Comparison of Full Frequency Inversion, Constrained Sparse Spike Inversion and Geostatistical Inversion in Predicting Complex Carbonate Progradation Thin Reservoirs

Abstract Accurate characterization of thin, heterogeneous carbonate reservoirs remains a significant challenge due to complex sedimentary processes, limited vertical resolution, and the limitations of traditional seismic inversion techniques. This study illustrates the advantages of Full-Frequency Inversion (FFI) by comparing it with Constrained Sparse Spike Inversion (CSSI) and Geostatistical Seismic Inversion (GSI) in the prediction of progradational carbonate tidal channel reservoirs. FFI integrates waveform-driven seismic analysis, facies-controlled modeling, and shaped-spectrum synthesis across four frequency bands to produce high-resolution impedance volumes. It significantly improves both vertical and lateral resolution, overcoming the stochastic nature of GSI and the limited frequency bandwidth of CSSI. The method enables reliable prediction of thin reservoirs down to 2–3 meters in thickness and supports high-fidelity simulation of non-impedance attributes such as resistivity, gamma ray, and porosity. Applied to a Cretaceous carbonate formation in northern UAE, FFI successfully identified three main progradational bodies with distinct stacking and migration patterns. The results show good agreement with well data, accurately delineating high-permeability zones and improving the prediction of reservoir architecture. Compared to GSI, FFI achieved similar resolution with significantly shorter computation time and greater determinism. This case study demonstrates that FFI is a robust and efficient tool for predicting thin, laterally variable carbonate reservoirs. Its integration of geological constraints and seismic waveform characteristics makes it especially valuable for development planning in complex carbonate settings. The objective is to illustrate the advantages of full-frequency inversion (FFI) technology by comparing the application examples of full-frequency inversion, Constrained sparse spike inversion (CSSI) and geostatistical seismic inversion (GSI) in complex carbonate reservoir prediction. Full-frequency inversion technology can achieve accurate prediction of complex carbonate thin reservoirs and significantly improve the vertical resolution, lateral resolution and reservoir prediction accuracy. First, the principle of full-frequency inversion is introduced, then FFI is used to predict carbonate progradation reservoirs. Secondly, CSSI and GSI are used to predict carbonate progradation reservoirs. Finally, the three inversion technologies are compared and analyzed through examples to illustrate the application advantages and effect comparison of full-frequency inversion technology in the prediction of complex carbonate thin layers.