Automated phase attribute-based picking applied to reflection seismics

We have applied an attribute-based autopicking algorithm to reflection seismics with the aim of reducing the influence of the user’s subjectivity on the picking results and making the interpretation faster with respect to manual and semiautomated techniques. Our picking procedure uses the cosine of the instantaneous phase to automatically detect and mark as a horizon any recorded event characterized by lateral phase continuity. A patching procedure, which exploits horizon parallelism, can be used to connect consecutive horizons marking the same event but separated by noise-related gaps. The picking process marks all coherent events regardless of their reflection strength; therefore, a large number of independent horizons can be constructed. To facilitate interpretation, horizons marking different phases of the same reflection can be automatically grouped together and specific horizons from each reflection can be selected using different possible methods. In the phase method, the algorithm reconstructs the reflected wavelets by averaging the cosine of the instantaneous phase along each horizon. The resulting wavelets are then locally analyzed and confronted through crosscorrelation, allowing the recognition and selection of specific reflection phases. In case the reflected wavelets cannot be recovered due to shape-altering processing or a low signal-to-noise ratio, the energy method uses the reflection strength to group together subparallel horizons within the same energy package and to select those satisfying either energy or arrival time criteria. These methods can be applied automatically to all the picked horizons or to horizons individually selected by the interpreter for specific analysis. We show examples of application to 2D reflection seismic data sets in complex geologic and stratigraphic conditions, critically reviewing the performance of the whole process.