced by water. (right) An absolute horizontal-
permeability map derived from 4D imaging and permeability from the DST.
Figure 7. NE-SW amplitude dierence section shows external geometry (top and bottom) of Marlim seismic horizons.
Figure 9. (left) Original absolute-horizontal permeability map from permeability data. (right) Te same map after the history matching but
before 4D seismic interpretation.
Figure 10. (left) Absolute horizontal permeability map from the 4D seismic anomalies. (right) Te same map after 4D seismic results were
integrated and after history matching.
tion, only 14 internal faults had been mapped. Now, 33 such
faults have been mapped (Figure 11).
Case 3 (history matching of water cut). Wells P1 and PH1
are inside the erosive channel close to two faults. A good his-
tory match was never achieved for these wells. However, an
attempt was made to decrease the transmissibility of the faults
near these wells with very good results (Figure 12).
Case 4 (optimizing inll wells). In the current phase of
the eld, ve wells were drilled after 4D interpretation. Two
drilled near the borders, in thickness of approximately 66
ft, showed only oil, as indicated by 4D images. In addition,
two inll wells were drilled where the 4D interpretation in-
dicated water at the reservoir base and oil at the top. Both
wells were drilled in a region with thickness of 321 ft. An oil/
water contact indicates a water zone at the reservoir bottom
(Figure 13).
Te 4D interpretation also changed the position of one
Figure 12. Water-cut history matching from wells P1 and PH1. Te
blue curve is the tting before 4D seismic. Te orange curve is the
tting with the new horizontal-permeability map and the partially
sealing faults derived from 4D seismic interpretation.
Figure 13. 4D amplitude dierence map from the base of the reservoir. At the well, the map indicates water saturation at the reservoir base
(blue = high water saturation). Te well conrmed this. Te oil/water contact is indicated by the blue arrow on the log.
Figure 11. Amplitude dierence map of the reservoir base (left) and
top (right), showing sealing or partially sealing faults. Dominant swept
areas are blue.
injector well because of a sealing or partially sealing fault.
Only after starting injection in this well could the transmis-
sibility of this fault be evaluated, but the well conrmed the
4D data that indicated only oil at this location, drilled in a
region with thickness of approximately 197 ft.
Te main application expected in the near future
for 4D interpretation is to reduce the risk of 13 locations in
Figure 14. 4D amplitude dierence map for the reservoir base showing the repositioning of A to B because of
high water saturation at A.
Figure 15. 4D amplitude dierence map from the base of the reservoir showing a probable conned region.
Well PH2 indicated an overpressure of 30 kgf/cm
2
(427 psi) in the repeat formation test.
a new project of the com-
plementary development
phase of Marlim Field.
Te new geologic model
incorporating the 4D data
and the new simulation
model (with an improved
history match) resulted in
two wells being canceled.
Also, many locations were
repositioned slightlynine
were optimized, and one
had a major repositioning
in view of water indica-
tions in the 4D interpreta-
tion. Figure 14 illustrates a
4D interpretation-oriented
repositioning because of
indications of high water
saturation (light blue) at
the previous position.
Case 5 (conned over-
pressure). 4D interpretation
identied a conned over-
pressured region, probably
because of subseismic faults
(Figure 15). Tis was con-
rmed by a recent well that
indicated an overpressure
of approximately 427 psi
above original pressure.
Case 6 (water injec-
tion strategy). In areas with
many producer and injec-
tor wells, history matching
could be improved by 4D
data because they indicate
the source of the water
that reaches the producer.
Before 4D interpretation
was used in the simulation
model, water in produc-
ing well P3 was shown as
coming from injector I1
(Figure 16). However, the
4D interpretation showed
that the water in fact comes
from injector I3.
Another interesting ob-
servation in the same gure
is the high water saturation close to injector I4 in the simula-
tion model. Tis is not present in 4D imaging and was not
understood. Recently, it was observed that, because of op-
erational problems, injector I4 did not inject the amount of
water reported in the database and used for simulation. Tis
well and others inject through a manifold, and injector I4 was
not injecting.
Case 7 (identifying gas cap). 4D imaging made it pos-
sible to recognize a secondary gas cap like the one in
Figure 17 and conrmed by a previously drilled pro-
ducer (P1) and by the production of a horizontal well
(PH2) in which production was limited by a high
gas/oil ratio. A new horizontal injector well (I1) near the bor-
der allowed PH2 to produce without a rate limitation, thus
increasing its production by approximately 15,000 b/d.
Case 8 (characterizing reservoir heterogeneities). Te am-
plitude-dierence map for the reservoir top and base show
water in the region of injec-
tor I6 and producer P6 (Fig-
ure 18). Tese wells are in a
region with thickness greater
than 213 ft. Changes in the
perforated interval in the in-
jector well, along with the
continuous shale between in-
jector and producer, explains
the presence of water at reser-
voir top. Initially, water was
injected below the shale and
then above it. Te producer
is perforated above and below
the shale. If the shale was not
continuous between wells, the
water injected above the shale
would migrate down by grav-
ity, and there would not be an
anomaly in the 4D data indi-
cating water at the reservoir
top. Tus, the 4D indication
of water at reservoir top and
base conrmed the heteroge-
neity between the wells and
channeling of water above the
shale.
Conclusions
In the interpretation phase of
the Marlim 4D project, we
took advantage of the qual-
ity of our reservoirs, rock and
uid properties, the thick un-
consolidated turbidites sand-
stones reservoir, the excellent
Campos Basin seismic re-
sponse, good signal-to-noise
ratio, and some clear uid
contacts and seismic anoma-
lies in addition to the exten-
sive water-injection eects in
the reservoirs to calibrate our
4D signals and integrate 4D
interpretation into the 3D
geological and ow model-
ing.
After 4D interpretation, ve new wells conrmed the 4D
indications. Also, a secondary gas cap, a conned region with
overpressure, and heterogeneities were identied by 4D data
and conrmed by production and well data.
Many wells were repositioned because of water indica-
tions and sealing faults. In addition, permeability maps were
improved because of the pattern of water displacement shown
by 4D imaging.
Comparing the simulation results of Phase 3, before
versus after 4D interpretation, showed that the net present
Figure 16. Water saturation map of simulation before 4D (left) shows water in producer P3 coming from
injector I1. Te amplitude dierence map from reservoir base (right) shows the water in P3 coming from
injector I3 instead. Te red circles indicate a mismatch between the simulation model and the 4D image-
related operation problem in the manifold responsible for the water injection.
Figure 17. Secondary gas cap identied in the 4D seismic amplitude dierence map (05-97) from the
reservoir top. Te log of well P1 at the top shows the gas cap when the well was drilled. Te production
history of horizontal well PH2 is shown at the bottom. Te increased oil production in this well (green
curve) is seen after drilling injector I1.
value of the project doubled, total oil production increased
4.76% (the number of wells to be drilled decreased from 13
to 10), and production per well increased 24%. Most of this
improvement can be attributed to the 4D interpretation that
canceled two wells and repositioned many others.
However, the information provided by 4D seismic must
be coupled with additional information such as saturation
logs, tracers, formation tests, and pressure. Additional work
is particularly needed in recognizing 4D signatures for tuning
particular areas.
Suggested reading. Campos Basin: Reservoir characterization
and managementhistorical overview and future challenges by
Bruhn et al. (OTC paper 15220, 2003). Reservoir geophysics
in deep and ultradeep water in the Campos Basin by Johann
(TLE, 1999). 4D seismic in Brazil: Experiences in reservoir
monitoring by Johann et al. (OTC paper 18400, 2006). Using
seismic attributes to estimate net thickness in pinch-out areas:
Marlim deepwater turbidite eld, Campos Basin by Oliveira et
Figure 18. Amplitude dierence map for the reservoir top (left) and base (right) indicating water between producer P6 and injector I6. Te
presence of water at the reservoir top results from a continuous shale and from the positioning of the perforated intervals.
al. (SPE, 2005). Te Marlim Field: Incorporating 4D seismic
in reservoir-management decisions by Oliveira (JPT, 2008).
History matching 4D seismic data with e cient gradient-based
methods by Emerick et al. (SPE paper 107179, 2007). Cal-
culating seismic attributes within a reservoir ow simulator by
Emerick et al. (SPE paper 107001, 2007). Challenges of the
4D seismic in reservoir management of the Marlim Field by
Ribeiro et al. (SPE, 2005).
Acknowledgments: We thank Petrobras for permission to publish
this paper and express our appreciation to some colleagues who have
made valuable contributions to the many dierent phases of this
work: Carlos Eduardo Abreu, Marcos Sebastiao, Edgar Tedy, Joo
Paulo Nunes, Nier M.S. Ribeiro Junior, Deise M. Ferreira, Gerson
Ritter, and Jos Clauver. Also, we acknowledge WesternGeco for the
quality of acquisition and processing in this project.
Corresponding author: johann@petrobras.com.br

4D Seismic in A Heavy-Oil, Turbidite Reservoir Offshore Brazil

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