GEOLOGICAL INTERPRETATION AND WELL LOG

ANALYSIS OF F3 BLOCK, NORTH SEA

By

ABDUR-REHMAN QAZI

Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences,

Bahria University, Islamabad

2013
 2013 
ABSTRACT

The area under study is included in the Central Graben of southern North Sea
which comes under Netherland’s sector of North Sea. The 3D seismic survey (F3
block) was done in 1989 by NAM, a Dutch oil and gas company. 3D data contains
650 inlines and 950 crosslines. The research project is divided into three parts. The
first objective of the research was to interpret the sequences models on the seismic
data. Spectral decomposition attribute is used for the identification/delineation of
sequence boundaries. Four system tracts were identified with shale sand sequences on
seismic section including the Transgressive System Tract, High Stand System Tract,
Falling Stage System Tract and Low Stand System Tract. In order to get the
thicknesses of these system tracts, thickness maps were generated. Secondly,
structural analysis was carried out on the data set. Seismic attributes have been used
for the identification of reflectors and faults. Upper North Sea Group Formation has
been marked and mapped on the seismic data which is acting as a reservoir in the
area. Time contour and depth contour maps were generated for the horizon to
determine the structural trend in the area. Lastly wireline log data have been used for
the well correlation and petrophysical analysis. Well correlation was done in which
four wells were cross plotted demarcating the thicknesses and lateral continuity of
four system tracts. Petrophysical analysis was done afterwards in which the well was
divided into different zones. Results calculated with the help of available data
revealed that all the zones were water saturated having no amount of hydrocarbons in
it.
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

In the name of ALLAH, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

All praises to Almighty ALLAH, the creator of universe. I bear witness that
Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) is the last messenger, whose life is a
perfect model for the whole mankind till the Day of Judgment. Without the blessing
of ALLAH, I would not be able to complete my work as well as to be at such a place.
I am especially indebted to my supervisor Mr. Muhammad Raiees Amjad
(E&ES, BUIC) and co-supervisor Mr. Hassan Ahmed Qazi (LMKR) for giving me an
initiative to this study. Their inspiring guidance, dynamic supervision and
constructive criticism helped me to complete this work in time.
I would like to thank especially Head of Department Dr. Muhammad Zafar
and all faculty members of Earth and Environmental Sciences Department for their
valuable knowledge, assistance, cooperation, kind attention and guidance throughout
the completion of my degree.
I also acknowledge the help, encouragement, endless love, support and prayers
of my family and all my previous teachers which have always been a source of
motivation and guidance for me all the way.
Last but not the least, I owe special thanks to Prof. Dr. Tahseenullah Khan
who critically reviewed this research work and endowed me with his precious time. I
was fortunate to have his competent and devoted guidance which helped me to
convert my thesis draft into the present manuscript.

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 CONTENTS
Page
ABSTRACT i
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ii
CONTENTS iii
FIGURES v
TABLES vii

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction to the study area 1
1.2 Study area 2
1.3 Objectives 2
1.4 Data collection and description 3
1.5 Software used 4
1.6 Literature review 5

CHAPTER 2
GENERAL GEOLOGY OF THE AREA
2.1 Tectonic setting 7
2.2 Stratigraphy of the North Sea 10
2.3 Petroleum geology of the area 15
2.4 Exploration and production history 17

CHAPTER 3
3D SEISMIC DATA ACQUISITION
3.1 Stacking bin 19
3.2 Staking fold 20

CHAPTER 4
SEQUENCE STRATIGRAPHIC INTERPRETATION
4.1 Interpretation of geological features 23

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4.2 Base map 23
4.3 Stratigraphic interpretation 25
4.4 Steps in the stratigraphic interpretation of a seismic section 25
4.5 Sequence modal 25
4.6 Sequence stratigraphic interpretation of study area 27
4.6.1 Spectral decomposition 27
4.7 Wheeler transform and base level curve 42

CHAPTER 5
STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS
5.1 Shallow gas in Upper North Sea Formation 45
5.2 Identification of faults 45
5.3 Attribute analysis 46
5.4 Attribute analysis on the data 47
5.5 Effect of instantaneous amplitude attribute 47
5.6 Effect of instantaneous frequency attribute 48
5.7 Time and depth contour maps 50

CHAPTER 6
WIRELINE LOG ANALYSIS
6.1 Well correlation 53
6.2 Petrophysical analysis on zones 55
6.2.1 Volume of shale 55
6.2.2 Porosity calculation 56
6.2.3 Saturation determination for reservoirs 57
6.3 Petrophysical analysis of Zone 1 58
6.4 Petrophysical analysis of Zone 2 59
6.5 Petrophysical analysis of Zone 3 60
6.6 Petrophysical analysis of Zone 4 61
CONCLUSIONS 63
REFERENCES 64

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 FIGURES

Page
Figure 1.1. Exclusive Economic zones of North Sea and location map of F3
Block. 2
Figure 1.2 Adopted workflow for the thesis. 5
Figure 2.1. The outline of Laurussia, plotted on a ca. 420 Ma reconstruction.
Area of Caledonian orogenic deformation is tinted light brown,
and the white lines from east Greenland to Scotland and in Norway
represent the Caledonide Nappe Front. 8
Figure 2.2. Structural setting of the Southern North Sea. 9
Figure 2.3. Timescale and ages of the stratigraphic succession of North Sea. 14
Figure 2.4. North sea oil and gas fields. 18
Figure 3.1. Marine acquisition geometry showing seismic vessels looping in
oblong circuits. 20
Figure 3.2. A fold showing 40-fold coverage over the heart of the survey. 21
Figure 4.1. Base map of the 3D seismic grid with well locations. 24
Figure 4.2. Different depositional sequences modals with system tracts
currently in use. 26
Figure 4.3. Uninterpreted seismic section of inline 421. 28
Figure 4.4. Spectral decomposition cube of F3 block with 42 Hz frequency. 29
Figure 4.5. Spectral decomposition cube of F3 block with 52 Hz frequency. 29
Figure 4.6. Spectral decomposition cube of F3 block with 28 Hz frequency. 30
Figure 4.7. Inline 421 with marked sequence boundaries. 31
Figure 4.8. Crossline 600 with marked sequence boundaries. 31
Figure 4.9. Seismic section of inline 422 with marked TST, HST, FSST,LST. 32
Figure 4.10. 3D surface map of TST, showing the trend of the reflector. 33
Figure 4.11. Thickness map of Transgressive System Tract (TST). 34
Figure 4.12. Clinoforms that downlaps on Maximum flooding surface. 35
Figure 4.13. 3D surface map of HST showing the trend of the reflector. 36
Figure 4.14. Thickness map of High Stand System Tract (HST). 37
Figure 4.15. 3D surface map of Falling Stage System Tract (FSST). 38
Figure 4.16. Thickness map of Falling Stage System Tract (FSST). 39

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Figure 4.17. 3D surface map of Low Stand System Tract (LST). 40
Figure 4.18. Thickness map of Low Stand System Tract (LST). 41
Figure 4.19. Illustration of the theoretical functioning of wheeler diagram. 43
Figure 4.20. This figure illustrating the main depositional history, system tracts
and major hiatus in interpreted wheeler transform constructed
against the inline. 43
Figure 4.21. Wheeler‟s Diagram and its interpretation, North Sea. 44
Figure 5.1. Normal fault on seismic section of inline 230. 46
Figure 5.2. Instantaneous amplitude attribute applied on inline 240. 48
Figure 5.3. Instantaneous amplitude attribute applied on crossline 1100. 48
Figure 5.4. Instantaneous amplitude attribute applied on horizon. 49
Figure 5.5. Instantaneous frequency attribute applied on horizon. 49
Figure5.6. Time contour map of Upper North Sea Group Formation with 20
ms contour interval. 51
Figure5.7. Depth contour map of Upper North Sea Group Formation with 20
m contour interval. 52
Figure 6.1. Cross section of four wells showing the depositional trend of area. 54
Figure 6.2. Graph showing the available raw log data of zone 1 in track 1, 2, 3
and 4. Track 5 is showing the interpreted lithological content on
the basis of gamma ray log. Track 6 is showing the values of, Sw
and Sh. 58
Figure 6.3. Graph showing the available raw log data of zone 2 in track 1, 2, 3
and 4. Track 5 is showing the interpreted lithological content on
the basis of gamma ray log. Track 6 is showing the values of, Sw
and Sh. 59
Figure 6.4. Graph showing the available raw log data of zone 3 in track 1, 2, 3
and 4. Track 5 is showing the interpreted lithological content on
the basis of gamma ray log. Track 6 is showing the values of, Sw
and Sh. 60
Figure 6.5. Graph showing the available raw log data of zone 4 in track 1, 2, 3
and 4.Track 5 is showing the interpreted lithological content on the
basis of gamma ray log. Track 6 is showing the values of, Sw and
S h. 61

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 TABLES

Page
Table 1.1 3D seismic and wireline log data of F3 block. 3
Table 1.2 Header details of Well F3-04. 4
Table 2.1. Oil and gas producing formations of different fields of North Sea. 15
Table 3.1. Acquisition parameter of F3 seismic survey. 19
Table 6.1 Zones of interest for well F3-04. 55
Table 6.2 Summation table for the petrophysical analysis of zone 1. 59
Table 6.3 Summation table for the petrophysical analysis of zone 2. 60
Table 6.4 Summation table for the petrophysical analysis of zone 3. 61
Table 6.5 Summation table for the petrophysical analysis of zone 4. 62

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