Passive Electroseismic Surveying for Subsurface Property Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional geophysical surveying techniques are limited by the need for expensive and time-consuming equipment, often providing incomplete or incorrect information about subsurface geophysical properties, leading to inefficient exploration and drilling operations.

Innovation Solution

A surveying system utilizing passive electroseismic or seismoelectric techniques that detects electromagnetic and seismic signals generated by natural earth processes, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of subsurface formations without the need for active energy sources, and combining data from multiple methods for enhanced accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional geophysical surveying techniques are used, then surveying equipment can provide information about subsurface properties, but the equipment is expensive and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubsurface property informationVSAvoidsurveying time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses naturally occurring electromagnetic signals from the earth itself as the surveying source, eliminating the need for expensive active electromagnetic sources. The earth's background electromagnetic field serves the surveying function without requiring external energy input or specialized equipment generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces active electromagnetic signal generation equipment with passive detection of naturally occurring electromagnetic signals. Instead of using mechanical or electrical systems to generate surveying signals, the system detects signals that already exist in the earth's electromagnetic environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If conventional geophysical surveying techniques are used, then some geophysical properties can be detected, but the information is incomplete or incorrect

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegeophysical property informationVSAvoidsubsurface property accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines data from multiple surveying methods including passive electroseismic surveying, passive seismoelectric surveying, and other geophysical methods. By merging these different data sources, the system achieves a more complete and accurate understanding of subsurface properties than any single method could provide alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is designed to detect multiple types of geophysical properties simultaneously using the same passive detection infrastructure. By detecting both electromagnetic signals and seismic signals generated by electroseismic and seismoelectric conversions, the system provides multi-functional surveying capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If active electromagnetic or seismic energy sources are used, then surveying data can be collected, but site safety is compromised and environmental impact increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurvey data qualityVSAvoidsite safety and environmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts what would normally be considered background noise or irrelevant signals into useful surveying data. By detecting naturally occurring electromagnetic signals and the signals generated through electroseismic and seismoelectric conversions, the system transforms the earth's natural electromagnetic environment from a source of interference into the primary surveying mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces active energy generation systems with passive detection systems. Instead of using mechanical or electrical systems to generate electromagnetic or seismic energy for surveying, the system detects signals that are naturally present in the earth's electromagnetic and seismic environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Loss of energy

If passive electroseismic or seismoelectric surveying is used, then costs and environmental impact are reduced, but the ability to detect subsurface properties may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidsubsurface property detection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 costs and environmental impact, improves site safety, and provides a more complete and reliable understanding of subsurface properties, reducing the risk of dry holes and inaccurate reserve estimates.

Implementation Method 1

the electromagnetic signal is generated by an electroseismic or seismoelectric conversion of the passive-source electromagnetic signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroseismic conversion:

Implementation Method 2

the electromagnetic signal is generated by an electroseismic or seismoelectric conversion of the passive-source electromagnetic signal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSeismoelectric conversion:

Implementation Method 3

detect an electromagnetic signal generated in response to an electroseismic or seismoelectric conversion of the earth's background electric field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroseismic conversion:

Implementation Method 4

detect an electromagnetic signal generated in response to an electroseismic or seismoelectric conversion of the earth's background electric field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSeismoelectric conversion:

Implementation Method 5

detect a seismic signal generated in response to an electroseismic or seismoelectric conversion of the earth's background electric field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroseismic conversion:

Implementation Method 6

detect a seismic signal generated in response to an electroseismic or seismoelectric conversion of the earth's background electric field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSeismoelectric conversion:

Data Source

PatentUS10203427B2Correlation techniques for passive electroseismic and seismoelectric surveying

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 ES XPLORE LLC

AI summary

A method for surveying, may include receiving, by a processor, first survey data from a first source, the first source comprising a first signal generated by a subsurface earth formation in response to a passive-source electromagnetic signal, wherein the electromagnetic signal is generated by an electroseismic or seismoelectric conversion of the passive-source electromagnetic signal. The method may also include receiving, by the processor, second survey data from a second source and processing the first survey data and the second survey data to determine one or more properties of a subsurface earth formation.