Fracture characterization of deep tight gas sands using azimuthal velocity and AVO seismic data in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Complex spatial distribution of fractures in a reservoir greatly affects the flow of fluids, including hydrocarbons, and can significantly increase reservoir porosity and permeability. This reservoir quality enhancement is especially important for tight reservoirs, where low primary matrix porosity and/or permeability would deem the play noncommercial. Therefore, fracture characterization is an important part of reservoir development and management, in particular for the type of deep and tight gas reservoirs west of the Ghawar Field in Saudi Arabia.