Surface–subsurface Integration Reveals Faults in Gulf of Suez Oilfields

Reservoir mapping in the Gulf of Suez petroleum system is challenging because rifting broke up the reservoirs by transform and cross-faults. These faults are still active and outcrop at the surface thereby posing a risk for drilling. We have developed a methodology that integrates fault outcrop mapping, seismic near surface characterization as well as ant tracking of faults and geobody extraction on a seismic PSTM cube. The interpretation of satellite imagery provides the outcrop structural geology. Shallow seismic techniques comprise Rayleigh wave velocity mapping and rayparameter interferometry. The methodology utilizes a combination of GIS and reservoir modelling software for the surface-subsurface integration. The joint analysis of Rayleigh wave data with satellite imagery provides a near surface structural geologic model, which can be interpreted for shallow drilling risks related to fault outcrops. The suite of near surface geological products – Rayleigh wave velocity mapping, short offset rayparameter interferometry and shallow fault mapping – is enabled by the acquisition, processing and interpretation of point-receiver seismic data. For the first time detailed structural geology comprising faults and lithology changes was imaged in the near surface, a data regime that is conventionally contaminated by the seismic acquisition footprint.