Time to Depth

Conversion
Felix Obere
This presentation includes forward-looking statements. Actual future conditions (including economic conditions, energy demand, and energy supply) could differ materially due to changes in technology, the
1
development of new supply sources, political events, demographic changes, and other factors discussed herein (and in Item 1A of ExxonMobil’s latest report on Form 10-K or information set forth under "factors
affecting future results" on the "investors" page of our website at www.exxonmobil.com). This material is not to be reproduced without the permission of Exxon Mobil Corporation.
Objectives
• Understand importance of time-depth conversion in the
Exploration process and the importance of interpretation in depth
vs. time

• Overview time-depth conversion methods and provide guidelines

in determining the appropriate method to fit your needs

• Understand differences between imaging depth and true depth

• Pitfalls and uncertainties in time-depth conversion

• Tools, tips and tricks

When is time-depth important ?
Seismic
Imaging
(Processing
Migration) Depth
Mapping/
Seismic Basin Modeling
Acquisition

Vp/s (x,y,z)
Seismic Rock Property/
Reservoir
Survey
Planning Velocity Prediction
is the Key

Post Well Drilling/

Appraisal well planning

Logs , Cores
VSPs , Checkshots

In all phases of Exploration, Development & Production

(after D. Marsden, 1993)
Definitions and Terminology
Time Definitions
T, T2 Two-way time
t One way time
Tx Two-way seismic travel time at an offset distance x
T0 Two-way seismic travel time at an offset distance of 0
T Two-way time in a layer
Tnmo Normal-moveout time (NMO)
Tw, tw Well Time
Ts, ts Seismic Time

Depth Definitions
Z Depth
Z Layer or interval thickness
Zw Well depth
Zs Seismic depth
Zn Normalization depth
Zmid Midpoint depth (Zn+Zn+1)/2

Velocity Definitions
V Velocity
Vi Interval velocity (Vint) _
Va Average velocity (Vavg, VBAR,V )
Vrms Root mean square (RMS) Velocity
Vnmo Normalized moveout velocity (stacking velocity)
Vnorm Depth normalized interval velocity
Ve Instantaneous velocity (Vinst)
Vw Well velocity
Vs Seismic velocity
Velocity Options for Depth Conversion
• Well Velocities
– Sonics
– Checkshot / VSP
– Pseudo Velocity – from well tops and seismic times

• Seismic Velocities
– Stacking velocities – Vave & Vint from Dix equation
– Tomography – travel time inversion using horizons &
stacking velocities
What Type of Velocity Data Should You Use?
Choosing A Time-Depth Conversion Method
The choice of method(s) for a particular area depends
on several factors:

• the objective of the exploration problem

• nature of the subsurface
• the type of velocity data available
• the time available
• the budget available

*A reliable depth conversion will tie existing wells and predict

depths accurately away from well control.
 Time-Depth Conversion Across Business Stages

• Exploration
– Verify structure
– Basin Modeling
Complexity &
• Development Data Availability
– Establish volumetrics/economics Increases

Available
• Production Time Decreases
– Well planning
– Geologic modeling
Time Interpretation Pitfalls
Scenario 1: Lithologies with anomalously high velocities can produce structural pull-up in the
time domain. Proper depth conversion will remove structures.

V = 2800 m/s Sand / Shale

V = 5000 m/s
Limestone

Target Target

Apparent Time Structure True Depth Structure

Time Interpretation Pitfalls
Scenario 2: Lithologies with anomalously low velocities can produce
structural sags in the time domain. Proper depth conversion may
produce structures.

Sand Sand

Shale Shale

Target
Target
Target

Apparent Time Structure True Depth Structure

Time Interpretation Pitfalls
Scenario 3: Lithologies with anomalously low velocities can produce
structural sags in the time domain. Proper depth conversion may
produce structures.

V = 3000 m/s Shale

V = 2000 m/s Gas Sand

Target
Target

Apparent Time Structure True Depth Structure

Time Interpretation Pitfalls
Scenario 4: Steeply dipping or rugose water bottom may cause pull
up/push down

flat water
waterbottom dipping rugose water bottom
flat bottom dippingwater
waterbottom
bottom rugose water bottom

Time
Depth Time Time
Depth Depth
Simple
Not so simple

Methodology should plan for water effects

 Why is it important for the interpreter to be involved in the T-D process ?
Would you drill ?

Time
Section
(sec.)

Depth
Sectio
n
(ft.)
 The interpreter is most knowledgeable in geologic changes which may impact the depth
conversion.
Would you drill ?

Time
Sectio
n
(sec.)

Depth
Section
(ft.)
 Exercise 2
QUIZ
Is the channel fill in Figures A and B of higher or lower
velocity than the surrounding material ?
A B

Water Water
Seismic time

high velocity channel

reflectors pull up reflectors push down

 Exercise 2
QUIZ
Geology Determines the TD Methodology
Average or Interval Velocities?
 Velocity Data Analysis
Observations:

•Checkshot and seismic data show Vint increase with

depth (compaction driven)

Seismic functions • Seismic velocities are faster than checkshots

• Seismic velocity variability increases

with depth
Checkshots
Time

Time

Methods to consider:
Time vs Vavg
Time-slice
V0+kz

Vint Depth
Time-to-Depth Conversion Methods
Single/Constant Function Example
Data Analysis
Check Shot Data
Time vs Depth
Time
Time

? Bad well ? – would

Vint help ?

Depth

Looks like a good fit.. or is it ?

Time
Time

Depth 10
Single/Constant Function Error
Time

Reservoir near 3.0 sec  900 feet

Depth
Polynomial for depth conversion
•Fitting a polynomial to several checkshots will result in an average velocity
function.
•This is best for depth conversion of maps over field
•An average from many wells might have larger errors at a proposed well location

•Plot two way time on X-axis and depth (ft TVDSS) on Y-axis
•Fit 2nd and 3rd order curves to the data. In rare cases in the JV, a 4th
order might be required for depths in over-pressured intervals
•Set the number of decimal places in the formula to 10
•Carry out error analysis
Time-to-Depth Conversion (Polynomial)
 Time-to-Depth Conversion (Polynomial)

20
QC and Error Analysis
•Estimate depths for 2nd and/or 3rd
order polynomials based on measured
two-way times from the checkshot

•Calculate the difference

•Review and compare the difference

between calculated and measured at
your interval of interest.

•The difference is representative of the

error you should expect in your
predictions
Top Structure Maps
Time Structure Map N Depth Structure Map
N

Depth Error Map N

CI: 5 ms CI: 20 ft

0 2500
m

• Similar structural (contour) trends

on the time and depth maps
• +/- 40 ft max. depth error range
Time-to-Depth Conversion Methods
Well Average Velocity QC Plots
Average Velocity Map for Depth Conversion
Time-to-Depth Conversion Methods
Average Velocity Time / Depth Slice Method
3D Average Velocity Model
Steps
•Well ties QC
1. Seismic loop ties
2. Time vs. Depth plots
3. Average Velocity vs. TWT plots

•Seismic Velocity QC

•Seismic to Well Velocity Calibration

•Generate Average Velocity Model

 Seismic Velocity QC
Seismic Velocities Seismic Average Velocities Cube

Location Map
• Seismic migration Vrms is obtained during Velocity Model AOI
seismic data processing
• Vint and Vavg velocities calculated from
Vrms using dix equation
• Good seismic velocity trend with no
significant outliers N
 Seismic-to-Well Velocity Calibration
Seismic Vavg Velocities along wells Ratio of Well to Seismic Vavg Velocities

Ratio
TWT(ms)

Seismic Vavg (Ft/s) TWT(ms)

Velocity Model AOI

• Ratio of Well to Seismic Vavg velocities shows consistent

decrease with time (and depth)
• Seismic velocities is higher than well velocities at depth

• Ratio ranges from 0.94 - 1.06

• Shows roughly linear trend of “Ratio vs. Time”

N
 Seismic-to-Well Velocity Calibration
Upscaled Well-to-Seismic Vavg Ratio Petrophysical modeling of the ratio

• Petrophysical modeling of ratio of Well to Seismic Vavg Velocity Model AOI

• Upscaled the ratios (along well path) into the model (50m by
50m by 4ms grid size)
• Used a defined 1D trend away from influence of well control
• Used Kriging interpolation algorithm to obtain a 3D ratio
volume

N
 Average Velocity Model
• 3D Average velocity model = 3D Seismic Vavg * 3D Final Well-to-seismic Vavg ratio
TWT(ms) vs Well-Seismic Vavg Ratio (Initial) TWT(ms) vs Well-Seismic Vavg Ratio (Final)

Seismic Vavg (Original) Calibrated Vavg (Post Kriging & Smoothing)

Y-Direction Y-Direction
Time-to-Depth Conversion Methods
Horizon Keyed Interval Velocity
Horizon Keyed Interval Velocity
Time-to-Depth Conversion Methods
Vint Gradient Calculation
Time-to-Depth Conversion Methods
Layer Cake Method
Geology and available data may require more than one method

1. Interpret geologic layers or sequences

When to Use
· Complex geology and 2. Analyze available velocity data and relationships
dramatic changes in velocity to determine the best method of depth conversion n for each layer
· Velocity inversions 3. Determine velocity functions, Vint, Vavg, isopachs, etc.
· Large regional areas
4. Convert layers to depth top down adding subsequent layers
5. Geology and available data may require several methods

Advantages
· Handles vertical and lateral velocity changes in
complex geology
· Utilizes numerous sources of velocity data in one
depth conversion i.e. well data, isopachs, velocity
functions, seismic velocities, sonic velocities,
interval velocities etc.
· Optimizes method used for each layer.
Disadvantages
· Takes more effort, time, and computer resources
· Each method has its strengths and pitfalls - when
we ignore the assumptions of the method error occurs
· Detailed seismic interpretation needs to be complete to
analyze velocity data and determine functions. A shallow
velocity anomaly may need horizons picked that are not
needed for prospect economic evaluation.
· Requires more velocity data for each seismic horizon
so that a function or relationship can be defined
Layer Cake Method
Depth Migration v. Depth Conversion
• Depth migration = an imaging issue used to properly focus &
position events laterally. PSDM data are not depth
converted!

• Depth conversion = a calibration issue that requires true

vertical propagation velocities such as those from well
control.

• Velocity Anisotropy - Depth conversion requires the vertical

component of the velocity field whereas imaging velocities
acquire the vertical and horizontal components. Anisotropic
Pre-Stack Depth Migration (APSDM).
Z-D Corrections
Imaging
Process Result Purpose:
•Reposition reflectors vertically & laterally
Depth Migration
•Collapse diffractions
Using optimal velocities for •Produce correct relative structural picture
structural imaging
Image correctly Imaging uses imaging velocities w/ horizontal &
positioned laterally vertical components
in Z Depthing
Convert to Time Purpose:
Using optimal velocities for •Convert seismic times to actual depths
structural imaging •Produce predictions of depths away from wells
•Absolute vertical calibration
Image correctly Done after Imaging
positioned laterally
in time Depthing strictly a vertical correction using
True Depth Conversion vertical propagation velocities only
Using vertical propagation
velocities
Actual depths
laterally & vertically
correct
Etris et al., 2001
 Time-to-Depth Conversion Pitfalls & Uncertainties

• What was the business objective when the model was created?

• What data were used to build the model?

• Deviated wells
•Positioning uncertainty
•Time Slice Interpolation

•Well Calibration – What is causing misties?

Well Calibration
Mistie Map= Well depth - seismic horizon converted to depth

What is the correction at

the new drill location ?


- 50


- 35

+200


Misties can be generated for attributes of time, depth, and velocity.

Note: A reliable depth conversion will tie existing wells and predict depths
accurately away from well control.
 Well Calibration
Step 1: Calculate the mistie between the well marker (t, d, velocity)
and its map equivalent

Step 2: Analyze the cause of the mistie.

Interpretation error? Interpretation resolution? Well Markers?

Step 3: Make appropriate corrections to minimize misties. Repeat Steps 1

and 2.

Step 4: Edit mistie map so it reflects analysis and is applied geologically

Step 5: Correct for residual mistie by flexing to the well control.

Technology recommends that you keep mistie map as backup for your depth
map.
When to ask for help
•Consult expert at the beginning of a new project
•When you have a velocity problem
– complex geology
– velocity gradients
– carbonates
– statics
•When you are using seismic velocities and have little or
no well control points
•Whenever you have a question
Time-Depth Conversion Summary
• Time-Depth conversion is important throughout
the Exploration/Development/Production cycle
• Set reasonable expectations given the data/time available and
the business objective
• Integration of geologic knowledge is the key to a good depth
conversion
• Identify geologic factors that affect the velocities early on
• Use the optimal time-depth method(s)
• Get expert help when you need it
Discussion
Ideas / Questions
Thank You
for
Listening