Seismic Attributes Contribution for CCUS Monitoring Projects

Abstract Seismic attributes are mathematical representations of various physical properties of the subsurface reservoir in seismic data, such as seismic amplitude, phase, frequency, and velocities. They are widely used in modern seismic interpretation workflows and can bring additional value at different stages of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) projects, as they provide an additional insight that cannot usually be achieved in the original seismic data. Seismic attributes can be used to identify potential CO2 storage layers, monitor the behavior of the CO2 plume during injection and migration and model or extract the exiting volumes from the data. In this study we assess the applicability of some selected seismic attributes routinely used in seismic interpretation, to enhance CCUS interpretative workflows such as stored carbon monitoring, migration path and volume extraction. We used the Sleipner Carbon Capture Storage (CCS) project 4D seismic dataset (Norway) to demonstrate the ability of structural and stratigraphic attributes to enhance mapping and monitoring of the injected CO2 plume through the years. Results from our experiments shows that structural seismic attributes can help to enhance the resolution of the original seismic data and obtain higher resolution imaging of the injected plume, by comparing changes in seismic amplitudes at the different stages of the injection. Stratigraphic attributes helped to improve the plume signature through the different stages of injection and extract the final shape of the injected carbon from seismic data as discrete geobodies. Interpretative Workflows using seismic attributes discussed in our paper can be replicated to other CCUS projects, and help to understand the injected carbon behavior, optimize injection strategies and ensure a safer and more effective storage process.