INTERPRETERS CORNER

Coordinated by Rocky Roden

Depth conversion of Tangguh gas fields

TIM KEHO, Saudi Aramco, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
DHARMAWAN SAMSU, BP, Houston, Texas, U.S.

he Tangguh gas fields are offshore Irian Jaya in eastern

Indonesia. The depth conversion approach described here
was used to locate and provide the depth predictions for
the last seven certification wells drilled on the Vorwata
structure (Figure 1). Two seismic events were picked on the
seismic data and were converted to depththe Top Kais and
the Base Cretaceous (Figure 2). The Plio-Pleistocene clastic
section overlies the Miocene Kais carbonate. Both carbonates and clastics are present between the Top Kais and the
Base Cretaceous. The Base Cretaceous horizon is the top of
the Late Jurassic shale, which lies immediately above the
Roabiba reservoir sand.
A two-layer model was created using the average velocity from the surface to the Top Kais, and the interval velocity from the Top Kais to the Base Cretaceous. Velocity
variation above the Top Kais is almost entirely due to compaction. The velocity below the Top Kais is strongly influenced by lithology variation.
Two depth maps were created from this model, the Top
Kais depth map and the Base Cretaceous depth map. Adding
the well-derived Late Jurassic shale isopach to the seismically derived Base Cretaceous depth map created the Top
Roabiba Reservoir Sand depth map. This approach was
used because the top of the Roabiba Sand is a weak seismic
event, which cannot be picked over the entire area. This problem is aggravated by the fact that peak frequencies at the
Jurassic level are 12-15 Hz.
This depth conversion approach was adopted after completion of well V-4 and was used to locate and provide the
depth predictions for wells V-5 through V-11. The final certification depth maps for the entire Tangguh area were also
generated using this method.
In our analysis we use the model, Vavg = V0 + kz. Marsden
et al. (1995) discuss the differences between the average
interval velocity, which we use in this analysis, and instantaneous interval velocity. They also discuss the pros and cons
of holding k constant and varying V0, or vice versa. Velocities
in our analysis are interpreted as related to compaction and
lateral lithology variation. Japsen (1998) provides a detailed
analysis of velocities related to geopressure and uplift in the
North Sea. He includes many references on depth conversion.
Methodology for map construction. The Top Kais horizon
is relatively flat and dips to the east as seen in a west-toeast seismic traverse (Figure 2) and in the Top Kais time map
(not shown). The variation in average velocity from the surface to the Top Kais is almost entirely due to compaction
and is modeled very well by the linear function,
Vavg = V0 + kz,
where z is the depth to the Top Kais.
The average velocity, Vavg, is computed using the log pick
for the Top Kais and the seismic time pick. To avoid time
pick errors due to different vintages of data, we only use
the wells within the 3D marine volume for determining the
slope, k (Figure 3).
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Figure 1. Map of Tangguh Gas Fields.

Figure 2. West to east seismic traverse. The Top Kais is a relatively flat
horizon dipping gently from west to east. The average velocity to this
horizon is expected to be controlled primarily by compaction. The second layer is more complex. Notice the additional section below the Base
Kais unconformity in the syncline east of the Roabiba-1 well. Lateral
variation in lithology is expected to have a significant impact on the
interval velocity for this layer.

Figure 3. Crossplotsurface to Top Kais. As expected, the average velocity to the Top Kais is primarily controlled by compaction and is a linear
function of depth.

To create the Vavg map, we replace z in the linear function with VavgT (T = traveltime to the Top Kais) and (after
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Figure 4. Top Kais V0. If the linear model fit the data exactly, V0 would
be constant. As shown here, V0 is almost constant, indicating that the
linear compaction model is quite accurate.

Figure 5. Top Kais Vavg. The Vavg map looks similar to the time map.
Velocity increases to the east as the Top Kais gets deeper.

Figure 6. Top Kais depth. Because there is essentially no lateral velocity

variation due to lithology, the depth map looks very similar to the time
map.

some algebra) generate the following expression for Vavg:

Vavg = V0/(1 - kT).
Vavg is computed by grid operations in ZMAP where V0 and
T are grids, and k is the constant determined by the linear
regression in Figure 3. The T grid is the Top Kais time structure map grid. The V0 map is generated by contouring the V0
data computed at each well, V0 = Vavg - kz, where k is the same
for all wells. The V0 and Vavg maps are shown in Figures 4 and
5. The resulting depth map is shown in Figure 6.
Because the velocity function is linear, the contours of
the velocity map, Vavg, look similar to the time map. For this
same reason, the depth map also looks similar to the time
map.
The Base Cretaceous time map is shown in Figure 7.
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Figure 7. Base Cretaceous time. The Kalitami, Wiriagar, Ofaweri,

Roabiba, and Vorwata structures are dominant features on the Base
Cretaceous time horizon.

Judging by the amount of structure on this map we expect

the interval velocity for this layer to be more complicated
than the simple compaction model used for the first layer.
This expectation is reinforced by the seismic data. The additional section just below 1500 ms between wells Roa-1 and
V-3 on the seismic traverse (Figure 2) clearly indicates that
we should expect lateral velocity variations due to changes
in lithology.
For simplicity, however, we again proceed by using a
linear model. The interval velocity, Vint, from the Top Kais
to the Base Cretaceous is modeled as,
Vint = V0 + kZmid,
where Zmid is the depth to the midpoint of the Top Kais to
Base Cretaceous layer. Zmid represents the average depth of
the second layer.
We could have chosen the top, Ztop, or the base, Zbase,
but neither of these represents the depth of layer 2 as accurately as the average depth, Zmid. One can imagine a layer
2 scenario where Ztop is constant and Zbase is dipping. Vint
in this case will increase where layer 2 is thickening as the
base gets deeper. If you plot Vint versus Ztop, you will not
see a correlation because Ztop is constant. Similarly, if Ztop
were dipping and Zbase were constant, you would not find
a correlation between Vint and Zbase. In both cases, however,
you would find a correlation with Zmid, which is the average depth (Ztop + Zbase)/2.
In general, neither Ztop nor Zbase are constant. This is what
separates layer 2 from layer 1. Ztop for layer 1 is constant.
Therefore, for layer 1, plotting Vint (Vint = Vavg for layer 1)
versus Zmid is no different than plotting versus Zbase. For layer
1, Zmid = (0 + Zbase)/2 = Zbase/2. So Zmid is just a factor of 2
different than Zbase. This means the correlation would be the
same whether you used Zmid or Zbase. We chose to use Zbase,
which is much more commonly used for the first layer.
Figure 8 shows the regression for the data within the 3D
survey. Notice that the scatter is much larger than for the
Top Kais average velocity (Figure 3). Clearly, the variation
in interval velocity for the second layer cannot be explained
by compaction alone.
Returning to the expression for interval velocity, because
Zmid is not known away from the wells, we use Zmid =
ZKais+Vint6T/2, and rewrite Vint as:
Vint = (V0 + k ZKais)/(1 - kT/2),
where ZKais is the Top Kais Depth grid, 6T is the Top Kais
to Base Cretaceous isochron grid, and the V0 grid is computed in the same manner as described previously for the
Top Kais depth map. The gradient, k, is the constant determined by the linear regression in Figure 8.
Figure 9 shows the V0 map for the second layer. As
expected, this map shows considerably more variation than
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Figure 8. CrossplotTop Kais to Base Cretaceous. Interval velocity at

well locations is plotted versus the midpoint depth of the second layer.
Notice that the velocity for this layer is not a simple linear function of
depth.

Figure 11. IsochronTop Kais to Base Cretaceous. The Tangguh structures are quite noticeable in this isochron. They formed during the
Miocene prior to the Base Kais unconformity.

Figure 9. Top Kais to Base Cretaceous V0. Notice that the V0 map for this
layer is not almost constant as it was for the Top Kais.

Figure 12. IsochronTop Paleocene to Base Cretaceous. The Paleocene

clastic wedge is thick over the onshore part of Wiriagar and thins to the
south and southeast. The smooth variation in thickness away from the
Paleocene depocenter indicates that there was little or no structure at Base
Cretaceous time.

Figure 10. Eocene clastics and Paleocene wedges (seismic traverse

through V-7). By looking at a series of isochrons within the second layer,
we can better understand the relationship between the V0 map and lithology variation.

Figure 13. IsochronTop Eocene clastics to Top Paleocene. The Eocene

and Paleocene clastic wedge is thin over the onshore part of Wiriagar,
thickens off the Paleocene shelf edge and thins to the south and southeast.
The smooth variation in thickness indicates that there was little or no
structure at the time the Eocene clastics were deposited.

the V0 map for the first layer. Because we are using a linear
model for interval velocity, the effect of lateral variation in
lithology will show up in the V0 map. The interval velocity
is composed of two components, V0, which is a function of
x and y, and kZmid, which is a function of depth. Therefore,
in general, lateral lithology variation is modeled by the V0
term, and compaction is modeled by the kz term.
To see if this V0 map makes geologic sense, we can examine the isochrons of the geologic intervals that compose the
second layer. Figure 10 shows a seismic traverse flattened
on the Base Cretaceous. Figure 11 is the isochron for layer
2, Top Kais to Base Cretaceous. All present day Base
Cretaceous structural highs show up as thins on this
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isochron. The thick carbonate sections occur in the synclines

between the structures.
By looking at layer 2 in more detail, we see that it is composed of an upper carbonate section and a lower clastic section. The Top Paleocene to Base Cretaceous isochron is
shown in Figure 12. The Paleocene clastic wedge is thick over
the onshore part of Wiriagar and thins to the south and
southeast. The smooth variation in thickness away from the
Paleocene depocenter indicates that there was little or no
structure at Base Cretaceous time.
Figure 13 shows the Top Eocene to Top Paleocene
isochron. The Eocene clastic wedge is thin over the onshore
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part of Wiriagar, thickens off the Paleocene shelf edge and

thins to the south and southeast. The smooth variation in
thickness indicates that there was little or no structure at
the time the Eocene clastics were deposited.
Adding the previous two isochrons produces the Top
Eocene to Base Cretaceous isochron (Figure 14). This interval contains Eocene and Paleocene clastics and Cretaceous
carbonates. Because the Cretaceous has uniform thickness,
these carbonates have little impact on lateral velocity variation. Notice that the clastic section varies smoothly. It is
thick to the north and thins to the south, southeast, and
southwest.
Because the velocity of the carbonates is higher than the
velocity of the clastics, we can get an idea of the lateral velocity variation due to lithology by constructing a carbonate
fraction map. The carbonate fraction (Figure 15) is the
isochron of the carbonate interval from the Top Kais to the
Top of the Eocene clastics divided by the isochron of the
entire interval from the Top Kais to the Base Cretaceous.
Notice that the carbonate fraction varies from 0.40 over the
onshore portion of Wiriagar Deep to over 0.80 east of
Vorwata. As expected, the V0 map is similar to this map, with
higher velocities associated with higher carbonate fraction.
Ideally, having noticed the correlation of velocity and
carbonate fraction, we would prefer to separate the second
layer into two layers and use a three-layer model.
Unfortunately, the Top Eocene clastics horizon cannot be tied
to the wells with sufficient accuracy to create a three-layer
model which is more accurate than the two layer model. This
is because the Top Eocene clastics do not correspond to a
definitive log marker. Therefore, a three-layer model is not
used. Instead, the carbonate fraction map is used qualitatively to modify the V0 map for the second layer.
Another model investigated for predicting the isochore
for the second layer was a dual regression of the interval
velocity as a function of both depth and carbonate ratio, Vint
= V0 + k1Zmid + k2CF. Because both the carbonate fraction
and the depth to the Base Cretaceous increase to the southeast, and increase in the syncline, it is possible to create an
accurate velocity model with less dependence on depth
(lower k1), and a stronger correlation with carbonate fraction.
This approach was not used initially because the velocities were not high enough on the flanks of Roabiba to close
that structure at the expected spill point. It was never
adopted later on because the results of the single regression
model were very accurate.
The interval velocity for the second layer is computed
using the V0 map as described above. The map is shown in
Figure 16. The Base Cretaceous depth map is created by
adding the Top Kais to Base Cretaceous isochore to the Top
Kais depth map.
One problem with the layer approach to depth conversion is artifacts in the depth map due to faults in the shallower layers. This is a problem for the Wiriagar Deep area
because the higher intensity folding there resulted in significant faults in the Top Kais horizon. Simply adding the
layer two isochore to the Top Kais depth map results in Top
Kais faults being visible on the Base Cretaceous depth map.
This problem was addressed by computing the average
velocity from the surface to Base Cretaceous by dividing the
Base Cretaceous depth map by the Base Cretaceous time
map. The average velocity map was smoothed west of the
syncline between Wiriagar Deep and Vorwata to remove the
artifacts, and then multiplied by the time map to compute
the final Base Cretaceous depth map (Figure 17).

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Figure 14. Adding the previous two isochrons produces the Top Eocene to
Base Cretaceous isochron. This represents the clastic portion of the second
layer.

Figure 15. The carbonate fraction is computed by dividing the carbonate

isochron (Top Kais to Top Eocene clastics) by the layer two isochron (Top
Kais to Base Cretaceous). This is an approximation because the actual
carbonate fraction is a ratio of isochores not isochrons. Notice the similarity between the carbonate fraction map and the V0 map for layer 2 (compare to Figure 9). This similarity is convincing evidence that the variation
in V0 is due to lateral variation in lithology, and, as a result, increases our
confidence in the V0 map. The carbonate fraction concept allows us to
extend the V0 map away from well control.

Figure 16. Top Kais to Base Cretaceous Vint. The structures are visible in
the interval velocity map due to the Zmid term, which causes Vint to
increase with depth.

Results. Table 1 compares actual versus predicted Base

Cretaceous depths for Vorwata. The predicted depths for V5 through V-11 were taken from a map generated in the late
fall of 1997. The right column shows the distance from the
nearest control well. Figures 18 and 19 show, for the Vorwata
area only, the layer 2 interval-velocity map and Base
Cretaceous depth map. The control points used for develOCTOBER 2002

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oping the depth map are wells V-1 through V-4

(red).
The accuracy of the depth map is excellent, particularly considering the narrow bandwidth of the
seismic data after propagation through about 6000
ft of carbonates. Notice that the errors are less than
50 ft at depths of 12 500 ft, for V-5, V-6, V-9, and V10 which are up to 6.2 km from the nearest control.
The errors are twice that for V-8 and V-11, but these
wells are twice as far from the nearest control.
Dolomites, encountered for the first time in V-11, are
most likely the cause for higher than predicted
velocities to the east in V-11 and V-8.
It is important to note that all predicted depths
came
from the same map. Predicted depths for wells
-0.11
Mean
-14
in this table were not updated using results from
The prognoses for these seven wells were very accurate. It is important to note that all
previous wells. Three of the wells were drilled
of these prognoses came from a single map constructed after V-4. The prognoses were
simultaneously. After drilling was completed, a final
not updated after each well was drilled. Ignoring V-7 for a moment, which is a special
map was generated which exactly ties all wells.
case, notice that wells drilled up to 6 km from the nearest control well were predicted
The largest error is at V-7; however, this is a spewithin 50 ft at depths over 12 000 ft. Depth errors over 100 ft only occur for V-8 and
V-11 which are 10 to 11 km from the nearest control. These two wells came in deeper
cial case. It was located on the northwestern flank
than predicted due to faster dolomites which were not encountered in the carbonate
of the Vorwata structure with the goal of encounsection in the wells to the west. The simple carbonate/clastic model for Layer 2 did not
tering the gas/water contact. Therefore, the well was
take into account variation in carbonates. Note that these prognoses are much more
located at the presumed spill point of the structure
accurate than the scatter around the linear regression would indicate. This is because
and aggressively positioned down flank so that the
the scatter is not random. The lithology variation, which causes the scatter, has been
GWC would be encountered at the top of the Roabiba
taken into account through the V0 map. Since V0 is not constant, the interval velocity
model is no longer a simple linear model.
Sand (Figure 20). Notice that the well is in the bottom of the syncline in the time domain.
The primary control on the velocity at this location is
the predicted GWC from pressure data. The carbonate fraction map shows higher carbonate fraction in the syncline
between Wiriagar Deep and Vorwata. Because the V0 map
was derived from well data only, the syncline did not show
up as higher velocity on the V0 map. Therefore, the velocities on the V0 map were increased in the syncline to be consistent with the higher carbonate fraction in the syncline.
This allowed the depth of the Top Roabiba sand to be pushed
down below the GWC.
As shown in Table 1, the Base Cretaceous came in shallower than predicted. The GWC was not encountered in the
well. In order to explain how the Vorwata structure can
close without encountering water in V-7, we examined the
Figure 17. The Base Cretaceous depth map is computed by multiplying
relative thicknesses of the different carbonate sections across
the interval velocity and isochron grids for Layer 2 to produce the Layer 2
the syncline. Because the Kais and Sago limestones have
isochore map which is added to the Top Kais depth map.
about the same velocity but are slower than the underlying
Eocene carbonates, the syncline is shallower in depth on the
east than on the west. This is because the higher velocity
Eocene carbonates make up a larger fraction of layer two at
the west edge of the syncline than at the east edge.

Table 1. Base Cretaceous depthactual versus predicted

Average
Distance
to nearest distance to
Well Actual Predicted
Error %Error well (km) V-2, V-3, V-4
5.9
5.0
12 420
V-5 12 470
-50 -0.40
4.8
3.6
0.09
12 382
V-6 12 371
11
9.5
4.2
1.87
13 030
V-7 12 791
239
10.1
6.2
-0.34
12 481
V-9 12 524
-43
10.2
4.5
12 520
V-10 12 523
-3 -0.02
14.2
11.2
-1.02
12744
V-11 12 875
-131
11.0
-0.95
9.6
12278
V-8 12 396
-118

Figure 18. Kais to Base Cretaceous Vint (Vorwata only). This depth conversion method was used to predict the Vorwata wells drilled after V-4.
This map shows the locations of the control wells in the Vorwata area:
Roabiba-1 and V-1 through V-4. Notice the large variation in interval
velocity east of V-2. These velocity contours could easily be drawn in a
more east-west direction resulting in interval velocities hundreds of feet
per second different than shown. Because Layer 2 is about 6000 ft thick,
velocity errors this large would result in depth errors of several hundred
feet.
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Conclusion. The depth predictions for four of the final five

certification wells located by ARCO on the Vorwata structure were accurate within 50 ft of actual tops, at depths of
almost 13 000 ft. These wells were 4-6 km from the nearest
well used for generating the depth map. Two other wells
had about twice the error but were also twice as far (10-11
km) from the nearest control well. This success, along with
accurate prediction of reservoir thickness, provided a confident determination of bulk volume for certification.
Generating velocity maps, as opposed to using a function to convert directly from time to depth, is a very useful
step in interpretation and is highly recommended. Bulls
eyes around wells in the V0 map may indicate errors in the
seismic time picks, or errors in the formation tops.
Generating preliminary V0 maps while still interpreting the
seismic time horizons allows resolution of these problems
early in the interpretation. Smoother anomalies in V0 may
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Figure 19. Base Cretaceous depth (Vorwata only). This is the close-up of
the Base Cretaceous depth map showing the prognosed wells, and the
control wells.

indicate areas of uplift or lateral velocity variation due to

changes in lithology. These hypotheses can then be tested
using other data, such as isochrons.
Suggested reading. Regional velocity-depth anomalies, North
Sea Chalk: A record of overpressure and Neogene uplift and
erosion by Japsen et al. (AAPG Bulletin, 1998). Analytic velocity functions by Marsden et al. (TLE, 1995). TLE
Acknowledgments: We thank Benny Yusuf for his contributions and the
following companies for permission to publish: Atlantic Richfield Indonesia

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Figure 20. V-7 was located on the northwestern flank of the Vorwata
structure with the goal of encountering the gas water contact. Because the
Kais and Sago limestones have about the same velocity but are slower
carbonates than the underlying Eocene carbonates; the syncline is shallower in depth on the east than on the west. This is because the higher
velocity Eocene carbonates make up a larger fraction of layer two at the
west edge of the syncline than at the east edge.
(Now BP Indonesia), KG Berau Petroleum, KG Wiriagar Petroleum,
Occidental Oil and Gas Corporation, Nippon Oil Exploration, BG
International Indonesia, CAIRNS, and Indonesia Natural Gas Resources
Muturi. Tim Keho was formerly with BP, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Corresponding author: timothy.keho@aramco.com

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