Seismic Sensitivity Analysis of Different Carbonate Lithofacies

Abstract

Using a complete 2D full-elastic seismic simulation from geological modelling, to 2D seismic data forward modelling, to non-linear full-waveform inversion – the interaction of various carbonate lithofacies are observed. Specifically, three different environments of deposition within a carbonate shelf along with their pore-types ranging from partially cemented moldic macropores, open vugs, to the intergranular pores of coral facies are of key interest. To fully grasp the interaction, lithofacies determination of the inverted parameters are characterized to see if the different lithofacies can be matched to their true counterpart of the geological model or distinguishable based on crossplot clustering. In the end, our findings show that individual pore-types are unable to be detected using only inverted surface-seismic data – rather, various facies groups of depositional environments are capable of being characterized by the crossplot clustering of elastic parameters and seismic velocities.