1

Seismic Interpretation and

Subsurface Mapping
An A level teaching resource based on the
Eakring oil field, East Midlands, UK

Developed by Dorothy Satterfield (University of Derby)
and Martin Whiteley (Barrisdale Ltd) on behalf of the
Earth Science Teachers Association (ESTA)


2
1. Introduction
2. Basic principles
3. Eakring exercise
4. Additional information
Seismic Interpretation and
Subsurface Mapping
3
1. Introduction
Seismic interpretation and subsurface mapping
are key skills that are used commonly in the oil
industry

This teaching resource introduces the basic
principles of seismic interpretation and then, if
time permits, they can be applied in a practical
exercise

The resource dovetails with the A level Geology
specifications



4
2. Basic principles
Seismic acquisition
Seismic processing
Understanding the data
Seismic interpretation



5

Seismic acquisition offshore

An air gun towed behind the
survey ship transmits sound
waves through the water
column and into the subsurface
Changes in rock type or fluid
content reflect the sound
waves towards the surface
Receivers towed behind the
vessel record how long it takes
for the sound waves to return
to the surface
Sound waves reflected by
different boundaries arrive at
different times.
The same principles apply to
onshore acquisition




6
Onshore seismic acquisition requires an energy input from a
thumper truck. Geophones arrayed in a line behind the truck
record the returning seismic signal.
Sub-horizontal
beds
Unconformity
Dipping beds
Seismic acquisition onshore (1)
Geophones
(receivers)
Vibrator
(source)
7
Seismic acquisition onshore (2)
Lithology change
Angular
unconformity
Lithology change
Seismic horizons represent changes in density and allow the
subsurface geology to be interpreted.



8

Wiggle trace to CDP gather
Normal move out correction
Stacking
What is a reflector?

Seismic processing

9
Wiggle trace to CDP gather
Graphs of intensity of sound as
received by the recorders
Graphs of intensity for one
location collected into groups
and shown in a sequence.
Wiggle
traces

CDP
gather
10
Normal move out correction
Data for one point from different
signals to different receivers
1. More time needed to reach distant
receivers so the data look like a curve.
2. Correcting for normal move out
restores the curve to a near horizontal
display.
Change in lithology from mud to sand
so sound is reflected back to surface
Sound receivers
R
3
R
2
R
1

CDP
CMP
Sound sources
S
1
S
2
S
3

Original
CDP
gather
corrected
for normal
move out
2
1
11
Stacking
Next, take all the sound
traces for that one place
and stack them on top of
each other
First, gather sound data for
one location and correct for
delayed arrival (normal move
out)
Finally, place stacks for
adjacent locations side
by side to produce a
seismic line
12
What is a reflector?
There are many
reflectors on a seismic
section. Major changes in
properties usually produce
strong, continuous
reflectors as shown by
the arrow.
A seismic reflector is a boundary
between beds with different
properties. There may be a
change of lithology or fluid fill
from Bed 1 to Bed 2. These
property changes cause some
sound waves to be reflected
towards the surface.
Bed 1
Bed 2
lower velocity
higher velocity
energy
source
signal
receiver
13
Understanding the data
Common Depth Points (CDPs)
Floating datum
Two way time (TWT)
Time versus depth




14
Common Depth Points
CDPs are defined as
the common reflecting
point at depth on a
reflector or the
halfway point when a
wave travels from a
source to a reflector
to a receiver.
Common midpoint
above CDP
Change in lithology =
reflecting horizon
Common reflecting point or
common depth point (CDP)
Sound sources
S
1
S
2
S
3

Sound receivers
R
3
R
2
R
1

15
The floating datum line represents travel time between the recording
surface and the zero line (generally sea level). This travel time depends
on rock type, how weathered the rock is, and other factors.
The topographic elevation is the height above sea level of the surface
along which the seismic data were acquired.
Floating datum
16
0.25 seconds
Two way time (TWT)
indicates the time
required for the seismic
wave to travel from a
source to some point
below the surface and
back up to a receiver.

In this example the
TWT is 0.5 seconds.
0.25 seconds
0
0.5
TWT
s
e
c
o
n
d
s

surface
Two way time (TWT)
17
Time versus depth
0.58 sec
m
1865
926
288
926 m
Two way time (TWT) does not equate directly to depth
Depth of a specific reflector can be determined using boreholes
For example, 926 m depth = 0.58 sec. TWT

18
Seismic interpretation

Check line scale and orientation.

Work from the top of the section, where
clarity is usually best, towards the bottom.

Distinguish the major reflectors and
geometries of seismic sequences.

19
Scale and orientation


Use the scale bar to
estimate the length of
the line
Use CDPs to check the
orientation of the line on
the accompanying map

20
Top down approach


first
second
third
Start at the top of the section, where definition is usually best
Work down the section toward the zone where the signal to
noise ratio is reduced and the reflector definition is less clear

21
Continuous
reflector
truncating
short ones
Reflector character and geometry
Reflectors
onlapping
continuous
one
Next
continuous
reflector
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3. Eakring exercise
This exercise has been developed to illustrate, in practice, how subsurface
information can be integrated and used to predict where an oilfield may
occur. It builds on the principles outlined in the PowerPoint presentation
and can be completed by individuals or small teams according to the time
available or their level of enthusiasm.

The seismic lines and base map can be obtained from Dorothy Satterfield
(d.satterfield@derby.ac.uk) in a format that is suitable for photocopying on
A3 paper. You will also receive a CD that contains a copy of the entire
PowerPoint presentation that you can customise as you wish. This is free!

The aim is to interpret the seismic data and then produce a map that shows
the subsurface structure in the region of the Eakring oil field. Oil fields
typically form in simple dome-like structures in the subsurface. The
structure must enclose porous and permeable rocks that are capable of
containing oil and in this example there are a number of potential reservoirs
developed in the Namurian and Westphalian (Carboniferous) sandstones. Oil
is prevented from leaking to the surface by overlying mudstones and coals
which are impermeable.


23
Background information
Oil exploration in the East
Midlands has a long history.

Eakring and the
neighbouring Dukes Wood
oil fields were discovered
in the 1930s. Most oil wells
at Dukes Wood date from
World War II, though this
nodding donkey or oil pump
may be a little younger.

Production at Eakring and
Dukes Wood was important
to the war effort in
Britain. Oil production at
Dukes Wood stopped in
1966, but it continued in
Eakring until 2003.
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Project data
Map showing the
location of the 5
seismic lines

The seismic data
were acquired in 1984
(hence the prefix 84
to each line number)

Notice also the
Eakring Village well
and the location of oil
fields in the area
25
Understanding the data (1)
CDPs are typically marked at intervals along the top of
seismic lines and they are regularly spaced to form a
horizontal scale. Here, 80 CDPs represent about 1
kilometre (km).
26
Understanding the data (2)
Signals from
farther away will
provide
information for
deeper horizons
Gaps in land seismic
data are due to
omissions where data
could not be acquired
For example, it is
not always possible
to transmit the
signal above pipes,
in sensitive areas
and above buildings
27
Understanding the data (3)
Two way time (TWT) is
recorded on the vertical axis
of the seismic line in
fractions of a second.
Sometimes it is more
convenient to express time
as milliseconds.

TWT is the time required
for the seismic wave to
travel from the source to
some point below the surface
and back up to the receiver.
0.0 seconds or
sea level
0.5 seconds or
500 milliseconds

1.0 seconds or
1000 milliseconds
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Correlating well and seismic data
Use the Eakring Village well, which is located near
the intersection of lines 69 and 70, to tie seismic
reflectors to known geological horizons identified in
the well:

- Base Permian at 150 milliseconds
- Blackshale Coal at 240 milliseconds
- Near Top Dinantian at 500 milliseconds

The potential reservoirs are Namurian and
Westphalian (Upper Carboniferous) sandstones that
occur below the Blackshale Coal and above the Near
Top Dinantian (Lower Carboniferous) horizon
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Blackshale Coal
240 ms
Base Permian 150 ms
Eakring Village
(projected)
Near Top
Dinantian
500 ms
Potential
reservoir
interval
T
w
o

W
a
y

T
i
m
e

(
T
W
T
)



i
n

S
e
c
o
n
d
s

Well tie to seismic
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
1.0
0.0
-0.1
-0.2
Eakring Village
(projected)
Base Permian 150 ms
Blackshale Coal
240 ms
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Correlating reflectors
Starting at the top of the section, interpret the Base Permian
unconformity away from the well on line 69 and correlate it with
intersecting lines 70 and 71.

Continue this process around the loops formed by lines 72 and 73,
ensuring that your interpretation is consistent and geologically
reasonable.

Repeat this process for the Blackshale Coal and Near Top
Dinantian reflectors, accepting that in some areas the data quality
is quite poor and a best-guess interpretation is necessary.

It may be helpful to annotate the lines to highlight where possible
faults disrupt the gentle dip of the Blackshale Coal.
31

Correlating the Base Permian unconformity
Start by interpreting the Base Permian unconformity away from the well
on line 69.
Eakring Village (projected)
Next fold line 70 at the intersection with line 69 and match them up. Find
and interpret the Base Permian unconformity.
Finally, unfold line 70 and finish the interpretation.
32
Plotting the Base Permian data
Determine the time values (in milliseconds)
for the Base Permian at an appropriate CDP
interval and plot those values on the map.
For example, on line 69 you could start by
plotting values at CDP 500, 600, 700, 800
and so on.
150
ms
150
ms
150
ms
160
ms
150
ms
150
ms
160
ms
150
ms
Base Permian unconformity
33
Mapping the Blackshale Coal
Because the potential reservoir interval is poorly imaged (the
reflectors are weak and discontinuous) the closest and most
prominent reflector to map is the overlying Blackshale Coal.

Determine the time value (in milliseconds) for the Blackshale
Coal at an appropriate CDP interval and plot that value on the
map. For example, on line 69 you could start by plotting values at
CDP 500, 600, 700, 800 and so on. In some areas it may be
necessary to infill with data at a finer scale.

Contour these values to make a time map. Take particular care
to recognise where faults may complicate the interpretation.

Normally, a time map is converted into a depth map using
velocity functions, but for the purpose of this exercise the
time/depth pairings at the top of each seismic line give an
adequate representation of the depth to a given horizon.
34
In some cases it may be easier to choose
convenient time values for contouring (say,
250 ms, 300 ms, 350 ms, etc.) and plot
these against the appropriate CDPs.
250
250
280
250
250
210
Plotting data for the Blackshale Coal
35
Contouring the data
Use the time values to produce
contours.


250
210
250
250
300
250
300
300
Label them in milliseconds to
create a subsurface time
structure map.
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Interpreting the map
1. What does the map show?

2. Using the time/depth pairings, what is the approximate depth in
metres to the top of the potential reservoir interval at the
crest of the mapped structure?

To answer this, plot the time/depth pairings on a graph, insert a
line of best fit and use it to derive the approximate depth of
the reservoir interval.

3. Where would you locate additional seismic data to confirm the
size and shape of the potential structural trap that you have
mapped?
37

Specimen answers
Extension activities
Web-based resources
Further reading
Contact us
Acknowledgements
4. Additional information
38
Specimen answers
The Blackshale Coal dips gently towards the NE and reaches a high point
in the vicinity of the intersection of lines 69 and 70. Faults can be
extrapolated in a variety of ways in the SW part of the map to create a
potential trap.
1.
The crest of the potential structure as
defined by the Blackshale Coal is at 210
milliseconds (at CDP 540 on line 69), but
the potential reservoir unit is at about
300 milliseconds. Inspection of the
time/depth pairings in the area shows
that 300 milliseconds corresponds to
about 350 metres below surface.
2.
The potential trap would need to be better defined by extending the
seismic lines in a southerly direction. The extent of the Eakring Field is
shown on the seismic line location map (Slide 24) and it is evidently an
elongate N-S structure, of which only the northernmost culmination is
defined in this exercise.
3.
0
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1 1.2
TWT (seconds)
D
e
p
t
h

(
m
e
t
r
e
s
)
39
Extension activities
Individuals or groups with sufficient time and interest
may want to tackle one of the following activities:

Research the economic and social impact of the wartime
extraction of oil from the East Midlands

Analyse the similarities and differences between onshore and
offshore oil exploration in the UK

Assess the remaining potential of onshore oil and gas in the UK

Account for the differences between the small oil fields in the
East Midlands and the much larger accumulation at Wytch Farm
in Dorset
40

This website, developed by the University of Troms in Norway,
contains a number of modules that summarise key geological
topics through simple animated cartoons. In particular, the Oil
and Gas module provides useful background information for
teachers and students who may not be conversant with
hydrocarbon geology.

http://www.ig.uit.no/webgeology/

Web-based resources (1)
41
Oil and Gas UK provides educational information on its website
including history of the North Sea and exploration and production
techniques.
http://www.oilandgas.org.uk/education/index.cfm

More specifically, Oil and Gas UK, with the support of the Natural
History Museum, has produced online and paper versions of
Britain's Offshore Oil and Gas , which is an excellent introduction
to the history, science and technology of the UK oil industry.
http://www.oilandgas.org.uk/education/storyofoil/index.cfm

Web-based resources (2)
42
The UK Onshore Geophysical Library manages the archive and
official release of seismic data recorded over landward areas of
the UK. One of the Library's main objectives is to provide active
support for academia, and there is limited support for provision of
data to educational institutions.
http://www.ukogl.org.uk/



Web-based resources (3)
43
Web-based resources (4)

This report, produced by the British Geological Survey (BGS) on
behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI),
provides a general synopsis of the petroleum systems of the
UKs onshore basins

It is a large (6MB) file that may take some time to open and
download

http://www.og.dti.gov.uk/UKpromote/geoscientific/
Onshore_petroleum_potential_2006.pdf

44
Web-based resources (5)

This website provides information about the Dukes Wood Oil
Museum and Nature Reserve, near Eakring. It is an interesting
place to visit because it combines both natural and industrial
history. School parties are welcome and the reserve is always
open, but access to the oil museum needs to be pre-arranged

http://www.dukeswoodoilmuseum.co.uk/

45

The Sedimentary Record of Sea-Level Change, edited by Angela
L. Coe, 2003. Co-published by The Open University and
Cambridge University Press, 288 pages.

A regional assessment of the intra-Carboniferous play of
Northern England, by Fraser, A. J. et al. in Classic Petroleum
Provinces, edited by Jim Brooks, 1990. Geological Society
Special Publication No. 50, pp.417-440.
Further reading
46
Dr Dorothy Satterfield
Geography, Earth, and Environmental Sciences
University of Derby (FEHS)
Kedleston Road
Derby DE22 1GB
Email: d.satterfield@derby.ac.uk


Dr Martin J Whiteley
Barrisdale Limited
16 Amberley Gardens
Bedford MK40 3BT
Email: mjwhiteley@yahoo.co.uk


Contact us
47
Data, images and advice were provided by the
following individuals and organisations:

Mark Alldred from the UK Onshore Geophysical
Library (UKGOL)

Oil and Gas UK for permission to reproduce data
contained in Slides 5 and 9-11

Tony Hodge and Mick Price from Roc Oil
Acknowledgements