Constrained Simultaneous Source Shooting for Seismic Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seismic data acquisition using simultaneous source shooting techniques faces challenges in separating overlapping noise, leading to unusable data due to interference between source activations, which increases the time and cost of the process.
Innovation Solution
The technique involves adjusting the timing of shot timings by a random amount to prevent interference between sequential shots, ensuring that they meet specific threshold requirements to avoid overlap and enhance data separability through dithering, thereby increasing data density and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple sources are fired close in time to one another, then the time and cost required to acquire seismic data is reduced, but the resultant seismic data includes noise from overlapping signals
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores minimum time interval values between sequential shots for different source positions before actual data acquisition. This preliminary preparation allows operators to quickly determine safe firing intervals during the survey without real-time calculations, enabling faster multi-source shooting while preventing signal overlap and blending noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the time interval parameter between sequential shots based on source position and geological conditions. By changing this temporal parameter adaptively rather than using fixed intervals, the system optimizes the balance between acquisition speed and signal separation, reducing blending noise while maintaining high productivity.
2Productivity
If the number of sources is increased to reduce operation time, then productivity improves, but interference between source activations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the seismic survey into discrete shot groups with defined minimum time intervals. Each source activation is treated as a separate segment with controlled timing, allowing multiple sources to operate simultaneously while maintaining sufficient temporal separation to prevent interference between activations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses pre-calculated minimum time interval data as feedback to control shot timing. This feedback mechanism ensures that each subsequent shot is fired only after the previous signal has sufficiently decayed, preventing interference while maximizing the number of sources that can be activated during the recording period.
3Manufacturing precision
If shot timings are adjusted by random amounts to prevent overlap, then data separability improves, but the complexity of timing coordination increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-generates and stores randomized time offset values for different source positions before the survey. This preliminary randomization eliminates the need for real-time complex calculations during acquisition, simplifying timing coordination while maintaining data separability through the pre-established random time adjustments.
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 allows for increased sampling of source positions, reduces operation time and cost, and improves the quality of seismic data by minimizing noise interference, resulting in more effective hydrocarbon exploration and drilling hazard detection.
Implementation Method 1
Each time the source is activated, the source generates a seismic (e.g., acoustic wave) signal that travels downward through the Earth, is reflected, and, upon its return, is recorded using one or more receivers
Implementation Method 2
the source generates a seismic (e.g., acoustic wave) signal that travels downward through the Earth, is reflected, and, upon its return, is recorded
Implementation Method 3
adjusting the timing of shot timings to include adjusted (e.g., dithered) by, for example, a random amount of time
Data Source
AI summary
System and techniques to fire a first source array at a first time of a first shot timing distribution comprising first time values according to a firing schedule and fire a second source array at a second time of a second shot timing distribution comprising second time values subsequent to firing the first source array and prior to another firing of the first source array according to the firing schedule. Additionally, at least a portion of the second shot timing distribution overlaps with the first shot timing distribution or the at least a portion of the second shot timing distribution is separated from the first shot timing distribution by less than a predetermined period of time and the first time and the second time of the firing schedule are separated by at least the predetermined period of time.