Efficient trans-dimensional gravity inversion of salt structures offshore Abu Dhabi

Emad Ghaleh Noei, Jan Dettmer, Mohammed Ali, Gyoo Ho Lee, Jeong Woo Kim

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

This work investigates nonlinear inversion of gravity data to infer Infracambrian Hormuz salt structures offshore Abu Dhabi, UAE. A Bayesian approach with a trans-dimensional parametrization of the subsurface is applied that does not require regularization, resulting in more objective inversion results. The trans-dimensional parametrizations discretize the subsurface structure including the salt dome by an irregular grid of Voronoi cells. Both the number of cells and the cell coordinates are unknown parameters estimated from gravity data. The density contrast of the salt structures is assumed as known. The solution in Bayesian inversion is given by a large ensemble of parameter sets. Here, the trans-dimensional ensemble is obtained with the reversible-jump Markov chain Monte Carlo (rjMCMC) algorithm. Residual errors are parametrized by a full covariance matrix, which is estimated and updated as part of an iterative inversion scheme. Efficient rjMCMC sampling is achieved with parallel tempering. Inversion of airborne gravity anomalies illustrates well-defined Infracambrian Hormuz salt structures offshore Abu Dhabi, where the irregular grid spatially adapts to the data information and without the need to impose explicit regularization or fixed grids. Uncertainty estimates highlight salt dome extent. This study provides new insight into the existence and shape of oil reservoirs associated with the underlying salt structures.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publicationSociety of Petroleum Engineers - Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2019, ADIP 2019
ISBN (Electronic)9781613996720
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019
EventAbu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2019, ADIP 2019 - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Duration: 11 Nov 201914 Nov 2019

Publication series

NameSociety of Petroleum Engineers - Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2019, ADIP 2019

Conference

ConferenceAbu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference 2019, ADIP 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
CityAbu Dhabi
Period11/11/1914/11/19

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