Reverse-Time Seismic Reservoir Localization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic exploration methods for oil and gas are inefficient and costly due to imperfect information about subsurface reservoir locations, with existing geophysical and geological methods being time-consuming and environmentally impactful.
Innovation Solution
The method involves acquiring synchronous passive seismic data using arrays of sensors to detect naturally occurring seismic waves, applying reverse-time processing to locate subsurface reservoirs by back-propagating seismic energy and interpreting dynamic particle parameters such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reflection seismic data acquisition and processing is used, then reservoir location information can be obtained, but the method is time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies reverse-time migration by inverting the conventional seismic processing timeline. Instead of forward propagation from source to receiver, the method back-propagates recorded seismic data through the subsurface velocity model to reconstruct the original reflector positions. This time inversion enables direct imaging of reservoir locations without lengthy conventional processing steps, resolving the contradiction between obtaining accurate location information and reducing evaluation time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical reflection seismic acquisition with passive seismic methods using naturally occurring seismic waves or ambient vibrations. By substituting active seismic sources with passive detection of existing wave fields and applying reverse-time migration, the method achieves reservoir localization without the time-consuming and costly active survey processes
2Measurement precision
If active source seismic surveying methods are used, then subsurface imaging can be achieved, but environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes active mechanical seismic sources with passive detection methods. Instead of using explosive charges, vibrators, or other active sources that cause environmental disturbance, the method utilizes naturally occurring seismic waves, microseisms, or ambient vibrations combined with reverse-time migration to achieve subsurface imaging. This replacement eliminates the harmful environmental factors associated with active sourcing while maintaining imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts previously harmful or wasted ambient vibrations and noise into useful seismic signals. By treating ambient seismic energy that was once considered interference or environmental pollution as the primary data source, and applying reverse-time migration to extract meaningful subsurface information, the method transforms environmental 'harm' into a beneficial imaging tool
3Loss of information
If conventional seismic processing is used, then reservoir data can be obtained, but cost efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive conventional seismic processing workflows with a streamlined reverse-time migration approach using passive data. By eliminating the need for costly active source deployment, extensive field operations, and lengthy conventional processing sequences, while retaining the ability to obtain high-quality reservoir data through physics-based back-propagation, the method significantly improves cost efficiency without sacrificing information quality
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 allows for more efficient and cost-effective detection of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs by using low-impact methods that reduce environmental impact and improve the accuracy of reservoir location, even in complex media, enabling faster evaluation and exploration of survey areas.
Implementation Method 1
acquiring synchronous passive seismic data from a plurality of sensors to obtain synchronized array measurements
Implementation Method 2
A reverse-time data process is applied to the synchronized array measurements to obtain a plurality of dynamic particle parameters associated with subsurface locations
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for processing synchronous array seismic data includes acquiring synchronous passive seismic data from a plurality of sensors to obtain synchronized array measurements. A reverse-time data process is applied to the synchronized array measurements to obtain a plurality of dynamic particle parameters associated with subsurface locations. These dynamic particle parameters are stored in a form for display. Maximum values of the dynamic particle parameters may be interpreted as reservoir locations. The dynamic particle parameters may be particle displacement values, particle velocity values, particle acceleration values or particle pressure values. The sensors may be three-component sensors. Zero-phase frequency filtering of different ranges of interest may be applied. The data may be resampled to facilitate efficient data processing.