High-resolution synthetic seismic modelling: elucidating facies heterogeneity in carbonate ramp systems

Carbonate ramp systems present significant seismic interpretation challenges due to their pronounced facies heterogeneity, which frequently results in chaotic seismic outputs that obscure the underlying geological structures. The Porto Badisco Calcarenite in Salento, southern Italy, an Oligocene carbonate ramp, serves as the case study for this research, offering an analogue for understanding similar geological systems. By integrating fieldwork, laboratory analysis and MATLAB modelling, this study pioneers the use of detailed petrophysical data to construct innovative velocity models based on the velocity ranges of the different lithofacies analysed. These models distinctly illustrate the impact of facies heterogeneity on seismic velocities, providing fresh insights into acoustic impedance and variable propagation velocities across different facies constituting the carbonate ramp. Through advanced high-resolution synthetic seismic modelling conducted on carefully fine-tuned unmigrated stack sections, the research demonstrates how variations in petrophysical characteristics within measured ranges reflecting carbonate textures can dramatically alter seismic imaging. The innovative models, based on propagation velocity ranges, not only deepen the understanding of the seismic representation of lithofacies but also act as a potent tool for probing the subsurface architecture of complex carbonate systems, providing an interpretative key for the analysis of seismic images. This approach signifies a substantial advancement in seismic modelling that is aimed at refining interpretations and enhancing exploration strategies in carbonate ramp environments globally.