The Use of Seismic Attributes for Submarine Channel Interpretation in Deepwater Taranaki Basin, New Zealand

Abstract

The Deepwater Taranaki Basin is considered as undeveloped and unexplored deepwater part of Taranaki Basin. The purpose of this study is to determine the submarine channel complex within Romney-3D seismic data by using seismic attribute and seismic facies analysis. Variance attribute is suitable for outlining the edge of channel complex. Instantaneous frequency attribute is good for observing the detail of architectural elements. Root mean square (RMS) amplitude and sweetness attributes indicate the lithological variation especially sweetness attribute which distinguishes between sandy and muddy lithology. The architectural elements of this study area can be detected by using seismic attributes. Seismic facies analysis is used to confirm the interpretation of these elements. Seismic facies can be categorized into five main facies including overbank deposits, mass transportation complex, inner levee deposits, stacking channel deposits, and point-bar deposits. In this study, seismic facies and seismic attribute are successfully used to define sand distribution mostly associated with basal lag and stacking channel of channel-fill deposits. These deposits may have good porosity and permeability providing a flow unit in submarine channel deposits.