Multi-Azimuth Seismic Data Binning for Improved Subsurface Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional marine seismic surveys using towed streamers suffer from asymmetrical spatial sampling and illumination issues, leading to suboptimal data quality and increased costs in achieving higher spatial sampling density and illumination.
Innovation Solution
A method for processing marine towed streamer seismic data from regular multi-azimuth surveys by combining data from surveys shot with different azimuth directions, binning the data on a rotated grid, and applying seismic data processing to create an improved subsurface image, which enhances both spatial sampling density and illumination without significantly increasing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional single-azimuth marine seismic surveys are used, then the survey cost is reduced, but the spatial sampling density and illumination are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines seismic data from multiple surveys acquired at different azimuths by binning them together on a common grid. This merging of data from different directional surveys increases the spatial sampling density and illumination without requiring a single expensive high-density survey, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and quantity of substance (cost).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the azimuth dimension by acquiring and combining data from surveys shot at different azimuths (e.g., 0° and 90°). This dimensional approach transforms the sampling pattern from a single-direction linear array to a multi-directional distributed array, improving spatial sampling density without proportionally increasing cost.
2Reliability
If conventional single-azimuth surveys are used, then the data processing complexity is reduced, but the illumination and imaging quality are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the seismic data processing into distinct steps: combining data from different azimuths, binning on a rotated grid, and then applying standard seismic processing. This segmentation makes the complex task of handling multi-azimuth data manageable while achieving improved illumination and imaging quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an asymmetrical binning approach by rotating the bin grid orientation to 45° relative to the survey lines. This asymmetrical treatment of the data from different azimuths optimizes the spatial distribution of samples and improves imaging quality by better sampling the subsurface in all directions.
3Measurement precision
If higher spatial sampling density is achieved through conventional means, then the data quality improves, but the survey cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing sampling density in a single direction through more streamers or closer spacing (which would increase cost), the patent adds the azimuth dimension by combining data from surveys shot at different orientations. This achieves equivalent or superior sampling density at lower cost by utilizing the additional directional dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the binning parameters by rotating the bin grid orientation to 45° and adjusting the bin size to account for multi-azimuth data. This parameter change allows optimal use of data from different azimuths, achieving high data quality without requiring expensive high-density single-azimuth acquisition.
Data Source
AI summary
Marine towed streamer seismic data are combined from a first survey and a second survey, wherein the first survey and the second survey are shot with a bin size of L×L and the second survey is shot with a shooting direction rotated 90° relative to the shooting direction of the first survey. The combined seismic data from the first and second surveys are binned on a bin grid with a bin size ofL2×L2and with a bin grid orientation rotated 45° relative to the shooting directions of the first and second surveys. Then, seismic data processing is applied to the binned seismic data to create an image of the Earth's subsurface.