Popcorn Seismic Source Array Spatial Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seismic surveys face inefficiencies due to long and directional seismic source arrays, which result in signal attenuation and limitations in spatial sampling density, making it difficult to achieve desired signal properties without exceeding physical constraints or slowing down data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
The method of 'Popcorn shooting' allows individual air guns in a seismic array to be fired sequentially over time, enabling self-simultaneous sourcing and increasing spatial sampling density without slowing down the shooting boat, allowing for the creation of longer effective array lengths and improved seismic data acquisition by separating overlapping signals through inversion techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional seismic source arrays are made longer to improve spatial sampling density, then the spatial sampling density is improved, but the array becomes excessively directional and signals suffer from differential normal moveout causing frequency attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The seismic source array is divided into multiple subarrays that are activated sequentially rather than simultaneously. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the spatial sampling density of a long array while maintaining a physically shorter, less directional array configuration, thereby reducing differential normal moveout and signal attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The subarrays are activated in a periodic or sequential manner over time rather than all at once. This time-based activation pattern enables the system to simulate the effect of a longer array while avoiding the harmful directional effects, as each subarray is activated at different times to provide spatial sampling without excessive length.
2Reliability
If more air guns are added to the array to improve signal properties, then the signal properties are improved, but the array becomes too long to fit on the vessel and excessively directional
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding more air guns to a single long array, the system segments the array into multiple subarrays that can be accommodated on the vessel. These subarrays are activated sequentially to provide the equivalent signal properties of a longer array without the physical length constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static, simultaneous activation of all air guns to a dynamic, sequential activation of subarrays. This dynamic approach allows the array configuration to be optimized for both physical constraints and signal properties by activating different subsets of air guns at different times.
3Measurement precision
If the shooting boat slows down to increase spatial sampling density, then the spatial sampling density is improved, but the data acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By activating subarrays periodically or sequentially rather than requiring the boat to slow down for each measurement point, the system maintains higher boat speeds while still achieving the desired spatial sampling density through time-based source activation patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The sequential activation of subarrays allows the shooting boat to maintain continuous forward motion without stopping or slowing down, ensuring that data acquisition proceeds without interruption while still achieving high spatial sampling density through the coordinated timing of subarray activations.
Data Source
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AI summary
So-called "Popcorn shooting", and especially continuous Popcorn shooting, combined with simultaneous source shooting allows considerable flexibility in producing high-resolution data and in creating source arrays. Using a combination of simultaneous source de-blending and Popcorn reconstruction it is possible to construct using post acquisition processing arrays of any desired length by constructing a popcorn pattern that takes into account the vessel speed and physical arrangement of guns behind the towing vessel.