Abstract

Carbonate buildups are often ideally suited for stratigraphic interpretation from reflection seismic data because of depositional topography or a contrast in lithology, interval velocity, density or bedding characteristics between the buildup and enveloping beds. Geophysical criteria that allow recognition of buildup can be either (1) direct, those conditions in seismic parameters that directly outline the buildup such as reflections from the boundaries of the buildup, onlap of cycles, or seismic facies changes between the buildup and enveloping beds or (2) indirect, those conditions in the seismic parameters that indirectly outline or indicate the presence of the buildup such as drape, velocity anomalies, spurious events or use of basin architecture to infer locations of buildups. In each case, all available geological and geophysical data should be used in interpretation of carbonate buildups; the techniques of seismic stratigraphic and seismic facies analysis provide the framework for this interpretation.