Surface Seismic Data Deconvolution Using Borehole Travel Times

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current seismic data processing methods, particularly those involving surface-seismic and borehole-recorded vibratory seismic data, face limitations in bandwidth and resolution due to improper accounting for harmonic energy, leading to misplacement of higher frequency energy and reduced useful data bandwidth.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced that involves deconvolving surface seismic data based on estimated travel times of direct wave arrivals from borehole seismic data, using a combination of wavefield energy and travel times to correct for source signature distortions and enhance data resolution, allowing for a wider bandwidth and higher-resolution imaging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If correlation-based techniques are used to process surface and VSP seismic data, then the process becomes self-contained and data-driven, but the resolution is not satisfactory in many applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveself-contained data-driven processVSAvoidresolution

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines surface seismic data and VSP seismic data into a unified processing framework. By merging these two data types and applying joint deconvolution operations, the method achieves both self-contained data-driven processing and satisfactory resolution, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the processing parameters by using estimated travel times of direct wave arrivals as a key input parameter for deconvolution. This parameter change enables the system to achieve high resolution while maintaining a self-contained data-driven approach, as the travel times are estimated from the combined surface and VSP data themselves.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If seismic vibrator is used to generate extended time signature, then the frequency range is user-defined and duration is extended, but non-linear response generates harmonic energy that limits useful bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal durationVSAvoiduseful bandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmonic energy components from the seismic signal through deconvolution operations. By taking out the harmful harmonic energy that limits bandwidth, the method recovers the useful frequency range while maintaining the extended duration capability of the seismic vibrator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful non-linear harmonic response into a beneficial signal by using the harmonic energy as additional information for estimating travel times and for improving the deconvolution process. The previously harmful harmonic content becomes a useful component for enhancing overall signal quality and bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Device complexity

If recordings are correlated with reference signal not describing harmonic energy, then processing is simplified, but harmonic energy is misplaced resulting in reduced bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidbandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary estimation of travel times of direct wave arrivals before the main deconvolution processing. This preliminary action provides accurate timing information that guides the subsequent processing steps, enabling proper handling of harmonic energy without excessive complexity while preserving bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces travel time estimates as an intermediary element between the raw seismic recordings and the final processed output. This intermediary parameter mediates the processing by providing the necessary timing information to correctly position harmonic energy, achieving both manageable complexity and preserved bandwidth.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effectively removes wavefield distortions and improves the resolution of seismic data by accurately accounting for source signature and transmission responses, resulting in a more accurate and detailed subsurface image.

Implementation Method 1

estimating from borehole seismic data, travel times of direct wave arrivals between a surface seismic source and one or more locations in a borehole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWave propagation: Sound

Implementation Method 2

The surface seismic data is wavefield deconvolved based at least in part on the estimated travel times of direct wave arrivals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDeconvolution:

Data Source

PatentUS8208341B2Processing of combined surface and borehole seismic data

Publication Date: 2012.06.26 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Methods and related systems are described for processing surface seismic data. Surface seismic data representing seismic signals detected at a plurality of surface locations is wavefield deconvolved using a combination of direct wave travel times estimated from borehole seismic data, and wavefield energy estimated from the surface seismic data.