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3D seismic attributes for structural analysis in compressional context: A case study from western Sichuan Basin

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Abstract

Compressional region usually forms complex thrust faults system, which is difficult to identify using traditional migration profiles. The successful application of three-dimensional (3D) seismic attributes analysis greatly reduces the difficulty, and improves the accuracy and efficiency of seismic interpretation and structural analysis. In this paper, we took Qiongxi area in the compressional region of western Sichuan as an example, using two 3D seismic attributes, coherence and instantaneous phase, to identify fault assemblages and variations both vertically and laterally. The results show that the study area mainly consists of NS-, NE- and NEE-trending faults. The NS-trending faults are the largest and have a component of sinistral slip controlling the formation of NEE-trending faults, while the NE-trending faults are intermediate in scale, formed earlier and were cut by the NS-trending faults. Our results demonstrate that using seismic attributes for structural analysis have the following advantages: (1) more details of major fault zones, (2) highlighting minor faults which are hardly traced in seismic migration cube, and (3) easier acquisition of accurate fault systems. The application of seismic attributes provides a new idea for deciphering fine and complicated structures, and will significantly contribute to the development of objective and precise geological interpretation in the future.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China

    Bo Xu, Ancheng Xiao, Lei Wu & Liguang Mao

  2. Research Center for Structures in Oil & Gas Bearing Basins, Ministry of Education, Hangzhou, 310027, China

    Bo Xu, Ancheng Xiao, Lei Wu & Liguang Mao

  3. Geophysical and Geochemical Exploration Institute of Zhejiang, Hangzhou, 310005, China

    Bo Xu & Lijun Zhou

  4. Department of Earth Science, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, 650504, China

    Youpu Dong

Authors
  1. Bo Xu
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  2. Ancheng Xiao
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  3. Lei Wu
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  4. Liguang Mao
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  5. Youpu Dong
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  6. Lijun Zhou
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Correspondence to Ancheng Xiao.

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Xu, B., Xiao, A., Wu, L. et al. 3D seismic attributes for structural analysis in compressional context: A case study from western Sichuan Basin. J. Earth Sci. 25, 985–990 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-014-0497-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-014-0497-4

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