Dr. Hongliu Zeng

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.