Integrated Modeling for Deep-Formation Seismic Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Challenges exist in deploying seismic sources and receivers to adequately cover all depth of interest in geophysical exploration, particularly for underground formation layers, due to geophysical variations, leading to insufficient seismic illumination and mapping of reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
Integrating seismic data, vertical seismic profiling (VSP) data, rock physics fluid substitution modeling, and amplitude versus offset (AVO) modeling to determine optimal seismic acquisition parameters, using 1D ray tracing and calibrating log data to predict minimum offsets and angles for effective seismic imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If seismic sources and receivers are deployed to cover all depth of interest, then seismic illumination and mapping coverage improve, but deployment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of incidence angles and offsets using integrated modeling of wireline logs, VSP data, and rock physics before actual seismic deployment. This preliminary action identifies the specific angular and offset ranges needed to illuminate target formations, allowing optimized deployment configurations that cover all depth of interest without unnecessary sources and receivers, thus reducing deployment complexity while maintaining comprehensive coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from physical deployment parameters to modeling parameters by determining incidence angles and offsets through integrated subsurface modeling. Instead of deploying extensive arrays to ensure coverage, the system uses calibrated velocity logs and rock physics models to calculate the specific angular and offset ranges required, then configures the seismic survey parameters accordingly, reducing physical deployment complexity while ensuring adequate illumination
2Measurement precision
If integrated modeling with multiple data types is performed, then accuracy of acquisition parameter determination improves, but computational complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple data sources (wireline logs, VSP data, rock physics models) into a unified integrated modeling framework to determine acquisition parameters. By combining these diverse data types and correlating them against each other, the system achieves high accuracy in determining incidence angles and offsets. The merging process involves correlating velocity data from different sources and using the combined information to drive rock physics models, ensuring accurate parameter determination despite the computational complexity of handling multiple data types
3Manufacturing precision
If velocity data log is calibrated against VSP data, then accuracy of seismic trace prediction improves, but data processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs velocity log calibration against VSP data as a preliminary step before generating synthetic seismograms and determining acquisition parameters. This preliminary calibration ensures that the velocity model accurately represents the subsurface, which is critical for predicting seismic trace responses. By completing the calibration early in the workflow, the system establishes an accurate foundation for subsequent modeling steps, reducing the need for iterative adjustments and ultimately saving time despite the initial processing requirement
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
Ensures adequate seismic illumination for lithology/fluid discrimination, providing full coverage of intended formation depths and accurate seismic reconstruction, handling large datasets efficiently through computerized tools.
Implementation Method 1
acoustic waves are launched to probe subterranean regions and the return echoes are acquired for analysis and image reconstruction
Implementation Method 2
measure the response of the subsurface to seismic waves from the seismic sources
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes: accessing wireline data and vertical seismic profiling (VSP) data; correlating logged velocity from the wireline data with velocity data from the VSP data to calibrate the logged velocity; determining, based on, at least in part, the calibrated logged velocity, a range of incidence angles for acquiring seismic traces sufficient to map a formation depth at the geo-exploration site using pairs of acoustic emitter and acoustic receiver placed at a surface of the geo-exploration site; and determining a range of offsets between the acoustic emitter and the acoustic receiver of each pair so that the acoustic receiver can acquire seismic traces sufficient to map the formation depth at the geo-exploration site; and comparing the range of angles and the range of offsets with acquisition parameters of a planned seismic survey to determine whether the planned seismic survey can map as deep as the formation depth.