Interleaved Seismic Source Arrays for Overlapping Shot Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seismic data acquisition using multiple sources is prone to noise interference, leading to unusable data portions, and existing methods do not effectively increase the incoherency of noise generated during data collection.
Innovation Solution
The method involves interleaving the activation of multiple source arrays with dithered shot point positions, staggering the arrays spatially, and applying spatial coding to source array geometry to enhance the separability of overlapping shots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple sources are fired close in time to decrease acquisition time and cost, then productivity is improved, but noise interference increases making data unusable
Solution Approach 1:
The source array is divided into multiple sub-arrays, each fired at different times. This segmentation allows multiple sources to be activated in close succession without complete overlap, maintaining high productivity while reducing noise interference through temporal separation of individual source contributions.
Solution Approach 2:
The method employs periodic firing patterns where sub-arrays are activated in alternating sequences. This periodic action creates predictable noise patterns that can be separated during processing, allowing fast acquisition while managing noise interference through structured temporal patterns.
2Productivity
If multiple sources are fired simultaneously to increase data density, then productivity is improved, but the incoherency of noise is insufficient for effective separation
Solution Approach 1:
Different sub-arrays are assigned different local qualities through distinct firing patterns and spatial configurations. This creates varied noise characteristics from each sub-array, increasing incoherency and enabling effective separation during processing while maintaining high data collection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The method introduces asymmetry in the firing patterns of different sub-arrays, with varying time intervals and spatial arrangements. This asymmetric design ensures that noise from different sources has distinct characteristics, improving separability while allowing simultaneous or near-simultaneous operation for high productivity.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sources are fired sequentially to reduce noise interference, then noise complexity is reduced, but acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sub-arrays are merged into a coordinated firing sequence where overlapping acquisition periods are utilized. This combining approach allows sequential firing patterns that reduce noise complexity while maintaining short overall acquisition time through efficient use of overlapping time windows.
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 reduces noise complexity, particularly in 3D data sorting, by increasing the randomness and incoherency of blending noise, thus improving the quality and separability of seismic data.
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
Data Source
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AI summary
System and techniques to position a first source array at a fixed first inline distance from a vessel, position a second source array at a fixed second inline distance from a vessel, wherein the fixed second horizontal inline distance differs from the fixed first horizontal distance, generating a spatial coding, fire the first source array, and fire the second source array.