Heavy-oil reservoir characterization using elastic wave properties

Ian Andrew Watson, Katherine Fiona Brittle, Laurence R. Lines

Two interpretation-based analysis techniques are used to delineate the steamed reservoir at Husky Energy's Pikes Peak heavy oil field in Saskatchewan. Two 2-D seismic lines were acquired over the field in near-coincident locations nine years apart to image the Waseca reservoir zone. The isochron method uses the interval traveltime differences to detect a relative time lag in the reservoir in the area where steaming and heating have occurred. The VP/VS ratio method compares interpreted traveltimes around the reservoir for P-P (compressional) and P-S (converted) wave data to delineate areas of steam injection. The interpretations were constrained using normal and converted wave synthetic ties from wells along the lines.