Introduction to HorizonCube

Farrukh Qayyum
support@opendtect.org
 Outline

What is a HorizonCube?

Why a HorizonCube?

HorizonCube Types

HorizonCube Modes

SteeringCube for a HorizonCube

 What is a HorizonCube

It is a dense set of automated seismic horizons.

Coloured lines are the automated events of a data driven HorizonCube.

 Outline

What is a HorizonCube?

Why a HorizonCube?

HorizonCube Types

HorizonCube Modes

SteeringCube for a HorizonCube

 Why a HorizonCube?

Manual mapping of all seismic

events using a conventional
interpretation method is almost
impossible.

Thus, we need an automated

method i.e. HorizonCube.
 Why a HorizonCube?

Tracking in a dip field helps in mapping compared to convention

amplitude / similarity based autotracking.

A Conventionally mapped horizon (green) using amplitude based tracking.

B Dip based mapped horizon using (yellow) using dip-based tracking only.
 Why a HorizonCube?
Most of the sequence stratigraphic surfaces change seismic phase from
one area to another due to a lateral change in facies.
 Why a HorizonCube?
Most of the sequence stratigraphic surfaces change seismic phase from
one area to another due to a lateral change in facies.
Well 2 Well 1

16.2km

AI = Black log
Colours GR log (sand yellow, brown shale)
 Why a HorizonCube?
HorizonCube delivers many things.
 Outline

What is a HorizonCube?

Why a HorizonCube?

HorizonCube Types

HorizonCube Modes

SteeringCube for a HorizonCube

 HorizonCube Types

There are two types of HorizonCubes

Continuous HorizonCube Truncated HorizonCube

Applications: Applications:
Low Frequency Models Sequence Stratigraphic Interpretation
Geologic Modeling Wheeler Transformation
Attribute Visualizations in 3D Attribute Visualizations in 3D
 Outline

What is a HorizonCube?

Why a HorizonCube?

HorizonCube Types

HorizonCube Modes

SteeringCube for a HorizonCube

 HorizonCube Modes
Model driven Model driven:
The events are relative to upper and lower
horizons.
Proportional
Parallel to upper
Parallel to lower

Purpose: Visualization (stratal slicing)

Data driven

Data driven:
The events follow the seismic dip
(SteeringCube).

Purpose: Modelling and sequence stratigraphic

interpretation.
 Outline

What is a HorizonCube?

Why a HorizonCube?

HorizonCube Types

HorizonCube Modes

SteeringCube for a HorizonCube

 SteeringCube for a HorizonCube
Polar dips (BG vs. FFT) along an interpreted horizon.

Seismic Peak (Black - grey colour)

Seismic Trough (yellow-red colour)

Note that the dips computed from BG

method are higher than the dips computed
from FFT method.
 SteeringCube for a HorizonCube

Dip steered tracking results on a section

Start position* (seed) is the same.

Bad

Good

BG Steering (1,1,3) FFT Steering (2,2,4)

* F3 Block: Inline = 425, Crossline = 704, TWT = 776ms

 SteeringCube for a HorizonCube

Pitfall: FFT is computationally slower.

* No doubt BG is fast but it is difficult to optimize its parameters to get adequate HorizonCube results.