Clustered Vibrator Encoding for Simultaneous Seismic Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic data acquisition methods are inefficient and costly due to the time-consuming process of activating seismic sources one after another, limiting the density of vibration points and productivity in seismic surveys for subterranean hydrocarbon exploration.
Innovation Solution
Grouping vibratory sources into clusters that are actuated simultaneously, with encoded seismic vibrations to enable separation of individual data from each source, allowing for increased productivity and density of surveyed points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If seismic sources are activated one after another at each vibration point, then data quality and separation are maintained, but productivity and survey speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple seismic sources that were traditionally activated sequentially are merged into a single activation event, where clustered vibrators are triggered simultaneously at different vibration points. This combining of previously separate operations into one unified action directly increases productivity while maintaining data quality through encoded separation signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The seismic survey is segmented into multiple clustered groups of vibration points, where each cluster can be activated simultaneously. The segmentation allows the system to process multiple locations in parallel while using encoding schemes to separate and identify data from each cluster, thus improving overall survey speed without sacrificing data quality.
2Productivity
If seismic sources are activated simultaneously at different vibration points, then productivity increases, but data separation and quality control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Each clustered vibrator is assigned a unique encoding parameter (such as a specific frequency modulation pattern or time delay signature) that distinguishes its signal from others. By changing these parameters systematically across different vibrators, the system enables automatic data separation through signal processing, reducing the complexity of managing simultaneous activations.
Solution Approach 2:
An encoding scheme acts as an intermediary mechanism between the simultaneous vibrator activations and the data separation process. This intermediary layer of coded signals allows multiple sources to operate simultaneously while providing a systematic method for the receiving system to distinguish and separate individual contributor data, thus managing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the density of vibration points is increased, then survey coverage and data resolution improve, but acquisition time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system maintains continuous useful action by activating multiple vibrators simultaneously across different locations rather than sequentially. This continuity eliminates the idle time between activations at individual points, allowing the survey to cover more ground in the same time period while maintaining high data resolution through increased vibration point density.
Solution Approach 2:
The survey system dynamically adjusts by activating clusters of vibrators at multiple locations simultaneously, adapting the traditional sequential approach into a parallel dynamic system. This dynamic operation allows the survey to respond more efficiently to coverage requirements, increasing both the density of surveyed points and the overall speed of acquisition.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach doubles the productivity of seismic data acquisition, enabling more vibration points to be surveyed in the same time frame while maintaining effective data separation, as demonstrated by achieving 1,440 surveyed points per hour in theoretical and practical scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
source 110 generates seismic waves that may include a surface waves 140 and body waves 160 that may be partially reflected at an interface 170 between two geological layers inside which the seismic waves propagate with different speeds
Implementation Method 2
Each receiver 120 receives the full wavefield (i.e., both surface and body waves) and converts it into an electrical signal
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods for seismic exploration of a subsurface formation increase productivity by simultaneously actuating closely located vibratory sources. Individual vibrations generated by different sources actuated simultaneously are encoded to enable separation of seismic data corresponding to each of the individual vibrations.