Pilot Fracture Characterization Study Using Seismic Attributes Derived from Singular Value Decomposition of AVOAz Data

This work presents a pilot study of the application of a seismic inversion technique for fracture density and fracture orientation in an area where available image log data revealed the presence of open fractures at a given well location. The inversion method is based on a singular value decomposition of azimuthal AVO data. This decomposition allows us to calculate seismic attributes which are linked to the fracture density of the fracture network through anisotropic rock physics modeling. The results reveal an area of high fracture density around the well where open fracture had been observed. The fracture orientations obtained are consistent with the interpreted image logs and outcrop studies in the area. The outcome of this pilot study is promising since the obtained results are consistent with existing image log data. Further testing and research on a larger area will be valuable to assess if the fracture characterization results are consistent with regional geological interpretations and other analysises of fracture networks in the reservoir.