Application of seismic texture model regression to seismic facies

characterization and interpretation

DENGLIANG GAO, Marathon Oil Corporation, Houston, USA

T his paper applies a texture model regression method to

characterize seismic facies with particular reference to fron-
tier, deep marine depositional settings. The algorithm intro-
duces and designs a seismic texture model in an adaptive
manner in terms of dimensionality, size, amplitude, fre-
quency, and phase using mathematical, synthetic, or actual
seismic data. The model serves as a reference for seismic
feature discrimination by comparing actual seismic texture
at each location with the model through a linear, least-
squares regression analysis.
To minimize the impact of phase of wiggle traces on
facies visualization, the model is defined dynamically with
an adaptive phase as it moves from sample to sample along
the traces throughout the regular amplitude volume, creat-
ing a regression gradient volume with minimum phase
interference. The regression gradient represents textural
similarity relative to the model, which in turn is related to
depositional facies.
Comparative analysis and case studies indicate that the
texture model regression method has competitive advan-
tages and great potential for seismic facies discrimination,
visualization, and interpretation. In particular, the intro-
duction of an adaptive model as a calibration filter can be
instrumental in characterizing and predicting depositional
facies and reservoir properties in both frontier and mature
basins.

Seismic texture. A reflection seismic response is an acoustic

expression of a geologic feature via a wavelet convolu-
tion. It is a result of natural constructive and/or destructive
interference among all the wavelets scattered from within
a small zone centered about each location in 3D space. More
specifically, the magnitude and variation of neighboring
amplitudes (seismic amplitude texture) at a given location
in a seismic volume is related to the distribution of scatter-
ers which is a composite function of the impedance, thick-
ness, and stratigraphic configuration of beds and thin beds
(stratigraphic impedance texture) within the small zone.
Physically, seismic texture is linked to stratigraphic texture
via a wavelet convolution; such a physical link holds the
key to characterize depositional facies from reflection seis-
mic data.
Spatial variability in seismic texture requires that it be
evaluated at each sample location based on a small analy-
sis window, which is usually called a texture element (Figure
1). Generally, a seismic texture element consists of Nx by Ny
by Nz neighboring amplitude samples in the inline, crossline,
and vertical directions, respectively. It can be a 3D minicube;
a 2D mini window oriented perpendicular to an axis or
along structure; or a 1D trace segment (Figure 1). For the
data sets presented here, the optimal size of the element is
a function of the dominant frequency of the seismic data.
For example, if the seismic wiggle traces in a stratigraphic
interval of interest have a dominate frequency of 36 Hz, the
texture element should be approximately 30 ms in vertical
dimension, which is equivalent to 15 samples at 2-ms sam-
ple increments and covers approximately one average wave-
length of the wiggle traces. A texture element that
approximates the average wavelength of seismic wiggle
traces in the interval of interest is required for texture char-
394 THE LEADING EDGE MARCH 2008
Figure 1. (a) 3D (cubic) texture element consisting of 9 ǂ 15 ǂ 5
amplitude samples. (b) 2D (planar) texture element consisting of 9 ǂ
15 amplitude samples. (c) 1D (linear) texture element consisting of 15
amplitude samples.
acterization in a statistically significant and effective man-
ner.
Texture model regression. The texture model regression
method presented here differs from the 3D gray-level co-
occurrence matrix (GLCM) analysis (Gao, 2001). Instead of
a statistical measure, the new algorithm uses an interpreter-
defined texture model as a reference; textural similarity with
the model is then computed using a linear least-squares
regression analysis (Gao, 2004). Basically, the workflow con-
sists of four steps:
1) Construction of a model: Mi (i = 1…n)
2) Retrieval of data: Di (x,y,z) (i = 1…n)
3) Linear least-squares regression: Mi ~ Di (x,y,z)
4) Output the correlation coefficient or gradient: g (x,y,z).
The critical first step of the process is to build a texture ele-
ment as a calibration model. Since seismic texture is a func-
tion of waveform with variable amplitude, frequency, and
phase, this study defines a seismic texture model simply by
using a full wavelength of trigonometric cosine function.
Next, the algorithm sets the first, or the next sample loca-
tion, and retrieves data surrounding each sample location
to form a texture element with the same dimension and size
as the model, which in this case consists of 15 samples that
are equivalent to 30 ms at 2 ms sampling rate. Then, it per- Figure 2. Schematic
forms linear least-squares regression between the ampli- representation of the texture
tude samples in the data texture element and those in the (1D in this case) model
regression process using a
model, and calculates the regression gradient, g: simple trigonometric cosine
waveform as the model with
a constant amplitude and
frequency but with a data-
adaptive phase. Linear least-
(1) squares regression is
performed repeatedly at each
sample location as the model
where —n is the—number of samples in a texture element, and (right) moves along a wiggle
where D and M denote the mean values of the data texture trace (left). To minimize the
element Di and the model Mi , respectively. impact of phase of the wiggle
To minimize the impact of phase of wiggle traces, the trace on facies visualization,
algorithm designs a dynamic model with flexible phase that the algorithm constantly
updates the phase of the
is consistent with that of the seismic data at any sample loca- model while moving along
tion (Figure 2). Computationally, this is achieved by con- the wiggle trace. The model
stantly changing the phase of the model until a best with three different phases
correlation or phase match is realized between the model (indicated by green, blue,
and the data. Finally, the algorithm writes the regression gra- and magenta) is shown at
dient g (Figure 3) as output at the corresponding location. three locations (labeled 1, 2,
and 3, respectively.)
To evaluate textural variations, the adaptive model
regression process proceeds from sample to sample and
trace to trace repeatedly throughout the input seismic vol-
ume. As a result, the regular amplitude volume is trans-
formed into a regression gradient volume that represents
textural similarity relative to the model and is interpreted
to be indicative of seismic facies in 3D space.

Results and geologic implications. 3D seismic facies inter-

pretation is typically performed by slicing the facies volume
with the minimum phase effect using a stratigraphic sur-
face in a similar fashion as horizon slicing through regular
amplitude volume. Comparative analyses (Figures 4a-d)
indicate that the results created using the texture model
regression method are superior to those created using rou-
tine attribute extraction algorithms. Figure 4a demonstrates
that the current method helps define detailed facies varia-
tions along and across channels in deep water (> 2000 meters
below the sea level) offshore West Africa. Systematic dis-
tribution patterns and variations shown in this example are
interpreted to be possibly related to different facies elements
ranging from channel fill, lobes, levee, and overbank, to
marine shale in a typical turbidite system (Kolla et al., 2001;
Posamentier and Kolla, 2003). By comparison, the conven-
tional seismic attribute methods (Figures 4b–d) fail to define
facies variations in as much detail as the texture model
regression method (Figure 4a). Although the coherence map
(Figure 4b) effectively delineates outlines of channels(con-
tainer), it fails to map facies variations either within or out- Figure 3. Schematic graphical representation of the linear least-squares
regression analysis and the regression gradient gas a measure of the
side the channels. slope of the regression line.
The geologic implications of texture facies result are
phenomenal. Lateral seismic facies distribution and verti-
cal stacking patterns can be effectively visualized by sequen- munication). These maps demonstrate both spatial variation
tially slicing through the texture facies volume using a series and temporary evolution in geometry, trend, morphology,
of stratigraphic horizons. This process is equivalent to back- width, areal extent, and lithology of turbiditic channels and
stripping depositional sequences to unravel facies geohis- associated facies. Investigating this spatial and temporal
tory through time. Figures 5a–d are facies maps made at variability as a function of the slope gradient is instrumen-
discrete stratigraphic levels in the Miocene and Pliocene tal in unraveling the dynamic interplay between turbiditic
stratigraphic intervals of a deep-marine turbidite system off- play fairway, sand potential, and paleo-bathymetry related
shore Angola (West Africa). In this specific survey area, sev- to active structural growth.
eral major facies elements are evident and easily
interpretable, including channel fill, levee/overbank, lobes, Discussion. Compared with multiple texture attribute
and marine shale based on the spatial relationship and extraction and classification, texture model regression is
amplitude characters of different facies elements, along with straightforward and achieves the objective for seismic facies
regional depositional setting and exploration well tests in discrimination directly from the regular amplitude data
the nearby survey areas (Milliken, et al., 2005, personal com- without the necessity for texture attribute extraction, selec-

MARCH 2008 THE LEADING EDGE 395

 marine depositional facies. This
suggests that such a simple
model for soft (relative) calibra-
tion discriminates seismic texture
effectively, which is useful in most
cases with no direct geologic
observational data and the objec-
tive is to discriminate facies,
morphology, geometry, and dis-
tribution patterns. In other cases
with sufficient and reliable well
information for hard (absolute)
calibration, the texture model can
be extracted directly from a strati-
graphic interval of interest, such
as the seismic wavelet corre-
sponding to channel sand (Gao,
2004).
The texture model regression
method is a computationally dif-
ferent approach to seismic facies
characterization and discrimina-
tion than neural network-based
waveform classification that relies
on a pre-picked horizon (Coléou
et al., 2003). The horizon-guided
wavelet shapes depend on an
interpreted horizon that is usu-
ally based on a specific phase
(peak, trough, or zero crossing).
Strictly speaking, picking peaks,
troughs, or zero-crossings of reg-
ular, unprocessed seismic wiggle
traces can deviate significantly
from the true depositional sur-
face and thus may not necessar-
ily be a reliable chronostrati-
graphic datum for defining
waveform shapes on which
waveform classification is based.
Therefore, horizon-guided
waveform classification is a sub-
jective process and could cause
miscorrelation due to the uncer-
tainty in delineating true
chronostratigraphic surfaces.
The problem becomes particu-
Figure 4. The texture model regression gradient map compared with other popular attribute maps (off-
larly acute in cases of low signal-
shore Angola, West Africa). The regression gradient map (a) is superior to the coherence map (b), the to-noise ratio where horizon
RMS amplitude map (c), and the instantaneous frequency map (d) in delineating along- and across- picks can easily slip or bleed into
channel variations in facies. The color in the regression gradient map obtained using the current method underlying older or overlying
indicates a continuum of texture classes, possibly ranging from shale-dominated (black) to sand- younger stratigraphic intervals.
dominated (red) lithofacies. Not only are the outlines of the channels and other facies clearly delineated, In contrast, texture model regres-
but also facies differences among channel fill, levee, overbank, and lobes within and outside of the
channels are well defined as indicated by variations in colors.
sion is a horizon-independent,
data-driven, and automated
process. In particular, the intro-
tion, dimensionality reduction, and classification. Thus, not duction of texture model can help achieve diverse objectives
only does the new method save significant computational by simply modifying the amplitude, frequency, phase, and
time and resources, but it also streamlines the seismic facies dimensionality of the model. For example, using a constant
interpretation workflow, thereby enabling geoscientists to dis- phase waveform model can improve the efficiency and relia-
criminate facies in a more interactive and objective manner. bility of picking stratigraphic horizons and facies boundaries.
Texture model regression can be implemented using dif- A calibrated texture model extracted from a tested well bore
ferent texture models from different perspectives. The nature, can be used to calibrate and predict reservoir facies and
dimension, and size of the calibration model depend on explo- hydraulic properties. This is particularly powerful in mature
ration objectives. This study applies one of the simplest tex- fields where sufficient well data can be used to achieve the
ture models but creates a superior result that is geologically optimal match between seismic texture and reservoir prop-
meaningful and consistent with outcrop analogs of deep- erties by constantly updating the calibrating texture model.

396 THE LEADING EDGE MARCH 2008

 tant basis for visualizing, discrim-
inating, and interpreting deposi-
tional facies from reflection seismic
data.
Seismic texture model regres-
sion is a different approach to seis-
mic facies analysis that uses
multiattribute classification meth-
ods. Using a predefined texture
model as a calibrating filter, the
algorithm differentiates features
by comparing the data texture at
each sample location with the
model texture based on a linear
least-squares regression analysis.
The new approach reduces com-
putational time dramatically and
creates a superior result that
enables geoscientists to visualize
and interpret seismic facies in a
more interactive and robust
manner than multiattribute
classification methods. Most
importantly, the adaptive texture
model has great potential to pre-
dict depositional facies and reser-
voir properties in both frontier and
mature basins.

Suggested reading. “Unsupervised

seismic facies classification: Areview
and comparison of techniques and
implementation” by Coléou et al.
(TLE, 2003.) “Method for analyzing
and classifying three-dimensional
seismic information” by Gao (US
Patent 6 226 596 B1, 2001.) “Texture
model regression for effective fea-
ture discrimination: Application to
seismic facies visualization and inter-
pretation” by Gao, (GEOPHYSICS,
2004.) “Evolution of deep-water
Tertiary sinuous channels offshore
Angola (West Africa) and implica-
tions for reservoir architecture” by
Kolla et al. (AAPG Bulletin, 2001.)
“Seismic geomorphology and
stratigraphy of depositional ele-
ments in deep-water settings” by
Posamentier and Kolla (Journal of
Figure 5. Sequential horizon slices through the facies volume (offshore Angola, West Africa). (a) middle Sedimentary Research, 2003.) TLE
Miocene; (b) late Miocene; (c) early Pliocene; (d) late Pliocene. The color represents a continuum of
texture facies classes possibly ranging from sand-dominated (red) to shale-dominated (black) deposits Acknowledgements: Marathon Oil
(channel fill, levee/overbank, lobes, and marine shale) based on regional geology, outcrop analogs, and Corporation granted permission to publish
exploratory well bores in the nearby survey areas. Notice the significant changes through time in this article. The 3D seismic data are cour-
lithology, width, sinuosity, and flow direction of the channel-fan systems. The older channels with tesy of WesternGeco. Many thanks to Jeff
lower sinuosity flow from northeast to southwest (high bathymetric gradient), whereas the younger
channels with higher sinuosity flow from southeast to northwest (low bathymetric gradient). Milliken, Janine Helmich, Glory Kamat,
Brendan Arnold, Bill DeMis, Greg Brown,
John Rudat, Laura Reich, Larry Gilmore,
and Taizhong Duan for their collaboration
Conclusions. The definition and implication of texture vary in applying the technology to exploration, production, and reservoir char-
at different scales and in different domains. In seismic stratig- acterization. The author used the API (Application Program Interface) func-
raphy, seismic texture is defined by the amplitude and wave- tions from Paradigm Geophysical in programming the seismic texture model
form in a textural element at a specific sample location. It is regression algorithm. Part of this article was presented at the 56th GCAGS/
an acoustic expression of stratigraphy via a wavelet convo- GCSSEPM annual convention.
lution. The theory of the physical link between seismic and
stratigraphic textures provides a new perspective and impor- corresponding author: dgao@marathonoil.com

MARCH 2008 THE LEADING EDGE 397