Seismic First Breaks Onset Tracking via Level Sets Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for determining first breaks' onset times in seismic data are inaccurate due to noise and interference from sources near receivers, leading to incorrect selection of time of arrivals and velocity models of subsurface formations.

Innovation Solution

The method involves processing seismic data to produce attributes using edge smoothing processes, Hilbert Transform, normalization, and de-trending, followed by iterative level sets method-based image segmentation operations to accurately identify and track first breaks' onset times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional methods are used to determine first breaks' onset times, then the process is simple, but the measurement precision is poor due to noise and interference

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirst breaks' onset times determination accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the first breaks determination process into multiple distinct stages: edge smoothing to reduce noise, Hilbert Transform to extract envelope and instantaneous frequency, normalization to standardize amplitude, de-trending to remove linear trends, and level sets method for final edge tracking. Each stage addresses specific aspects of the signal processing independently, improving overall measurement precision while maintaining organized complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary processing actions before the main first breaks determination. Edge smoothing is applied first to eliminate noise and interference from sources near receivers. The Hilbert Transform is performed preliminarily to obtain envelope and instantaneous frequency information. These preliminary actions prepare the data for more accurate subsequent processing steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If noise and interference are present in seismic data, then data collection is easier, but the reliability of first breaks identification deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefirst breaks identification accuracyVSAvoidnoise and interference from sources near receivers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful noise and interference components from the seismic data through edge smoothing processes applied before first breaks identification. The processing separates the useful seismic signal characteristics from the harmful near-receiver interference, allowing reliable first breaks determination despite the presence of such harmful factors in the original data

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of noise and interference into a benefit by using the edge smoothing processes and signal processing techniques to enhance the contrast between first breaks and noise. The processing transforms noisy data into clean, interpretable signals where the first breaks become more distinguishable, turning the originally harmful noise into an opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of the processing methodology

Inventive Principle:

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

3Manufacturing precision

If accurate velocity model generation is required, then measurement precision must be high, but this increases the difficulty of detecting and measuring first breaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevelocity model accuracyVSAvoidfirst breaks detection difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual or simple automated first breaks picking methods with an advanced signal processing system based on the level sets method. This substitution introduces sophisticated mathematical algorithms including Hilbert Transform, edge smoothing, and iterative edge tracking that automatically detect first breaks with high precision, making the measurement process more difficult in terms of computational complexity but yielding significantly more accurate velocity models

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11467302B1Seismic first breaks onset times determination by interface tracking using level-sets method

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A method for determining and tracking an edge of first breaks is provided. The method includes obtaining seismic data associated with subsurface formations, the seismic data relating to a vibration contacting a plurality of portions of the subsurface formations, processing the seismic data to produce processed seismic data comprising one or more attributes, wherein the processed seismic data defines an edge characterizing a plurality of onset times, iteratively performing, using a level sets algorithm, a plurality of tracking operations on the processed seismic data to identify the edge characterizing a plurality of first breaks' onset times, and determining the edge as first breaks.