Rock Properties and Seismic Attenuation: Neural Network Analysis

Using laboratory data, the influence of rock parameters on seismic attenuation has been analyzed using artificial neural networks and regression models. The predictive capabilities of the neural networks and multiple linear regresssion were compared. The neural network outperforms the multiple linear regression in predicting attenuation values, given a set of input of rock parameters. The neural network can make complex decision mappings and this capability is exploited to examine the influence of various rock parameters on the overall seismic attenuation. The results indicate that the most influential rock parameter on the overall attenuation is the clay content, closely followed by porosity. Though grain size contribution is of lower importance than clay content and porosity, its value of 16 percent is sufficiently significant to be considered in the modeling and interpretation of attenuation data.