Acoustic Wave Propagator for P-Wave Simulation in Anisotropic Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic exploration methods face challenges in accurately imaging subsurface structures due to the complexity of anisotropic media, particularly in transversely isotropic media, where existing algorithms struggle with computational efficiency and noise issues when simulating P-waves, leading to incomplete or distorted images.
Innovation Solution
A new acoustic wave propagator is introduced that simulates the propagation of pure P-waves in transversely isotropic media using a single equation, eliminating the need for coupled equations and reducing computational costs, thereby avoiding shear wave noise and instability issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coupled equations are used to simulate P-wave propagation in transversely isotropic media, then the simulation can capture wave behavior, but computational cost increases and noise issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates only the P-wave propagation behavior from the full elastic wave equations by using acoustic assumptions. This eliminates the need to solve coupled equations for both P-waves and S-waves, reducing computational complexity while maintaining accuracy for P-wave imaging applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the mathematical formulation from solving coupled second-order time derivative equations to solving a single fourth-order time derivative equation. This parameter change in the differential equation order and structure reduces the number of equations needed while capturing the essential P-wave propagation physics in anisotropic media.
2Reliability
If coupled equations are used to simulate P-wave propagation, then wave behavior can be captured, but shear wave noise and instability issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the P-wave component from the full elastic wave system by applying acoustic assumptions. This separation removes the S-wave component that causes shear wave noise and instability, allowing clean P-wave simulation without the harmful effects of coupled equation solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the limitation of acoustic assumptions (which normally oversimplify wave behavior) into a benefit by showing that for P-wave propagation in anisotropic media, these assumptions actually eliminate the harmful S-wave noise while retaining sufficient accuracy for seismic imaging applications.
3Measurement precision
If pre-stack depth migration is performed to image complicated structures with high fidelity, then imaging accuracy improves, but computational cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wave equation formulation to a single fourth-order time derivative equation that directly models P-wave propagation in anisotropic media. This parameter change enables accurate pre-stack depth migration of complicated structures while reducing computational cost compared to traditional coupled elastic wave equation approaches.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented method including a numerical model of a region of the earth modeling the acoustic behavior of that region. The method implements an acoustic wave propagator allowing the simulation of the propagation of pure P-waves in transversal isotropic media. The propagator can be applied to applications such as seismic forward modeling, reverse time migration and other two-way wave-equation based applications.