In this article, we present a high-resolution shallow seismic surveying method for imaging the inner structure of the Miocene evaporitic formation, where sulfur ore occurs. The survey was completed in the northern part of the Carpathian Foredeep (SE Poland) where sulfur deposits occur up to a depth of ca. 260 m. In this region, the sulfur ore is strata-bound and exists within a carbonate interval of a thickness of approximately 28 m. The average sulfur content reaches up to 30%. Five seismic profiles were acquired with a total length of 2450 m. The acquisition was designed to obtain high-resolution, long offsets and a satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio. In the field, we used 48 channels and variable end-on roll-along spread that allowed us to record offsets of up to 375 m. Data processing was aimed at preserving relative amplitudes (known as RAP, relative amplitude preservation processing), an approach that is necessary for seismic inversion application. With the utilization of well log data and results of simultaneous inversion, we were able to calculate the elastic properties of the deposit to evaluate sulfur ore content and changes in lithology. The sulfur content is strongly dependent on the carbonate reservoir’s porosity. To evaluate porosity changes and associated sulfur content, a simultaneous inversion procedure was used. This is a pioneering approach in which we applied pre-stack inversion methods to shallow carbonate sediments.

The acquisition parameters and methodology of seismic data processing for high-resolution seismic imaging viewed through relative amplitude preservation are presented. An example of the obtaining of high-quality, shallow seismic data with a variable end-on spread is shown. The source used for the project is an accelerated weight drop. The study area lies within the mine waste disposal area, near Rudna village (Fore-Sudetic Monocline, WS Poland), and results are given for a 2D experimental profile. The aim of the project was to design optimal acquisition and processing parameters for the detailed recognition of Tertiary deposits. The proposed acquisition parameters are a compromise between time, cost and results. High-resolution seismic imaging enables the determining of layers within the range of thicknesses between 5 and 15 m, while the maximal depth of imaging reaches 400 m.

Twin structural traps that lie within the Miocene strata of the Carpathian Foredeep that are localized above Cierpisz and Mrowla-Bratkowice highs exhibit identical bright-spot seismic anomalies, but only those associated with the Cierpisz high are profitable gas reservoirs. Bright spots can be a result of weak gas or water saturation, but also seismic interference known as tuning effect. For these reasons, it is crucial to differentiate between seismic anomalies. In this article, we present the possibilities of verification of seismic anomalies that occur within the siliciclastic Miocene sediments of the Carpathian Foredeep with the application of AVO analysis and spectral decomposition. AVO methodology enabled to limit the number of anomalies that are present in the post-stack seismic data. These anomalies, however, may also be a result of tuning which is common for the heterolithic sequences in the Miocene sediments of the Carpathian Foredeep. For classification of anomalies in the view of the above, spectral decomposition based on the Basis Pursuit algorithm was applied. Spectral decomposition enabled to divide AVO anomalies in those that are the result of gas saturation and the tuning effect. Gas-saturated zones are characterized by higher spectral amplitudes of the lower frequency range, whereas tuning effect yields higher spectral amplitudes for the higher frequency content. This relation is visible for the data set and enables qualitative differentiation for the set of seismic anomalies.

The Upper Cretaceous complex in the central part of the Carpathian Foreland (southern Poland) is relatively poorly recognized and described. Its formations can be classified as unconventional reservoir due to poor reservoir properties as well as a low recovery factor. The main aim of the article is to expand knowledge with conclusions resulting from the analysis of the latest seismic data with the application of seismic sequence stratigraphy. Moreover, the seismic attributes analysis was utilized. The depositional architecture recognition based on both chronostratigraphic horizons and Wheeler diagram interpretations was of paramount importance. A further result was the possibility of using the chronostratigraphic image for tectonostratigraphic interpretation. Two distinguished tectonostratigraphic units corresponding to megasequences were recognized. A tectonic setting of the analyzed interval is associated with global processes noticed by other authors in other parts of the central European Late Cretaceous basin, but also locally accompanied by evidence of small-scale tectonics. This study fills the gap on the issue of paleogeography in the Late Cretaceous sedimentary basin of the Carpathian Foreland. It presents the first results of detailed reconstruction of the basin paleogeography and an attempt to determine the impact of both eustatic and tectonic factors on sedimentation processes.

Open Access Published: 02 December 2016 Spectral Decomposition Using the CEEMD Method: a Case Study from the Carpathian Foredeep Anna Kwietniak¹, Kamil Cichostępski¹ & Monika Kasperska¹ Acta Geophysica volume 64, pages 1525–1541 (2016)Cite this article 486 Accesses 6 Citations Metrics details Abstract The purpose of this work is to select the optimal spectral decomposition (SD) method for channel detection in the Miocene strata of the Carpathian Fordeep, SE Poland. For analysis, two spectral decomposition algorithms were tested on 3D seismic data: the first, based on Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), and second, on Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition (CEEMD). Additionally the results of instantaneous frequency (IF) were compared with the results of peak frequency (PF) computed after the CEEMD. Both algorithms of SD enabled us to interpret channels, but the results are marginally different, i.e. the FFT shows more coarse, linear structures, that are desirable for channel interpretation, whereas the CEEMD does not highlight these structures as clearly and shows more, what the authors believe to be, noise. Download to read the full article text References Castagna, J.P. (2006), Comparison of spectral decomposition methods, First Break 24, 3, 75–79. Google Scholar Chopra, S., and K.J. Marfurt (2007), Seismic attributes for prospect identification and reservoir characterization, SEG Geophysical Developments, Series No. 11, Tulsa, 138–141. Book Google Scholar Damuth, J.E., R.O. Kowsmann, R.D. Flood, R.H. Belderson, and M.A. Gorini (1983), Age relationships of distributary channels on Amazon deep-sea fan: Implications for fan growth pattern, Geology 11, 8, 470–473, DOI: 10.1130/0091-7613(1983)112.0.CO;2. 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Koehler, and R.E. Sheriff (1979), Complex seismic trace analysis, Geophysics 44, 6, 1041–1063, DOI: 10.1190/1.1440994. Article Google Scholar Download references Author information Affiliations Faculty of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection, AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków, Poland Anna Kwietniak, Kamil Cichostępski & Monika Kasperska Authors Anna Kwietniak View author publications You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar Kamil Cichostępski View author publications You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar Monika Kasperska View author publications You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar Corresponding author Correspondence to Anna Kwietniak. Rights and permissions Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. Reprints and Permissions About this article Cite this article Kwietniak, A., Cichostępski, K. & Kasperska, M. Spectral Decomposition Using the CEEMD Method: a Case Study from the Carpathian Foredeep. Acta Geophys. 64, 1525–1541 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1515/acgeo-2016-0065 Download citation Received: 16 June 2015 Revised: 19 November 2015 Accepted: 29 December 2015 Published: 02 December 2016 Issue Date: October 2016 DOI : https://doi.org/10.1515/acgeo-2016-0065 Share this article Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Get shareable link Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. Copy to clipboard Provided by the Springer Nature SharedIt content-sharing initiative Key words spectral decomposition empirical mode decomposition frequency analysis channels

An integrated geological and geophysical approach is presented for the recognition of unconventional targets in the Miocene formations of the Carpathian Foredeep, southern Poland. The subject of the analysis is an unconventional reservoir built of interlayered packets of sandstone, mudstone and claystone, called a “heterogeneous sequence”. This type of sequence acts as both a reservoir and as source rock for hydrocarbons and it consists of layers of insignificant thickness, below the resolution of seismic data. The interpretation of such a sequence has rarely been based on seismic stratigraphy analysis; however, such an approach is proposed here. The subject of interpretation is high-quality seismic data of high resolution that enable detailed depositional analysis. The reconstruction of the depositional history was possible due to the analysis of flattened chronostratigraphic horizons (Wheeler diagram). The identification of depositional positions in a sedimentary basin was the first step for the indication of potential target areas. These areas were also subject to seismic attribute analysis (sweetness) and spectral decomposition. The seismic attribute results positively verified the previously proposed prospects. The results obtained demonstrate that the interpretation of the Miocene sediments in the Carpathian Foredeep should take into account the depositional history reconstruction and paleogeographical analysis.