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Volumetric Delineation of Paleochannel Bodies within an Interval of Interest from Seismic Data Based on Synthetic Training of a Neural Network

https://doi.org/10.18599/grs.2026.3.9

Abstract

Delineation of paleochannel bodies from seismic data remains one of the practical tasks in predicting the lithofacies heterogeneity of terrigenous reservoirs. The paper presents a method for layer-by-layer delineation of paleochannel objects within a study interval bounded by two reflecting horizons using a neural network trained on synthetic examples, followed by construction of a volumetric probability model of paleochannel occurrence. The target interval is divided between the reference horizons into proportional slices; for each level, a composite is generated in which the R, G, and B color channels are filled with amplitudes from adjacent levels. Importantly, this approach better reflects the vertical variability of the seismic wavefield than frequencycolor composites obtained by spectral decomposition. A probability map of channel-type objects is then calculated. The training dataset is created by superimposing templates of modern river morphology prepared from open sources onto real seismic backgrounds, with variations in scale, contrast, brightness, inversion, and noise. At the application stage, global and local predictions are compared; test-time augmentation, several variants of local contrast enhancement, a sliding window with a Hann weighting function, and morphological post-processing are used. The result is a series of probability maps of channel bodies that can be used for preliminary tracking within the reservoir interval. The method is considered a support tool for seismic interpreters and sedimentologists rather than a standalone replacement for geological and geophysical analysis.

About the Authors

A. E Sorokin
NOVATEK NTC LLC
Russian Federation

Andrey E. Sorokin – Specialist (Category I), Department of the Seismic Data Interpretation

Tyumen



R. R. Shakirov
NOVATEK NTC LLC
Russian Federation

Ravil R. Shakirov – Head of the Resource Base Department

Tyumen



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For citations:


Sorokin A.E., Shakirov R.R. Volumetric Delineation of Paleochannel Bodies within an Interval of Interest from Seismic Data Based on Synthetic Training of a Neural Network. Georesursy = Georesources. 2026;28(3):46-53. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.18599/grs.2026.3.9

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ISSN 1608-5043 (Print)
ISSN 1608-5078 (Online)