Seismic attributes and static reservoir simulation applications for imaging the thin-bedded stratigraphic systems of the Lower-Cretaceous Lower Goru fluvial resources, Pakistan

Fluvial depositional systems accommodate a variety of primary stratigraphic-based trapping pools (STP) such as the channelized sands (CS) and point bars (PB). When they are encased within the non-porous and compacted shales, they develop hydrocarbon-bearing reserves. However, these STP are developed during the rapidly rising sea level and standstill, which creates hurdles in the development of accommodation space to accumulate the thin-bedded (hydrocarbon-bearing) and coarse-grained PB. PB are the primary stratigraphic traps within the fluvial hierarchy. Therefore, they require sophisticated tools such as reflection-based impedance reservoir simulations to simulate the thickness, accommodation space, proximal and distal locations, and sealing configurations of PB from a 3D perspective. The conventional seismic amplitudes are not sufficient enough to quantitatively portray these seismic sedimentological attributes due to a lack of preserved amplitudes and tuning frequency content aimed at fluvial-dominated clastic sequences. Therefore, the ultimate goal of conducting this research work is to detect thin-beds of PB and CF aimed at accumulating and generating hydrocarbon-posture STP. These thin-bedded reservoir facies are very delicate in tuning the frequency of the sub-surface systems. They require amplitude-based seismic data interpretation tools such as amplitude-based seismic attributes and inverted reservoir simulations. These tools can image the exact thickness of the reservoir lithology and types of fluids compared to the bandlimited geometrical attributes. Generally, the inverted reservoir simulations reconstruct the reflection-based impedances for the stratigraphic reservoirs, which helps in the quantification of the sub-surface thin-bedded stratigraphic systems. Therefore, the amplitude-based seismic attributes and thin-bedded wedge static reservoir simulation (SRSN) tools are applied on the 3-D seismic data of a gas field of Indus Basin of Pakistan. The amalgamated root-mean-square (RMS)-based seismic amplitude and frequency highlighted a full of twist continuous meander channel with a sinuosity index (S.I) > 2.7. Strong low-frequency shadows are observed at 23 Hz magnitudes that authorize the restoration of petroleum-posture fluvial-dominated PB inside the STP. The amplitude attenuation model using the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) shows the rapid attenuation of spectral energy below the PB. The SRSN determined a 16 m thickness of STP using a constant velocity of 3449 m/s, which pinched out in the east of the Indus Basin. The predicted physical attributes from SRSN and their cross-plots against the thickness constraint have discriminated against the dominant sedimentary facies of the fluvial system during the significant rising and negligible falling sea levels followed by the standstill. The predicted physical parameters have enabled vigorous controls aimed at developing accommodating intervals that have stored a significant amount of hydrocarbon-bearing PB. The quantitative characterization has enhanced acoustic impedance [AI] [g/c.c.*m/s] and thickness of PB with a strong correlation coefficient of R2 > 0.93. The predicted AI [g/c.c.*m/s] and thicknesses [m] aimed at PB were −0.214 to −0.219 g/c.c.*m/s and 16 to 19 m. Therefore, the SRSN can be used as a dynamic instrument for the accurate prediction of AI [g/c.c.*m/s] and thickness for the characterization of fluvial systems. This workflow may serve as a vital example for exploring the oil and gas-bearing stratigraphic system within the Indus Basin and similar basin settings.