Automatic characterization and quantitative analysis of seismic facies in naturally fractured reservoir: Case study of Amguid Messaoud field, Algeria

Abstract

Purpose. Natural fractured reservoirs are a special category of reservoirs due to the effects of porosity and permeability. Optimizing the exploitation of hydrocarbon reserves in this type of reservoir requires a specific study compared to other conventional reservoirs. Methods. We have focused on the quantitative analysis of seismic traces for the purpose of an automatic seismic facies recognition strategy. The study area, the Amguid-Messaoud Basin, is formed by a series of horsts and grabens bounded by submeridional “North-East and South-West” faults, as well as perpendicular “North-West and South-East” faults with-out outcrops of fractures, which have a great influence on reservoir fracturing. A set of statistical data analysis methods, such as principal component analysis, discriminant factor analysis, and automatic classification, have been tested on real data from geophysical seismic data interpretation, in particular the stratigraphic interpretation. Findings. The results obtained show a better use of data, which, however, are of a different nature, leading to a reliable interpretation of the geological environment. Originality. The methodology proved to be useful for constructing a reservoir model and predicting the geological properties of the reservoir along a field. Practical implications. The results obtained clearly demonstrate the best use of data, which, however, are of a different nature, which leads to a reliable interpretation of the geological environment. These methods have proved to be very useful for constructing a reservoir model and predicting the geological properties of the latter along a field.