Induced Seismic Source Reconstruction for Inaccessible Areas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seismic data acquisition systems face challenges in obtaining accurate subsurface images due to obstacles that prevent dedicated seismic sources from accessing certain locations, resulting in poor recorded data for those areas.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating an induced source shot point gather by receiving seismic data from unintentional seismic sources, calculating reconstructed receiver traces, and processing them to create an induced source shot point gather, which can be used to reconstruct seismic data for inaccessible areas, utilizing both local and regional unintentional seismic sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If dedicated seismic sources are used to acquire seismic data, then the quality and accuracy of subsurface imaging is improved, but the ability to access certain locations is limited due to obstacles such as factories and residential areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual seismic sources by mathemically processing seismic data recorded at receiver locations. Instead of physically placing dedicated seismic sources at inaccessible locations, the system calculates synthetic source wavefields that replicate what those sources would have produced, thereby copying the effect of dedicated sources without the physical constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses recorded seismic data from receivers as an intermediary to generate virtual sources. The seismic waves naturally propagated through the ground and recorded at accessible receiver locations serve as the medium to indirectly obtain information about inaccessible source locations, bridging the gap between physical constraints and imaging needs
2Reliability
If dedicated seismic sources are deployed in a grid pattern, then comprehensive subsurface coverage is achieved, but obstacles disrupt the grid and limit available shot locations resulting in poor recorded data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional seismic acquisition paradigm by treating receivers as potential sources and calculating virtual source wavefields instead of treating sources as the primary element. This inversion allows the system to work around obstacles by using accessible receiver locations to generate the equivalent of inaccessible source data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the seismic data representation by changing the fundamental parameters from physical source locations to virtual source wavefields calculated through mathematical operations on recorded data, allowing flexibility in overcoming physical deployment constraints
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 improved seismic data acquisition in areas inaccessible to dedicated seismic sources, enhancing the accuracy and completeness of subsurface imaging by incorporating unintentional seismic sources, such as machinery and natural phenomena, to complement or replace dedicated sources.
Implementation Method 1
receiving seismic data generated by an unintentional seismic source
Data Source
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AI summary
Method and device for generating an induced source shot point gather. The method includes receiving (400) seismic data at least partially generated by an unintentional seismic source; calculating (406) plural reconstructed receiver traces (RGi) based on pairing traces from the seismic data; and generating the induced source shot point gather based on the plural reconstructed receiver traces (RGi).