Unconventional gas detection by AVAZ and elastic inversion -- A case study in Central Sichuan Basin, China

Summary A pioneering study of an unconventional tight sand gas reservoir has been carried out in Central Sichuan Basin, China. Through seismic data processing and analysis of amplitude and velocity variation with azimuth, fracture distribution for the target reservoir zones has been predicted. The results show good correlation with well log data and known drill outcomes. Together with other reservoir attributes derived by simultaneous elastic inversion and stress analysis, sweet spots for future hydraulic fracturing and drilling characterized with high fracture density, low Poisson’s ratio and high Young’s modulus have been mapped out as well.