Diffraction imaging of the fractured crystalline basement, Lancaster field, UK

In this paper, we demonstrate the application of seismic diffraction imaging technology to map the distribution of faults within Hurricane Energy’s operated, fractured basement fields, offshore West of Shetland. After the reprocessing of legacy 3D seismic data in 2018, it became apparent that the reflection seismic image had limited ability to image the intra-basement structure. Intra-basement imaging is crucial for understanding the distribution, frequency and geometry of intra-basement structures which directly influence production trends in fractured basement reservoirs. Diffraction imaging is a novel seismic processing technique that can produce high-resolution images of small-scale scattering subsurface events by extracting and focusing the diffractive component of the total wavefield to its subsurface origin. Analysis of the diffraction imaging seismic volume alongside well data and other seismic products can complement conventional seismic attributes and enhance the interpretational value of the seismic data. This paper shows how the intensity of the diffraction image varies from location to location across the Rona Ridge and is seen to have a strong, positive correlation with observed well productivity. As such, the application of this technology shows great promise to provide additional information for detailed analysis of Hurricane Energy’s fractured basement reservoirs and can facilitate new well placement and trajectory design.