Nonlinear joint PP-PS AVO inversion based on improved Bayesian inference and LSSVM

Multiwave seismic technology promotes the application of joint PP–PS amplitude versus offset (AVO) inversion;however conventional joint PP–PS AVO inversioan is linear based on approximations of the Zoeppritz equations for multiple iterations. Therefore the inversion results of P-wave, S-wave velocity and density exhibit low precision in the faroffset;thus, the joint PP–PS AVO inversion is nonlinear. Herein, we propose a nonlinear joint inversion method based on exact Zoeppritz equations that combines improved Bayesian inference and a least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) to solve the nonlinear inversion problem. The initial parameters of Bayesian inference are optimized via particle swarm optimization (PSO). In improved Bayesian inference, the optimal parameter of the LSSVM is obtained by maximizing the posterior probability of the hyperparameters, thus improving the learning and generalization abilities of LSSVM. Then, an optimal nonlinear LSSVM model that defi nes the relationship between seismic refl ection amplitude and elastic parameters is established to improve the precision of the joint PP–PS AVO inversion. Further, the nonlinear problem of joint inversion can be solved through a single training of the nonlinear inversion model. The results of the synthetic data suggest that the precision of the estimated parameters is higher than that obtained via Bayesian linear inversion with PP-wave data and via approximations of the Zoeppritz equations. In addition, results using synthetic data with added noise show that the proposed method has superior anti-noising properties. Real-world application shows the feasibility and superiority of the proposed method, as compared with Bayesian linear inversion.

Facies Analysis, Sequence Stratigraphy and Diagenetic Studies of the Jurassic Carbonates of the Kohat Basin, Northwest Pakistan: Reservoir Implications

The present study deals with the depositional facies, diagenetic processes and sequence stratigraphy of the shallow marine carbonates of the Samana Suk Formation, Kohat Basin, in order to elucidate its reservoir quality. The Samana Suk Formation consists of thin to thick-bedded, oolitic, bioclastic, dolomitic and fractured limestone. Based on the integration of outcrop, petrographic and biofacies analyses, the unit is thought to have been deposited on a gentle homoclinal ramp in peritidal, lagoonal and carbonate shoal settings. Frequent variations in microfacies based sea-level curve have revealed seven Transgressive Systems Tracts(TSTs) and six Regressive Systems Tracts(RSTs). The unit has undergone various stages of diagenetic processes, including mechanical and chemical compaction, cementation,micritization, dissolution and dolomitization. The petrographic analyses show the evolution of porosity in various depositional and diagenetic phases. The fenestral porosity was mainly developed in peritidal carbonates during deposition,while the burial dissolution and diagenetic dolomitization have greatly enhanced the reservoir potential of the rock unit, as is further confirmed by the plug porosity and permeability analyses. The porosities and permeabilities were higher in shoal facies deposited in TSTs, as compared to lagoonal and peritidal facies, except for the dolomite in mudstone, deposited during RSTs. Hence good, moderate and poor reservoir potential is suggested for shoal, lagoonal and peritidal facies,respectively.

Seismic Attenuation and Velocity Dispersion to Discriminate Gas Hydrates and Free Gas Zone, Makran Offshore, Pakistan

Gas hydrates gained a remarkable attention as an unconventional energy resource recently. In order to interpret gas hydrates (part of fluid) and free gas saturated zone accurately, it is essential to implement new technique related to seismic attenuation and velocity dispersion. P wave attenuation and velocity dispersion in porous media made promising imprints for exploration of gas hydrates. The most prominent phenomenon for attenuation and velocity dispersion in porous media is wave induced fluid flow in which wave inhomogeneities are larger than pore size but smaller than wavelength. Numerical simulation technique is applied to analyze frequency dependent velocity dispersion and attenuation in gas hydrates and free gas layer in Makran offshore of Pakistan. Homogeneous and patchy distribution patterns of gas hydrates and free gas within pore spaces of host sediments at lower and higher frequency regime are considered. It is noted that the attenuation and velocity dispersion increase with the increase in gas hydrates saturation. The maximum attenuation is observed at 66% saturation of gas hydrates in the area under investigation. However, in case of water and gas mixture the maximum attenuation and velocity dispersion occur at low gas saturation (~15%). Therefore, based on our numerical simulation, velocity dispersion and attenuation can be used as seismic attributes to differentiate various gas saturations and gas hydrates saturation for Makran offshore area of Pakistan.