Fault Patch Identification in Seismic Data via Energy Minimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies face challenges in accurately extracting and identifying fault locations from complex three-dimensional seismic data, which is crucial for petroleum exploration but often obscured by the complexity of rock formations and seismic reflections.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that define an initial active surface in seismic data, identify and track active surfaces to find control points, and construct fault patches using interpolation and filtering techniques, enabling semi-automatic fault extraction and identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If traditional image processing techniques are used to process 3-D seismic data, then the complexity of processing is reduced, but the precision of fault identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the fault identification problem from direct image processing to an optimization problem by changing the parameter representation. It uses an energy function with multiple parameters (coherence, curvature, continuity) to characterize fault surfaces, and solves for the optimal parameter set that minimizes this energy function, thereby achieving precise fault identification while maintaining manageable processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary energy function that mediates between the raw seismic data and the fault identification result. This energy function serves as a bridge, incorporating multiple geological and geometric parameters to evaluate and optimize fault surface candidates, thus improving identification precision without directly processing the complex raw data.
2Measurement precision
If manual fault identification is performed by geologists, then the accuracy of fault recognition is improved, but the productivity of processing large datasets deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the computer automatically performs fault identification by minimizing the energy function without requiring continuous human intervention. The system autonomously processes seismic data, evaluates multiple fault surface candidates, and identifies faults based on the optimal solution, thereby maintaining high accuracy while dramatically improving processing efficiency for large datasets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of geological interpretation with an automated computational system. Instead of geologists manually analyzing seismic images, the system uses algorithmic optimization to automatically identify faults, substituting human expert analysis with a computer-based method that maintains accuracy while scaling to large datasets.
3Speed
If simple processing methods are used on complex seismic data, then the processing speed is improved, but the reliability of fault extraction deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the processing approach by changing from direct complex data processing to parameter-based optimization. It defines an energy function with multiple parameters that can be efficiently minimized using standard optimization techniques, achieving both fast processing speed and reliable fault extraction results by working with optimized parameters rather than raw complex data.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, which may be and/or may include a computer system (1, 100), and method (3) for identifying a fault patch position from a seismic data volume (103). The system and method may include defining an initial active surface (310) in the seismic data volume (103); identifying (914) one or more active surfaces by minimizing the value of a function for energy; tracking back (916) the active surfaces to find a set of control points; and producing (918) the fault patch position formed by the set of control points.