Seismic Amplitude Refinement via Interdependency Modeling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current seismic exploration methods using sensitivity analyses fail to account for the interdependencies between geological parameters and their effects on seismic reflection amplitudes, leading to a partial and potentially skewed understanding of subsurface regions.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize seismic and well data to determine parameter values and generate models of subsurface regions, calculating seismograms and distributions to account for interdependencies, and visualize the impact of parameters on amplitudes using tornado charts for risk assessment and decision-making.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If current sensitivity analyses are used to determine parameter effects on seismic amplitudes, then the analysis process is simple and fast, but the understanding of subsurface regions becomes partial and potentially skewed due to not accounting for interdependencies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis speedVSAvoidinterdependency information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple parameters into a unified sensitivity analysis framework that simultaneously evaluates their individual effects and interdependencies. Instead of analyzing parameters separately as in conventional methods, the system integrates them to capture their combined influence on seismic amplitudes, thereby preserving interdependency information while maintaining analytical efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary computational layer that processes parameter relationships before generating final sensitivity results. This intermediary step captures the complex interdependencies between parameters through mathematical modeling and statistical analysis, then translates these relationships into refined sensitivity estimates that inform subsurface characterization without requiring prohibitively complex computations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If all variables are fixed except the variable of interest in sensitivity analyses, then the analysis is computationally efficient, but the interdependency between parameters is not accounted for

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanalysis complexityVSAvoidparameter effect estimation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from static sensitivity analysis (where all parameters are fixed except one) to a dynamic approach where parameter relationships are modeled as interconnected variables. The system uses probabilistic frameworks and statistical correlations to represent how parameters vary together, allowing the analysis to capture dynamic interdependencies while maintaining computational tractability through efficient algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the sensitivity analysis from examining single parameter changes in isolation to evaluating coordinated parameter changes that reflect their natural interdependencies. By modeling parameters as jointly varying quantities with defined probability distributions and correlation structures, the system achieves more reliable effect estimates without requiring prohibitively complex computational models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3776010B1Systems and methods for refining estimated effects of parameters on amplitudes
Publication Date: 2023.09.27 CHEVRON USA INC
  • EP3776010B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3776010B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3776010B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems and methods for refining estimated effects of parameters on amplitudes are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: (a) obtain ranges of parameter values for individual parameters within a subsurface region of interest; (b) generate a first model of the subsurface region of interest; (c) calculate a synthetic seismogram from the first model to determine corresponding amplitudes; (d) store results of applying the synthetic seismogram; (e) repeat steps (b)-(d) for multiple additional models; (f) obtain a subsurface distribution; (g) apply the subsurface distribution to the multiple models and the corresponding amplitudes; (h) generate a representation; and (i) display the representation.