Surgical Mapping - An Improved Seismic Interpretation Workflow for Enhancing Reservoir Delineation

This paper presents a sophisticated seismic interpretation method, termed “surgical mapping workflow” aimed at enhancing reservoir mapping in challenging environments. Traditional mapping techniques, reliant on well data and seismic-well tie analysis for horizon delineation, fall short in accurately characterizing reservoirs with minimal thickness and complex stratigraphy. In contrast, surgical mapping employs a detailed interpretation of key and surgical horizons, determined through iterative validation with well data and geological insights. This approach, although data-intensive, significantly improves the resolution and geological relevance of seismic attribute maps, enabling precise reservoir delineation.

Applied in diverse settings, from Malaysia’s shallow Sarawak Basin to the deep waters of Brunei and Suriname, surgical mapping has proven effective in improving reservoir models, optimizing well placements, and uncovering new exploration opportunities. This study underscores surgical mapping’s role in advancing seismic interpretation, highlighting its potential to revolutionize reservoir mapping and characterization with the future integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning for enhanced efficiency and accuracy.