Seismic amplitude anomalies and AVO analyses at Mestena Grande Field, Jim Hogg Co., Texas

Abstract

Mestena Grande field is located in northeast Jim Hogg Co., Texas. It produces gas and condensate, primarily from the middle member of the Middle Eocene Queen City formation. The producing zone is a deep, thin, high impedance sandstone which generates amplitude anomalies on the stacked data. AVO (amplitude versus offset) analyses were performed to investigate those anomalies and determine if they could aid in field development or exploration along the trend. Modeling the AVO response of a productive well has predicted an amplitude decrease with offset from a high impedance sandstone. However, amplitudes increase with offset on the crest of the field. At Mestena Grande field, three categories of seismic amplitudes correspond with production with only one exception. The first category exhibits strong amplitudes on the stacked data and amplitudes increase with offset. This amplitude category is seen around the best wells in the field. Second are the moderate amplitudes which do not increase with offset that surround the wells producing at moderate rates. The third category is characterized by very weak amplitudes which decrease with offset, occurring near all but one of the dry holes. The disagreement between the results of the modelling and the real data is attributed to the lack of accurate shear wave velocities and the presence of very thin beds.