Predicting stratigraphy with spectral decomposition

Interpretation of subsurface geology is greatly enhanced by 3-D seismic data, and this accounts for its ubiquity in today’s search for hydrocarbons. Seismic interpretation has two fundamental disciplines at its core: seismic geomorphology and seismic stratigraphy. Plan views allow the explorationist to apply principles of geomorphology, based on analogies with modern sedimentary systems, to interpret depositional environments and even predict facies distributions. On the other hand, section views require stratigraphic interpretation and help determine stratal architecture and the temporal development of the depositional system. Both approaches give insight into the geological processes that formed the hydrocarbon play (eg Posamentier 2003). This paper explores a technique to take this insight to deeper levels.