New diffraction directivity prestack attributes for seismic fracture prediction

Locating small-scale faults and fractures is an important task in reservoir characterization. These linear subsurface features generate azimuthally oriented diffractions. A diffraction directivity can be utilized for seismic fracture prediction. A numerical procedure was developed to calculate two new prestack diffraction attributes: The fracture azimuth and the fracture detection reliability. The new attributes can be used to refine structural and stratigraphic interpretation and to guide the fracture properties modelling in 3D geostatistical applications. The evaluation of these attributes on a field dataset containing a fractured reservoir showed promising results for seismic fracture characterization.