<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><!DOCTYPE article  PUBLIC "-//NLM//DTD Journal Publishing DTD v3.0 20080202//EN" "http://dtd.nlm.nih.gov/publishing/3.0/journalpublishing3.dtd"><article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" dtd-version="3.0" xml:lang="en" article-type="research article"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">IJG</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title>International Journal of Geosciences</journal-title></journal-title-group><issn pub-type="epub">2156-8359</issn><publisher><publisher-name>Scientific Research Publishing</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.4236/ijg.2023.147035</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">IJG-126719</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="heading"><subject>Articles</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="Discipline-v2"><subject>Earth&amp;Environmental Sciences</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title>
 
 
  Assessment of the Spectral Decomposition Techniques in the Evaluation of Hydrocarbon Potential of “BOMS” Field, Coastal Swamp Niger Delta, Nigeria
 
</article-title></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Charles</surname><given-names>Chibueze Ugbor</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author" xlink:type="simple"><name name-style="western"><surname>Onyebuchi</surname><given-names>Samuel Onyeabor</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"><sup>1</sup></xref></contrib></contrib-group><aff id="aff1"><addr-line>Department of Geology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria</addr-line></aff><pub-date pub-type="epub"><day>24</day><month>07</month><year>2023</year></pub-date><volume>14</volume><issue>07</issue><fpage>655</fpage><lpage>676</lpage><history><date date-type="received"><day>4,</day>	<month>May</month>	<year>2023</year></date><date date-type="rev-recd"><day>28,</day>	<month>July</month>	<year>2023</year>	</date><date date-type="accepted"><day>31,</day>	<month>July</month>	<year>2023</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement>&#169; Copyright  2014 by authors and Scientific Research Publishing Inc. </copyright-statement><copyright-year>2014</copyright-year><license><license-p>This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY). http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</license-p></license></permissions><abstract><p>
 
 
  This study employs the different approaches of the spectral decomposition techniques to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of the reservoir and analyse to determine the most efficient spectral decomposition technique with better resolution using the 
  “
  BOMS
  ”
   Field, coastal swamp depobelt Niger Delta, Nigeria. A good number of drilled wells have failed both in the Niger Delta Basin and other basins due to a poor understanding of the reservoir properties in advance of drilling and identifying the best approach will help to minimize this risk. Seismic and well logs data together with the Hampson Russel 10.3 software were used for the study. The target reservoirs were identified from the suite of well logs at the horizons with low gamma ray, high resistivity, and low acoustic impedance between TVD (ft) of 10,350 - 10,450 ft. The analysis of the amplitude spectrum of the seismic data revealed that the distortion of interest lies between 5 - 60 Hz. Seismic data were then spectrally decomposed into several frequencies such as low frequency (15 Hz), mid-frequency (31 Hz), and high frequency (46 Hz) where distortions were observed. Time-
   
  frequency slices of 15 Hz and 23 Hz provided clearer events (potential hydrocarbon sand) indicated by high amplitude envelope (2200 - 2400) and amplitude anomalies. While the amplitude dropped in the mid-frequency (31 Hz), the high amplitude envelope and the high energy completely disappeared in the high (46 Hz) time-frequency slice. A comparison of the Short-
   
  time Fourier transform and the Basic Pursuit algorithm revealed that the Basic Pursuit provided a better resolution of the reservoir characteristics than the former. The Red, Green and Blue (RGB) colour blending model indicated that the channel was consistent with the low-frequency section and amplitude anomaly.
 
</p></abstract><kwd-group><kwd>Amplitude</kwd><kwd> Hydrocarbon Evaluation</kwd><kwd> Spectral Analysis</kwd><kwd> Reservoir Sand</kwd><kwd> Basic Pursuit</kwd><kwd> Convolution</kwd></kwd-group></article-meta></front><body><sec id="s1"><title>1. Introduction</title><p>The superposition of several frequencies makes up the frequency of seismic traces (S. Sun, 2006; Castagna et al., 2006). To further analyze the seismic data to obtain minute details, there is a need to extract these several frequencies. There are several proposed and published methods for this in literature; These include Short Time window Fourier Transform (STFT), Wavelet Transform [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref1">1</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref2">2</xref>] S-Transform (ST) ( [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref3">3</xref>] , and Matching Pursuit Decomposition (MPD) [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref4">4</xref>] ). Seismic amplitudes of traces in the stack section are a total of individual amplitudes which are recorded at different angles of incidence [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref5">5</xref>] . Changes in these constituent amplitudes have been utilized in the industry as good indicators of fluid types and lithology [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref6">6</xref>] . As a result of this, many equations and approximations have been proposed and utilized to monitor the amplitude changes and also used as a tool for both lithological discrimination and the detection of hydrocarbons.</p><p>Seismic attributes are made up of some basic information derived from the seismic data: frequency, time, amplitude, and attenuation. Usually, many seismic attributes being used are derived from post-stack seismic data which is obtained from the stacked and migrated seismic data volume. Horizon attributes are picked along the tracked horizon or time-slice. Time-derived attributes are used to acquire structural details. Frequency-derived and amplitude-derived attributes are used to study the reservoir and stratigraphic properties of the reservoir. Amplitude attributes are known to be very robust and useful, but integrating frequency attributes has helped in discovering additional geologic layering [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref7">7</xref>] . With this adopted use of seismic attribute technology, much attention has been brought to the use of both frequency attributes with amplitude attributes. One of the most used frequency attributes with huge popularity in the industry is spectral decomposition.</p><p>Spectral decomposition is known to be a distinctive innovative seismic attribute mainly used for reservoir imaging and as a hydrocarbon indicator developed and commercialized originally by BP, Apache Corp. and Landmark [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref8">8</xref>] . This method requires creating a suite of amplitude maps using a sequence of seismic frequency slices across the area of interest, these maps are then integrated to obtain a better image resolution of the target, interval thickness and lithologic heterogeneities instead of traditional broad-band seismic displays. We can observe that in the last decade, many published works explained the possible implementation of this new approach to separate both vertical and lateral lithologies and pore-fluid changes. It also explained how it could be used to identify minute frequency changes and delineate the stratigraphic traps associated with hydrocarbons [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref9">9</xref>] . Further research has been done on the tuning effect on spectral characteristics. Some of these studies have been published in a series of companion papers by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref10">10</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref11">11</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref12">12</xref>] and [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref13">13</xref>] ; the studies stated that the tuning effect in thin-layer is significant and depends on both the ratio of the layer thickness over wavelength as well as offset. However, dispersion/attenuation will further alter the spectral characteristics that are obtained from tuning and this tuning effect alone cannot cause the brightening of the AVO anomalies. Therefore, the spectral variations observed are a resultant effect of both the tuning of the seismic waves in porous sands and attenuation/dispersion.</p><p>Spectral decomposition analysis also functions as a direct hydrocarbon Indicator. Direct hydrocarbon indicator technique using bright spot analysis entails identifying high amplitude anomalous areas in the seismic section in comparison with others [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref14">14</xref>] . This is the first practical evidence which helped to identify the existence of fluid in the “Bright spots” which was noted especially for gas identification in early 1970. But with future drilling activities showed that other geologic cases exhibit this same amplitude response type according to Reference [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref15">15</xref>] , other than hydrocarbons which will most likely result in a wrong bright spot and lead to a dry hole if drilled.</p><p>Reference [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref16">16</xref>] used well logs and 3D seismic to evaluate the hydrocarbon trapping potential and 3D structural analysis of subsurface structures of Otu Field, Niger Delta with the aid of the log data, a network of faults, horizon delineation, and extraction of the RMS amplitude which shows that field contains hydrocarbon economically.</p><p>Reference [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref17">17</xref>] , predicted the reservoir system quality at Kwe Field Niger Delta and identified its depositional environment using the petrophysical properties of the reservoir and well-log data. He identified 7 reservoirs in the Kwe field.</p><p>Reference [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref18">18</xref>] in order to identify new prospects evaluated the Olive field in Niger Delta using well logs, check shots and 3D seismic data. He established the time and depth structural maps, porosity ranging from 24.63% - 34.01%, hydrocarbon saturation ranging from 70.93% - 78.86% with seismic interpretation showing the field to be well faulted and seismic amplitude attribute maps characterized by high amplitude range (bright spot) in the zone surrounded by the structural traps and hence the identification of Four hydrocarbon prospects in the field.</p><p>Reference [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref19">19</xref>] used well-log analysis and some petrophysical properties like water saturation, porosity, permeability, bulk water, Net to gross, and hydrocarbon saturation to estimate the hydrocarbon prospect of the site and identified 4 sand reservoirs.</p><p>Although they are different ways to perform the decomposition of the spectra, all the decomposition methods aim to extract the constant frequency sections or cubes. Once these constant frequency sections are computed, the user can investigate and analyze the frequency expressions of the targeted zone or formation. The latter expressions might be used to infer the fluid presence, lithology changes, or thickness estimations [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref20">20</xref>] .</p><p>Reference [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref21">21</xref>] made use of matching-pursuit decomposition for instantaneous spectral analysis in detecting low-frequency shadows beneath hydrocarbon reservoirs. A case history of using spectral decomposition and coherency to interpret incised valleys is shown by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref22">22</xref>] . Reference [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref8">8</xref>] made use of windowed spectral analysis to derive discrete-frequency energy cubes for applications in reservoir characterization. Reference [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref23">23</xref>] proved that an average frequency attribute derived from sine curve-fitting in a particular area correlates with shale volume.</p><p>In this study, Spectral decomposition was carried out using 3D Prestack seismic data from the BOMS oilfield in the southeastern Niger Delta to analyze the reflector surface and to investigate the seismic amplitude anomalies if it is associated with hydrocarbon or not. Furthermore, the appraisal of the Fourier and Basic Pursuit transforms as a spectral decomposition technique in the evaluation of hydrocarbon potential using BOMS Field, coastal swamp depobelt Niger Delta, Nigeria to evaluate the hydrocarbon potential of the reservoir and analyse to determine the most efficient spectral decomposition technique.</p></sec><sec id="s2"><title>2. Geology of the Study Area</title><p>The Niger Delta Basin is known as an extensional rift basin which is found in the Gulf of Guinea and projects throughout Niger Delta Province (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>). It lies on the passive continental margin which is near the western coast of Nigeria. The delta has southwestward progradation from the Eocene to the Present, which formed many of the depo-belts representing the main active part of the delta at every development stage [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref24">24</xref>] . The sediment’s mean thickness is approximately 10 km at the centre of the depo-belts and the volume of the sediment is estimated as 500,000 km<sup>3</sup> [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref25">25</xref>] . The Province of Niger Delta has one identified petroleum system. [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref26">26</xref>] [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref27">27</xref>] noted this as the Akata-Agbada Petroleum System (Tertiary Niger Delta). Reference [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref28">28</xref>] further researched and also concurred with one petroleum system within the Niger Delta, formed during the southern Atlantic opening at the triple junction which started during the Late Jurassic and continued to the Cretaceous. Based on Reference [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref26">26</xref>] , the delta began to develop in the Eocene with sediment accumulation which now has a thickness of about 10 km. The area is made up of a sedimentary basin geologically which has three Formations: Benin Formations, Agbada, and Akata. The Akata Formation comprises shale which is formed during the marine transgressive cycle and is the major source rock in this basin [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref28">28</xref>] . Agbada Formation is predominantly made of sand deposited in a paralic environment [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref29">29</xref>] .</p><p>This makes up the oil and gas reservoir that is within the basin [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref30">30</xref>] . Agbada Formation is referred to by [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref31">31</xref>] as a zone of transition with intercalation of shale and sand. The Agbada Formation has hydrocarbon traps which mostly occur as rollover anticlines in growth faults (dip closures) and some stratigraphic traps.</p><p>The faults are mostly listric and also form major barriers leading to accumulated hydrocarbon compartmentalization. Benin Formation stratigraphically covers the upper part of the Delta and lies above Agbada Formation. It consists of unconsolidated sands approximately 2000 m thick [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref32">32</xref>] . It is made up of coastal plain sands as it is deposited in a fluvial environment [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref33">33</xref>] (See <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig2">Figure 2</xref>).</p></sec><sec id="s3"><title>3. Materials and Method of Study</title><sec id="s3_1"><title>3.1. Materials</title><p>The data used in this work are well logs data from BOMS field in the coastal swamp depobelt within the Niger Delta basin obtained from SPDC Port Harcourt. These data were analyzed using Hampson Russell Software (HRS). This includes the 3D pre stack time migrated seismic volumes and suite of well log profiles (gamma ray, caliper, Resistivity, density, and P-wave).</p><p>Two wells (Well 26 and 30) have a full suite of wireline logs over the reservoir interval. Well 26 is shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig3">Figure 3</xref>. It, is located in the Southwest of the field has a total depth of 11,661 ft and Well 30 is shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig4">Figure 4</xref>. It is situated at South east of the field totals 12,000 ft with full suite of wireline logs. The well information is summarized in <xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref>. Of these two wells, gamma ray log is consistent with the sand shale sequence of the Niger Delta as the resistivity log reflects its characteristics at the regions of sand and shale sequences. Other wells some were with no compressional waves were excluded from the analysis.</p><p>Suite of well logs is principally analyzed when describing zones of interest depending on the character of gamma ray and Resistivity logs. In this, delineation of target zones becomes paramount to estimate the thickness or potentiality of a Formation. To achieve this, we have color coded gamma ray log with two colors: yellow reflects decrease in gamma ray equivalent to sand cutoff less than 75 API and brown color reflects increase in gamma ray that reflects shale zone cutoff less than 75 API. However, within the reservoir sand (65 ft and 83 ft in both wells), we notice intercalations of sand and little shale but above the reservoir, shale thickness is seen greater across both wells which probably act as cap rocks as shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig5">Figure 5</xref> and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig6">Figure 6</xref>.</p><table-wrap id="table1" ><label><xref ref-type="table" rid="table1">Table 1</xref></label><caption><title> Seven wells employed for the study with their respective suite of wireline logs available and total depth penetrated for each well</title></caption><table><tbody><thead><tr><th align="center" valign="middle" >WELL</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Gamma Ray (API)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Caliper (in)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Resistivity (ohm)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Density (g/cc)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >P-wave (ft/s)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >S-wave (ft/s)</th><th align="center" valign="middle" >Total Depth (ft)</th></tr></thead><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >WELL 24</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >9500</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >WELL 25</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >*11,000</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >WELL 26</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >11,661</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >WELL 27</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12,406</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >WELL 30</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12,197</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >WELL 32</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >12,200</td></tr><tr><td align="center" valign="middle" >WELL 48</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >Yes</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >No</td><td align="center" valign="middle" >10,459</td></tr></tbody></table></table-wrap><p>The seismic data was also quality-checked for consistency and high integrity. A high resolution amplitude anomaly is shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig7">Figure 7</xref> and the range of frequency covered is shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig8">Figure 8</xref>.</p></sec><sec id="s3_2"><title>3.2. Method of Study</title><p>The study was carried out by running a set of analyses using the well and seismic data. These included,</p><p>1) Create time slices of the input seismic data to observe any subtle anomalies in amplitude around the zone of interest.</p><p>2) Create the AMPLITUDE SPECTRUM of the seismic data to know the frequency ranges of the data.</p><p>3) Create the amplitude slices of the STFT outputs using raw amplitude and RMS options for interpretation.</p><p>4) Comparison between Short Time Fourier Transform and Basic Pursuit algorithm.</p><p>5) Sorting of the frequencies for RGB blending.</p></sec><sec id="s3_3"><title>3.3. Selection of Reservoir Interval and Wells</title><p>Well-log suites are basically analyzed to describe zones of interest depending on the behavior of Resistivity logs and gamma rays. In this, the delineation of target zones becomes paramount to estimating the thickness or potentiality of a Formation. To get this, a gamma-ray log was colour-coded with two colours: yellow reflecting a decline in gamma-ray equivalent to sand (cutoff &lt;65 API) and a brown colour reflecting an increase in gamma-ray which indicates shale zone (cutoff &gt;65). In addition, within the sand reservoir (95 ft and 126 ft in both wells), sand intercalations and a small amount of shale but on top of the reservoir were very evident, shale thickness is larger across the wells which possibly functions as cap rocks.</p><p>AMPLITUDE SPECTRUM</p><p>Spectrum analysis was done using Hampson Russell. From the frequency spectrum of the seismic data, three main peaks were identified within the frequency range of 5 Hz and 60 Hz. Therefore in this analysis, seismic data was decomposed using three main frequencies, that is, 15 Hz (low frequency), 23 Hz, (mid frequency), and 46 Hz (High frequency) to assess the response of the potential reservoir or target zone. It is readily seen that frequency responses are changing from one frequency component to another. “This can be related to the characteristic frequencies of the Formations which are controlled by their physical properties (lithology and thickness) and fluid content” and a hydrocarbon indicator [<xref ref-type="bibr" rid="scirp.126719-ref35">35</xref>] (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig9">Figure 9</xref>).</p><p>The short time Fourier transform algorithm was carried out on the seismic data of the inline range (1489 - 1819) and x-line range (4992 - 5425) within 2000 - 2400 ms. However, the seismic data has a large amplitude anomaly around the time 2200 ms suspected to be a gas sand-related anomaly. In this seismic section, we see a very strong amplitude anomaly in the southeastern part, which could indicate shallow gas sand with a high amplitude anomaly on the amplitude map. The channel feature is clearly shown in the red color key (3800 - 4698) around the wells.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s4"><title>4. Result and Discussion</title><sec id="s4_1"><title>4.1. Short Fourier Transform</title><p>Prior to applying the spectral decomposition, we need to identify the frequency spectrum of the seismic data. <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig8">Figure 8</xref> shows the frequency spectrum of the seismic data, where we found the peaks indicated in the frequency of 5 Hz and 60 Hz respectively. Therefore in this analysis, the seismic data was decomposed using five frequencies, that is, 15 Hz (low frequency), 23 Hz, 31 Hz (mid frequency), 39 Hz and 46 Hz (High frequency) to assess the response of the potential reservoir or target zone. The short time Fourier transform algorithm has</p><p>been carried out on the seismic data of inline range (1489 - 1819) and x-line range (4992 - 5425) within 2000 - 2400 ms. The seismic data spectrally decomposed as 15 Hz (low frequency), 23 Hz, 31 Hz (mid frequency), 39 Hz and 46 Hz (high frequency).</p><p>Amplitude variations were found to be around the potential gas reservoir. It can be investigated that the time frequency slice of 15 Hz, 23 Hz provide clearer event (potential hydrocarbon sand) indicated by high amplitude envelope (1172 - 1550) and amplitude anomalies around the potential gas reservoir. However, the high amplitude remains relative constant at (15 Hz) and (23 Hz) but the amplitude drops dramatically in the mid frequency (31 Hz), with some spots of high amplitude envelope but the high energy completely disappeared in 39 Hz time frequency slice. This can be interpreted as an attenuation artefact useful for hydrocarbon detection (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>0).</p></sec><sec id="s4_2"><title>4.2. Basic Pursuit</title><p>Also in this analysis, the seismic data was decompose using five frequencies, that is, 15 Hz (low frequency), 23 Hz, 31 Hz (mid frequency), 39 Hz and 46 Hz (High frequency) to assess the response of the potential reservoir or target zone. The Basic Pursuit algorithm has been applied on the seismic data of inline range (1489 - 1819) and x-line range (4992 - 5425) within 2000 - 2400 ms.</p><p>Amplitude variations were found around the potential gas reservoir place. Figures 11(a)-(d) show the time frequency section for the frequencies of 15 Hz (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>1(a)), 23 Hz (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>1(b)), 31 Hz (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>1(c)), 39 Hz (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>1(d)) and 46 Hz (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>1(e)). it can be investigated that the time frequency slice of 15 Hz, 23 Hz and 31 Hz provide clearer event (potential hydrocarbon sand) indicated by high amplitude envelope (1172 - 1550) and amplitude anomalies around the potential gas reservoir as indicated by black arrows. The high amplitude remains relative constant at (15 Hz), (23 Hz) and (31 Hz) but drops dramatically in the high frequency (39 Hz and 46 Hz), <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>1(d) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>1(e) with some spots of high amplitude envelope. This can be interpreted as an attenuation artefact useful for hydrocarbon detection.</p></sec><sec id="s4_3"><title>4.3. Comparison between Short-Time Fourier Transform and Basic Pursuit Algorithm</title><p>The comparison of the two Algorithms of the produced sections of the time frequencies is shown in <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>2(a) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>3(a) (short-time Fourier transform) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>2(b) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>3(b) (Basic Pursuit technique). It was observed that the Basic Pursuit algorithm produced better frequency resolution compared to the Short-time Fourier transforms, particularly in the target zone between the two horizons. The potential gas sand event is indicated in the Basic Pursuit Algorithm at 31 Hz time frequency slice whereas in the short time, Fourier transform, the potential gas sand anomaly drops dramatically only showing some pockets of high energy in the 31 Hz time frequency slice respectively (<xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>3(a) and <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>3(b)). This indicates the shortcoming of the Short-Time Fourier Transform. Even though, these two methods indicate the same anomaly in the target zone especially in the 15 Hz (low frequency) and 23 Hz, however, the Basic Pursuit Algorithm shows a clear continuity and detailed event around the wells.</p><p>RGB COLOUR BLENDING OF THE FREQUENCY SLICES</p><p>In this section, the advanced 3D Visualization option was used to perform colour blending on these three volumes. Note that each of the frequency volumes defines the channel differently. A display of all three slices simultaneously will emphasize all of the subtle channel features. This involves inputting each of the frequency slices as a red, green or blue channel and mixing the colours. The black arrow indicates a pay reservoir. The three single-frequency sections shown in Figures 14(a)-(c) represent the 55 different frequencies computed between 5 to 60 Hz. It is clear to see that the channel responds to low frequency response when mixed. A set of models using the colour blending involving the Basic Pursuit algorithm was performed to validate the efficiency and consistency of the method in greater hydrocarbon identification in a reservoir. Of the frequency spectrum, the 15 hz was unique in better hydrocarbon identification. Three different colours RED, BLUE and GREEN were assigned to the 15 Hz interchangeably to generate models at different runs to evaluate its effectiveness in identifying the hydrocarbon saturated reservoir. The 3 runs were shown in Figures 14(a)-(c) where the 15 Hz was in turn assigned colours of RED, GREEN and BLUE respectively. For each run, a set of 3 frequencies 15 Hz, 23 Hz and 31 Hz were chosen and assigned these 3 colours. <xref ref-type="fig" rid="fig1">Figure 1</xref>4(a) shows the colour blending with the following frequency/colour combination: 15 Hz/RED, 23 Hz/GREEN and 31 Hz/BLUE. The result show that for each run of the colour blending, the colour assigned to 15 Hz covered the part of the composite volume of the reservoir that was saturated by hydrocarbon. Hence, Figures 14(a)-(c) showed hydrocarbon saturation at 15 Hz/RED, 15 Hz/BLUE and 15 Hz/GREEN respectively. Note that for each clour blemding model, the rest of the other composite colour were assigned the other 2 sets of frequencies, 23 Hz and 51 Hz. The distribution of the colour blemds for each model is as shown in each Figures 14(a)-(c).</p><p>The short-time Fourier transform and wavelet transform are well-known and well-proven time-frequency analysis tools. They both decompose the seismic signal with their pre-defined basis. Their main shortcomings are spectral smearing and the trade-off between time and frequency localization. Despite this, they remain popular because they produce smooth and robust features as shown in the above examples.</p><p>Our recommendation is to analyze the principal frequency variations by short-time Fourier transform or wavelet transform first, followed by identification of the subtle changes in geology using any advanced method like Basic Pursuit or CEEMD in a smaller time window.</p><p>There is no one “best” way to combine the volumes since each combination highlights different features.</p></sec></sec><sec id="s5"><title>5. Conclusion</title><p>Both the Fourier and Basic Pursuit Transform algorithms were employed in a Spectral decomposition method to successfully appraise their potential and efficiency in evaluating the hydrocarbon potential of the reservoir. The reservoir sand delineation revealed that the reservoir lies between TVD (ft) of 10,350 - 10,450 ft. The amplitude spectrum of the seismic data revealed that the frequency spectrum peaked between 5 Hz and 60 Hz. The high amplitude obtained in the low frequency (15 Hz - 25 Hz) band in the gas reservoir is a consistent character of the over-pressured gas reservoirs in the Niger Delta basin. The time-frequency slices of 15 Hz and 23 Hz provided clearer events representing potential hydrocarbon-saturated sand. This is indicated by the high amplitude envelope of 1172 - 1550 and the amplitude anomalies around the potential gas reservoir. However, the amplitude drops dramatically in the mid-frequency (31 Hz), high amplitude envelope and the high energy completely disappeared in the high frequency (46 Hz) time-frequency slice. This can be interpreted as an attenuation signature useful for hydrocarbon detection. A comparison of the Short-time Fourier transform and Basic Pursuit model revealed that Basic Pursuit gave a better resolution for this analysis than the former and thus is a recommended technique for spectral analysis application in hydrocarbon reservoir evaluation. The Red, Green and Blue colour blending model showed that the channel was consistent with the low-frequency section and the amplitude anomaly indicating potential hydrocarbon sand in that portion of the reservoir. Using AVO as a complementary technique to this analysis is recommended.</p></sec><sec id="s6"><title>Acknowledgements</title><p>The authors wish to thank the Department of Petroleum Resources and SPDC Port Harcourt for the release of the data for this study.</p></sec><sec id="s7"><title>Author Contribution</title><p>OSO conceptualized the study and collected the data. Both OSO and UCC undertook the project design, material preparation, analysis and interpretations. UCC supervised and edited the final version of this work and prepared it for submission.</p></sec><sec id="s8"><title>Conflicts of Interest</title><p>The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding the publication of this paper.</p></sec><sec id="s9"><title>Cite this paper</title><p>Ugbor, C.C. and Onyeabor, O.S. (2023) Assessment of the Spectral Decomposition Techniques in the Evaluation of Hydrocarbon Potential of “BOMS” Field, Coastal Swamp Niger Delta, Nigeria. 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