Seismic Survey Method Composite Shot Gather Migration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic survey methods are inefficient and costly due to the need for numerous supercomputers to process large datasets, and summing shot gathers before migration compromises image accuracy and introduces cross-talks.
Innovation Solution
The method involves applying weights to shot gathers before summing them and strategically selecting seismic sources for migration, allowing for reduced error and increased efficiency by grouping sources into composite shot gathers, which are then migrated with fewer computational steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If numerous shot gathers are migrated individually to obtain accurate subsoil survey, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased cost and computational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple shot gathers into a single composite shot gather by summing their seismic traces. This merging allows the migration operation to be performed once on the combined data rather than individually on each shot gather, significantly reducing computational cost and processing time while maintaining acceptable imaging accuracy for the final volumetric image
2Productivity
If shot gathers are summed before migration to reduce computational complexity, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to loss of accuracy and introduction of cross-talks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies weighting factors to individual shot gathers before summing them into a composite shot gather. By optimizing the weight parameters, the method enhances the contribution of higher-quality traces and suppresses lower-quality ones, thereby improving the signal-to-noise ratio and reducing cross-talk effects in the final migrated image while maintaining computational efficiency
3Measurement precision
If numerous supercomputers are used to process large seismic datasets, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of energy increases due to high computational resource requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple shot gathers into a single composite shot gather, reducing the total number of migration operations required. This approach maintains imaging accuracy by preserving essential subsurface information while dramatically reducing computational energy consumption by eliminating redundant processing of individual shot gathers
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 significantly reduces the number of migrations required, achieving accurate volumetric images while minimizing cross-talks and operational costs, thus making seismic surveys more rapid and economical.
Implementation Method 1
seismic waves are used for effecting measurements of the non-invasive type... seismic waves are generated by means of artificial sources... waves are also partially reflected towards the surface on the part of the structures to be surveyed
Data Source
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AI summary
A method is described for obtaining a volumetric image of a geological structure (20) present in the subsoil. The method comprises the following phases: generating a plurality of seismic waves by means of a plurality of seismic sources (12); acquiring a plurality of signals or traces, obtained by processing the seismic waves reflected by the geological structure (20), for creating a seismic record or shot gather for the same activation position of each seismic source (12); migrating, through a numerical processing, each shot gather to create a respective partial volumetric image of the geological structure (20); summing the single partial volumetric images to obtain the overall volumetric image (Ii) of the geological structure (20).