Pre-stack Seismic Data Enhancement via Local Summation and Waveform Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for enhancing pre-stack seismic data fail to preserve local information such as residual statics, wavelet shape, and frequency band due to low signal-to-noise ratio, leading to smearing and averaging of valuable data, which is critical for accurate seismic imaging of subsurface hydrocarbon formations.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves efficient data-driven estimation of local travel-time signal trajectories and general waveform corrections to enhance pre-stack seismic data, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio and preserving local information, enabling more accurate processing and imaging of subsurface structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If local summation enhancement methods are applied to pre-stack seismic data, then signal-to-noise ratio is increased, but local information such as residual statics, wavelet shape, and frequency band is smeared out and averaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the enhancement process into two distinct stages: first performing local summation to enhance signal-to-noise ratio, then applying waveform correction to restore and preserve local information. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific goal without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies waveform correction as a preliminary or concurrent action during the enhancement process. By estimating local travel-time trajectories and applying corrections while performing local summation, the method prevents information loss rather than attempting to recover it afterward.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional enhancement methods are used on noisy pre-stack seismic data, then processing can be performed, but valuable local information about residual statics, wavelet shape, and frequency band is lost due to averaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces waveform correction as an intermediary process that mediates between the enhancement operation and the final result. This intermediary step compensates for the information loss caused by local summation, preserving local characteristics while maintaining enhanced signal quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters during processing by estimating local travel-time trajectories and applying dynamic corrections for travel-time, phase, and amplitude variations. These parameter changes enable the preservation of local information that would otherwise be lost in conventional enhancement.
3Reliability
If data-driven local summation with waveform corrections is applied, then both signal-to-noise ratio and local information are preserved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs data-driven estimation of local travel-time trajectories, allowing the data itself to guide the correction process rather than relying on external velocity models or complex pre-processing. This self-service approach simplifies the overall workflow despite the enhanced processing capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A system provides seismic images of the subsurface by enhancing pre-stack seismic data. The system obtains seismic data comprising a plurality of seismic traces that are generated by measuring reflections of seismic waves emitted into a geological formation. The system sorts seismic data into at least one multidimensional gather comprising a data domain. The system determines local kinematical attributes of a seismic trace. The system forms an ensemble of seismic traces, each representing a reference point. The system applies local moveout corrections to each seismic trace of the ensemble. The system applies residual statics and phase corrections for each seismic trace that is corrected by the local moveout corrections. The system sums the seismic traces of the ensemble to obtain an output seismic trace having an increased signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) relative to the seismic trace that represents the reference point for the ensemble of seismic traces.