Pore Pressure: Density Volume

Description Calculate a density volume from velocities (for pore pressure prediction).
Module(s) Pore Pressure Prediction
Requirements Velocity model
Related Pore Pressure, Eaton Pressure Volume, Miller Pressure Volume
Works with Velocity

This process creates a new density volume for use in pore pressure prediction (see PP: Eaton Pressure Volume and PP: Miller (No Unloading) Pressure Volume). The calculation depends on the selected parameters.

To fully read and understand the fundamental theory behind the different methods used for pore pressure analysis, see the Pore Pressure Prediction chapter, specifically Module Summary and 3D Model Building.

Workflow

Workflow
  1. In the Control Panel, open the Process tab.
  2. At the tab header, click the Add icon and select New Process.
  3. Double-click PP: Density Volume.
  4. Type a new name for the process and click OK.

Parameters

Parameters

This process is configured in 3 layers.

Select an interval velocity model at Velocity Volume and define the Velocity Units. The interval velocity must be a depth volume (see Velocity Conversion to convert the velocity, which we recommend that you QC it to ensure that the interval velocities are sensible).
Note: Velocity volumes should start from the seismic reference datum. If the depth the velocity starts is not consistent with the project's reference datum, see Configure a Project to change your project's seismic reference datum.

Water Layer

Define the Water Density and Waterbottom. You can use a constant depth or a horizon to define the waterbottom. If a horizon is selected, you can input a constant value to offset the horizon. If a waterbottom horizon is not supplied, then the water layer has zero thickness.

Extrapolation Layer

This layer begins at the top of the Calculation Layer, extrapolating smoothly up to the water density above. The shape of the extrapolation is a power-law curve, the exponent of which is set in the Power parameter.

Calculation Layer

Define the Layer Top using a constant depth or a horizon. If a horizon is selected, you can input a constant value to offset the horizon. The layer top defines the boundary between the Extrapolation Layer and the Calculation Layer.

At Method, select whether to use the power-law GGG relationship formula to calculate the density, or a custom formula. When entering a custom formula, the following variables are available:

vp — value from the velocity model, in m/s

The result will be in the unit selected in the drop down next to the formula.

Example Formulae:

2.5                                               [g/cc] — a constant 2.5 g/cc everywhere

1.4 + 0.00025 * vp                           [g/cc] — 1.4 plus velocity multiplied by 0.00025

1.75 * (vp/1000)^0.265                             [g/cc] — GGG (power-law form)

-0.0261 * (vp/1000)^2 + 0.373 * (vp/1000) + 1.458   [g/cc] — GGG (polynomial form)

The default Gardner/Gardner/Gregory formulae (including those shown above) use coefficients for shale, but with a custom formula you could provide coefficients for a different lithology (assuming a Vp in m/s):

Power-law Coefficients: rho (g/cc) = d * (Vp / 1000) ^ f

Polynomial Coefficients: rho (g/cc) = a * (Vp / 1000) ^ 2 + b * (Vp / 1000) + c

As a result of this process, the density volume will be added in the Volume tab.

Reference

Gardner, G.H.F., Gardner, L.W., and Gregory, A.R., 1974, Formation velocity and density - The diagnostic basics for stratigraphic traps. Geophys., 39, 770-780.