3D Seismic Attribute Volume Blending for Fault Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic data visualization tools require labor-intensive workflows and often result in suboptimal image quality, leading to inaccurate or false interpretations of geologic features in oil and gas exploration, as they fail to effectively enhance the visual representation of geologic features like faults and horizons in 3D seismic survey data.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for enhancing visual representation of geologic features in 3D seismic data by generating multiple attribute volumes with distinct filter settings, combining them to maximize visual detectability, and applying color blending techniques to improve the quality of visual presentation, allowing for both automated and interpreter-guided processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional seismic data visualization tools are used, then the workflow is simpler, but the visual detectability and image quality of geologic features are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the visualization process into multiple independent attribute volume generations, each highlighting different geologic features. By dividing the complex visualization task into separate attribute-based components (e.g., coherence, dip, azimuth attributes), the system achieves superior visual detectability while allowing selective combination of only necessary attributes, thus managing workflow complexity through modular processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D seismic section visualization to 3D attribute volume visualization with color-coded representations. This dimensional enhancement allows interpreters to perceive geologic features like faults and horizons in three dimensions with improved visual detectability, while automated attribute calculation and rendering tools reduce the operational complexity of working with multidimensional data.
2Measurement precision
If multiple attribute volumes with distinct filter settings are generated and combined, then the visual detectability of geologic features is maximized, but the processing time and computational resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores multiple attribute volumes with different filter settings (e.g., varying coherence thresholds, dip angles, azimuth ranges) before the actual interpretation task. This preliminary processing creates a library of pre-processed attribute volumes that can be rapidly combined and visualized without requiring real-time computation, thus maximizing visual detectability while minimizing processing time during interpreter workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple pre-processed attribute volumes with distinct filter settings into integrated visualizations that highlight different aspects of geologic features simultaneously. By merging attributes such as coherence, dip, and azimuth volumes with complementary filter parameters, the system achieves comprehensive visual detectability of faults and horizons while using efficient volume blending algorithms to maintain reasonable processing speeds.
3Loss of information
If color blending techniques are applied to attribute volumes, then the visual presentation quality and comprehensiveness are improved, but the complexity of data processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color blending techniques to attribute volumes where different colors represent different attribute values or different attribute types (e.g., red for high coherence, blue for specific dip ranges, green for particular azimuth orientations). This color-coding system enhances information completeness by allowing interpreters to simultaneously perceive multiple geologic characteristics, while standardized color mapping algorithms and automated legend generation reduce the processing complexity of creating and interpreting color-blended visualizations.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for enhancing visual representation of a geologic feature in 3D seismic survey data, comprising the steps of: (a) generating a plurality of first attribute volumes, each comprising at least one characterising attribute, derivable from said 3D seismic data and different from the characterising attributes of any one of the other said plurality of first attribute volumes; (b) generating a plurality of filtered attribute volumes for each one of said plurality of first attribute volumes, utilizing a plurality of distinct filter settings at each one of said at least one characterising attribute; (c) generating a composite attribute volume by selectively combining one or more of said plurality of filtered attribute volumes so as to maximise visual detectability of said geologic feature.