Seismic waveform shape and character can define facies and reservoir parameters with far greater detail than traditional time and amplitude mapping. Modern techniques using waveform classification make it possible to define and map subtle changes in seismic response and to match them to subsurface information. Waveform classification can also be combined with multi-attribute analysis by concurrently evaluating trends in numerous seismic measurements such as instantaneous attributes, semblance, acoustic impedance and AVO. This article focuses on some of the various techniques of performing seismic waveform classification including constrained/unconstrained classification and Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The Slave Point carbonate play in Western Canada is used for illustration.

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