Methods for seismic sedimentology research on continental basins

In contrast to marine deposits, continental deposits in China are characterized by diverse sedimentary types, rapid changes in sedimentary facies, complex lithology, and thin, small sand bodies. In seismic sedimentology studies on continental lacustrine basins, new thinking and more detailed and effective technical means are needed to generate lithological data cubes and conduct seismic geo- morphologic analyses. Based on a series of tests and studies, this paper presents the concepts of time-equivalent seismic attributes and seismic sedimentary bodies and a ＂four-step approach＂ for the seismic sedimentologic study of conti- nental basins： Step 1, build a time-equivalent stratigraphic framework based on vertical analysis and horizontal corre- lation of lithofacies, electrofacies, seismic facies, and pale- ontological combinations; Step 2, further build a sedimentary facies model based on the analysis of single- well facies with outcrop, coring, and lab test data; Step 3, convert the seismic data into a lithological data cube reflecting different lithologies by means of seismic tech- niques; and Step 4, perform a time-equivalent attribute analysis and convert the planar attribute into a sedimentary facies map under the guidance of the sedimentary facies model. The whole process, highlighting the verification and calibration of geological data, is an iteration and feedback procedure of geoseismic data. The key technologies include the following： （1） a seismic data-lithology conversion technique applicable to complex lithology, which can convert the seismic reflection from interface types to rock layers; and （2） time-equivalent seismic unit analysis and a time- equivalent seismic attribute extraction technique. Finally, this paper demonstrates the validity of the approach with an example from the Qikou Sag in the Bohai Bay Basin and subsequent drilling results.