A long time focus of my research has been seismic sedimentology and its application in seismic stratigraphy, high-frequency sequence stratigraphy, and reservoir prediction. I study seismic chronostratigraphy and seismic frequency controls on interpretation of clastic and carbonate seismic stratigraphy, and the ways a good-quality depositional systems imaging can be made. I invented the stratal slicing technique and am pushing for transfer of this technology to industry.
One recent research topic is to apply seismic lithology (90° phasing, inversion, attributes, AVO and multicomponent data) to broaden seismic geomorphology-based facies analysis on stratal slices, which makes seismic sedimentology a realistic technology for high-resolution reservoir prediction. Another theme involves seismic characterization of thin-bedded reservoirs. I do seismic modeling of outcrop and subsurface data to study optimal forms of seismic data (frequency, wavelet phase, attribute, etc.) for thin-bed interpretation.
Research Interests
Seismic sedimentology and geomorphology
Seismic chronostratigraphy
Seismic and sequence stratigraphy
Interpretation-oriented seismic modeling and processing
Characterization of thin-bed reservoirs
Education
B.A., Geology, Petroleum University, Dongying, China, 1982
M. A., Geology, Petroleum University, Dongying, China, 1985
Ph.D., Geophysics, The University of Texas at Austin, 1994
Professional History
Senior Research Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, 2012-present
Research Scientist, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1997-2012
Advanced Geoscientist, Texaco International Exploration, Houston, Texas, 1996-1997
Geoscientist, Texaco Exploration & Production Inc., New Orleans, Louisiana, 1994-1996
Graduate Research Assistant, Bureau of Economic Geology, The University of Texas at Austin, 1990-1993
Instructor, Petroleum University at Beijing, China, 1985-1989
Selected Publications
Zeng, H., 2013, Frequency-dependent seismic-stratigraphic and facies interpretation: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 97, no. 2, p. 201-221.
Zeng, H., Zhu, X., Zhu, R., and Zhang, Q., 2012, Guidelines for seismic sedimentologic study in non-marine postrift basins: Petroleum Exploration and Development, v. 39, no. 3, p. 275‒284.
Zeng, H., Loucks, R. G., Janson, X., Wang, G., Xia, Y., Yuan, B., and Xu, L., 2011, Three-dimensional seismic geomorphology and analysis of the Ordovician paleokarst drainage system in the central Tabei Uplift, northern Tarim Basin, western China: AAPG Bulletin, v. 95, no. 12, p. 2061‒2083.
Zeng, H., 2010, Geologic significance of anomalous instantaneous frequency: Geophysics, v. 75, no. 3, p. P23–P30.
Zeng, H., Loucks, R. G., and Brown, L. F., Jr., 2007, Mapping sediment-dispersal patterns and associated systems tracts in fourth- and fifth-order sequences using seismic sedimentology: example from Corpus Christi Bay, Texas: AAPG Bulletin, v. 91, no. 7, p. 981–1003.
Zeng, H., 2007, Seismic imaging for seismic geomorphology beyond the seabed: potentials and challenges, in Davies, R. J., Posamentier, H. W., Wood, L. J., and Cartwright, J. A., eds., Seismic geomorphology: applications to hydrocarbon exploration and production: Geolgical Society, London, Special Publications, 277, p. 15–28.
Zeng, H., and Backus, M. M., 2005, Interpretive advantages of 90°-phase wavelets: Part 1―modeling: Geophysics, v. 70, no. 3, p. C7–C15.
Zeng, H., and Backus, M. M., 2005, Interpretive advantages of 90°-phase wavelets: Part 2―seismic applications: Geophysics, v. 70, no. 3, p. C17–C24.
Zeng, H., and Hentz, T. F., 2004, High-frequency sequence stratigraphy from seismic sedimentology: applied to Miocene, Vermilion Block 50, Tiger Shoal area, offshore Louisiana: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 88, no. 2, p. 153-174.
Zeng, H., and Kerans, C., 2003, Seismic frequency control on carbonate seismic stratigraphy: a case study of the Kingdom Abo sequence, West Texas: American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 87, no. 2, p. 273-293.
Zeng H., Backus, M. M., Barrow, K. T., and Tyler, N., 1998, Stratal slicing, part I: realistic 3-D seismic model: Geophysics, v. 63, no. 2, p. 502-513.
Zeng H., Henry, S. C., and Riola, J. P., 1998, Stratal slicing, part II: real seismic data: Geophysics, v. 63, no. 2, p. 514-522.
Selected Committees
Research supervisor, supervisory committee for PhD student in UTDOGS, since 2011
Associate Editor, Editorial Board, INTERPRETATION (a peer-reviewed SEG journal), since 2012
Member, AAPG Geophysical Integration Committee, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, since 2004.
Member, SEG Development and Production Committee, Society of Exploration Geophysicists, since 2001.
Awards
Gordon Atwater Best Poster Award, GCAGS/GCSSEPM, 2007
Wallace E. Pratt Award for Best Original Article published in the AAPG Bulletin in 2003.
Star Quality Ambassador, 1996, Texaco Worldwide.
National Science Award, China, 1988.
