CFP Operators for Acquisition-Imprint-Free ADCIGs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current seismic data processing methods for reservoir characterization are inadequate as they rely on detailed velocity models and are sensitive to acquisition geometry, making them inefficient and inaccurate for generating prestack angle domain common image gathers (ADCIGs) without correct amplitude versus offset (AVO) information.

Innovation Solution

The method generates target-oriented acquisition-imprint-free prestack angle gathers using common focus point (CFP) operators, which derive CFP operators through a simple and iterative procedure, and applies amplitude balancing to ensure the generated ADCIGs are independent of acquisition geometry and contain correct AVO information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If detailed velocity models are used for seismic data processing, then imaging precision is improved, but device complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimaging precisionVSAvoidvelocity model complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the requirement for detailed velocity models from the seismic imaging process. By using common focus point operators that work directly with raw seismic traces, the method eliminates the complex velocity modeling step while maintaining imaging capability through operator-based focusing at target points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates synthetic seismic traces that replicate the acquisition geometry and wave propagation characteristics without requiring detailed velocity models. These synthetic traces serve as references for generating ADCIGs, effectively copying the essential seismic response patterns needed for accurate imaging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If conventional seismic processing methods are used, then processing completeness is improved, but acquisition geometry sensitivity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing completenessVSAvoidacquisition geometry sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the imaging approach by working in the angle domain rather than the offset domain, and by using focus point operators that are inherently robust to acquisition geometry variations. This parameter transformation eliminates sensitivity to irregular survey geometries while maintaining processing completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of projecting seismic data from surface receivers to subsurface images using conventional migration, the patent inverts the approach by using common focus point operators that directly image at target points by back-propagating energy from multiple angles, thereby eliminating geometry-dependent artifacts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of manufacture

If amplitude balancing is not applied, then processing simplicity is improved, but AVO information accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidAVO information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements amplitude balancing as a feedback mechanism where the amplitudes of synthetic ADCIGs are used to correct the amplitudes of real ADCIGs. This feedback loop ensures that the final ADCIGs have correct AVO information by comparing and adjusting amplitudes based on the known synthetic reference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3743745B1Generating target-oriented acquisition-imprint-free prestack angle gathers using common focus point operators
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO
  • EP3743745B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3743745B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3743745B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A method of generating target-oriented acquisition-imprint-free prestack angle gathers using common focus point (CFP) operators includes receiving a plurality of seismic traces associated with a target point in a reservoir. A first angle domain common image gather (ADCIG) is generated based on the received plurality of seismic traces. A plurality of synthetic traces associated with the target point is generated. A second ADCIG is generated based on the synthetic traces. An enhanced ADCIG is generated using the first ADCIG and the second ADCIG.