Adaptive Structure-Oriented Operator for Seismic Data Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seismic data analysis methods fail to fully account for lateral variations in dip and strike directions, leading to incomplete or inaccurate selection of data points, which affects the quality and accuracy of hydrocarbon detection and imaging.

Innovation Solution

An adaptive structure-oriented operator (ASO) is developed, which changes direction based on varying dip and strike vectors, allowing for a locally adaptive analysis of seismic data that adapts its geometry and shape, enabling more precise selection of seismic data points and improved hydrocarbon detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a constant operator direction is used based on a single dip and azimuth from the computation location, then the operator is simple to implement, but the lateral variation of dip and strike directions is not fully taken into account, reducing accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator implementation simplicityVSAvoiddip and strike direction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the operator direction adaptive to local geological conditions. Instead of using a constant direction based on a single dip and azimuth value, the operator calculates dip and azimuth values at multiple locations within its footprint and adjusts its direction accordingly. This allows the operator to account for lateral variations in dip and strike directions, improving measurement precision while maintaining reasonable computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If a cascaded approach with multiple iterations is used to fully utilize lateral variation of dip and strike, then the data point selection accuracy is improved, but the processing time and computational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata point selection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating dip and azimuth values at multiple locations within the operator footprint before performing the main filtering operation. This preliminary calculation of structural parameters allows the operator to be properly oriented in a single pass, eliminating the need for multiple cascaded iterations while still achieving accurate data point selection that fully utilizes lateral variations in dip and strike directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the operator size is increased to capture more lateral variation, then the coverage of dip and strike variations is improved, but the operator becomes more complex and computationally intensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage of dip and strike variationsVSAvoidoperator complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the operator direction based on calculated dip and azimuth values at multiple locations. Instead of increasing operator size to capture more variation, the invention changes the directional parameters of the operator to adapt to local structural variations. This allows accurate capture of dip and strike variations while maintaining a compact operator footprint and reasonable computational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3248030B1Adaptive structure-oriented operator
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 EXXONMOBIL TECHNOLOGY & ENGINEERING CO
  • EP3248030B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3248030B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3248030B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method, including: growing, with a computer, an adaptive structure-oriented operator from a central computation location within seismic data using at least one of dip lateral variations, strike lateral variations, dip vertical variations, or strike vertical variations.