Seismic First Arrival Picking via Normal Moveout Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Marine and land seismic surveys face challenges in accurately detecting first arrivals due to noise and measurement errors, leading to unreliable data and limited image resolution, especially in micro seismic surveys where background noise is significant.
Innovation Solution
A method for first arrival picking in multi-channel seismic survey data that involves selecting temporary first arrival values, performing normal move-outs to correct for measurement errors, and adjusting error values to derive a true first arrival selection range, ensuring high reliability by evaluating standard deviations and continuity across multiple sets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional first arrival picking technologies are used on seismic measurement data, then the picking process can be completed, but the selected first arrival is unreliable due to noise and measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple temporary first arrival selections from different traces into a single综合 selection through statistical processing. By merging multiple measurements and applying normal moveout corrections across multiple traces, the method consolidates reliable first arrival information while filtering out noise-contaminated selections, thereby improving overall reliability and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an iterative feedback mechanism where temporary first arrival selections are evaluated against expected arrival patterns, and selections that deviate significantly are corrected. The process uses feedback from the statistical distribution of arrival times and the hyperbolic reflection pattern expectations to continuously refine and improve the reliability of first arrival selections.
2Loss of information
If seismic surveys are performed at sea to collect measurement data, then subsurface imaging can be obtained, but unintentional noise is introduced when waves collide with the sound source or receiver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes noise-contaminated first arrival selections from the dataset. By identifying temporary selections that fall outside the expected hyperbolic pattern or show large deviations, the method separates and eliminates noise-affected data points from the reliable first arrival information, thereby recovering data quality despite the presence of wave collision noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of wave noise into a beneficial filtering mechanism. By using the statistical distribution of multiple temporary selections and comparing against expected geological patterns, the method identifies which noise-contaminated selections deviate from the true signal, effectively using the noise presence itself as a marker to eliminate unreliable data and isolate the true first arrivals.
3Productivity
If multiple temporary first arrival values are selected from each trace, then the picking process can be completed, but values with large deviations reduce the reliability of the selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selecting only those temporary first arrival values that fall within the expected hyperbolic pattern and show minimal deviation from the statistical mean. Rather than using all temporary selections, the method selectively processes only the reliable subset, maintaining productivity while eliminating the harmful effect of large deviation values on reliability.
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 method enhances the reliability of first arrival picks and improves image resolution by filtering out noise and strong signals, allowing for accurate estimation of micro earthquake locations and subsurface structures.
Implementation Method 1
an air gun or sparker is used as a sound source for generating sound waves, and a streamer cable is used as a receiving device for receiving signals
Implementation Method 2
the measured data of the sound waves reflected from the seabed is calculated to obtain images of the seafloor surface form and the subsurface stratum
Implementation Method 3
Sea bottom signal from seismic collection data such as the shot gather or the common depth point gather data is shown as ahyperbola form drawn according to the water depth and the arrangement of the sound source and receiver
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of first arrival picking of multi-channel seismic survey data considering sound source-receiver array that can increase the reliability of a first arrival selected from marine seismic survey measurement data that includes noise, that includes selecting a temporary first arrival value of each trace in a set configured to have a plurality of traces using any one of a conventional first arrival picking technology, deriving a transform set including the temporary first arrival values by performing a normal move-out using a sound source-receiver distance and a velocity of a medium so as to correct a time difference generated during measurement, subtracting a temporary first arrival value of a large deviation from the transform set, deriving a first arrival expected location by generating an average value of remaining temporary first arrival values in the transform set, deriving a true first arrival selection range by adding or subtracting an arbitrary error value to or from the average value of the temporary first arrival values, and selecting a true first arrival value within the true first arrival selection range using any one of the conventional first arrival picking technologies.