Seismic Image Enhancement via Correlation and Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Seismic data often contains undesired components like noise and unreliable data, which degrade the quality of seismic images used for subsurface structure analysis and oil/gas exploration.

Innovation Solution

A method that generates a feature trace from seismic gathers, calculates correlation traces, applies an activation function to these traces, and multiplies the original seismic traces with the modified correlation traces to reduce undesired components, thereby enhancing the signal-to-noise ratio and improving image quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If traditional seismic data processing is used, then the processing method is simple, but the seismic images contain noise and unreliable data that degrade image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseismic image qualityVSAvoidprocessing method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The method performs preliminary enhancement of individual seismic traces before final image assembly by generating feature traces, computing correlation traces, and applying activation functions to create modified traces that reduce noise and unreliable data components, thereby improving the quality of the final seismic image

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The method introduces intermediate processing elements including feature traces derived from seismic gathers, correlation traces that compare feature traces with individual traces, and activation functions that modify correlation traces to produce modified traces, which serve as intermediaries to eliminate noise and unreliable data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If seismic data is processed to reduce noise, then the signal-to-noise ratio improves, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The method segments the seismic data processing into distinct stages: generating feature traces from seismic gathers, computing correlation traces for each individual trace, applying activation functions to modify correlation traces, and multiplying original traces with modified correlation traces to produce enhanced traces, thereby systematically reducing noise while managing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The method replaces traditional mechanical noise filtering approaches with a computational approach using correlation analysis and activation functions, where feature traces and correlation traces are generated through mathematical operations rather than physical filtering mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10983237B2Enhancing seismic images

Publication Date: 2021.04.20 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A method of enhancing seismic images includes receiving a seismic gather. The seismic gather includes a plurality of seismic traces. A feature trace is generated based on the plurality of seismic traces in the seismic gather. For each of the plurality of seismic traces in the seismic gather, a correlation trace is generated based on that seismic trace and the feature trace, the correlation trace is modified using an activation function, and an enhanced trace is generated by multiplying that seismic trace with the modified correlation trace.