Direct Migration of Simultaneous-Source Seismic Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seismic data processing algorithms face challenges in accurately imaging subsurface structures using simultaneous-source survey data due to crosstalk and offset mixing, which are not effectively addressed by existing deblending techniques, leading to noise and computational complexity.

Innovation Solution

The direct migration of simultaneous-source survey data without prior deblending, utilizing Full Wavefield Inversion (FWI) to generate an earth model that synthesizes and subtracts unwanted contributions, thereby reducing artifacts and improving signal preservation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If simultaneous-source survey data is processed using conventional migration algorithms, then data acquisition efficiency is improved, but crosstalk artifacts and noise are introduced into the subsurface image

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata acquisition efficiencyVSAvoidsubsurface image accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the simultaneous-source survey data into individual shot records by identifying and separating contributions from different source activations. This is achieved through signal processing techniques that distinguish between overlapping sources based on their unique wavefield characteristics, allowing each source's contribution to be isolated and processed separately to eliminate crosstalk artifacts

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful crosstalk artifacts into useful information by analyzing their characteristics and using them to identify and remove similar artifacts from the final subsurface image. The crosstalk signals, which initially degrade image quality, are processed to create templates that enable selective removal of corresponding artifacts while preserving genuine geological reflections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Measurement precision

If deblending techniques are applied to separate simultaneous-source data, then crosstalk is reduced, but computational complexity and processing time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrosstalk reductionVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary separation of simultaneous-source data into individual shot records before the migration process. By pre-processing the data to isolate each source's contribution ahead of migration, the complex deblending computation is performed once on the raw data, avoiding the need for repeated complex computations during iterative migration processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates simplified copies or models of the crosstalk artifacts through synthetic wavefield generation. These synthetic copies are used to represent and subtract the artifact components from the actual data, replacing complex artifact removal computations with simpler subtraction operations based on pre-computed synthetic models

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Measurement precision

If deblending operations are performed on simultaneous-source data, then shot records are separated, but signal attenuation and loss of geologically-important signals occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshot record separationVSAvoidsignal attenuation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the separation process continuously monitors signal characteristics and adjusts its parameters to preserve geologically-important signals. By comparing the separated shot records against expected geological patterns and signal coherence criteria, the system refines its separation approach to minimize attenuation of valid reflections while maintaining shot record separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes in the signal processing domain, transforming data into different representations (e.g., frequency-wavenumber domain) where separation can be achieved more selectively. By adjusting processing parameters such as frequency bands, time windows, and spatial filters, the system optimizes separation effectiveness while preserving amplitude and phase information of genuine geological signals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11231516B2Direct migration of simultaneous-source survey data

Publication Date: 2022.01.25 EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY(US)

AI summary

A method and apparatus for hydrocarbon management including generating an image of a subsurface formation by: obtaining simultaneous-source survey data, an earth model, and a first and a second velocity model of the subsurface formation; generating synthetic survey data with at least one of the earth model, the first velocity model, and the second velocity model. The method and apparatus may include directly migrating the simultaneous-source survey data; migrating the synthetic survey data; and subtracting the migrated synthetic survey data from the migrated simultaneous-source survey data. The method and apparatus may include subtracting the synthetic survey data from the simultaneous-source survey data; and directly migrating the result of the subtraction. The method and apparatus may include generating an artifact-reduced image.