Time-lapse Seismic Imaging with Sparse Monitor Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Time-lapse seismic surveys are computationally intensive and costly, with conventional methods requiring full data sets for accurate 3D representation of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs, leading to high costs and potential missed opportunities in reservoir management due to the time required for data acquisition and processing.
Innovation Solution
A method for performing time-lapse seismic monitor surveys using sparsely sampled seismic data sets, where external information from previous surveys or predictions is incorporated to generate accurate 3D representations of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs, reducing the need for extensive data acquisition and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional full data set seismic surveys are used to generate accurate 3D representations of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs, then imaging accuracy is improved, but cost and time required for data acquisition and processing increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by using sparsely sampled seismic data sets that contain only a subset of the conventional full data sets. The method processes these reduced data sets to generate 3D representations of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs, achieving acceptable imaging accuracy with significantly reduced time and cost requirements compared to conventional full data acquisition methods
2Productivity
If sparsely sampled seismic data sets are used to reduce cost and time, then productivity is improved, but non-repeatable noise and imaging artifacts increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing method that acts as a mediator between the sparsely sampled seismic data and the final 3D representation. This intermediary processing involves sophisticated algorithms that reconstruct the subsurface image from incomplete data while filtering out non-repeatable noise and imaging artifacts, thereby maintaining signal quality despite using reduced data sets
3Measurement precision
If conventional full 3D seismic surveying is performed to obtain accurate subsurface information, then measurement precision is improved, but computational intensity and processing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for accurate subsurface representation from the seismic data. By using sparsely sampled data sets and targeted processing algorithms, the method extracts sufficient geological information without requiring the full computational intensity of conventional 3D seismic surveying, thereby reducing processing cost while maintaining measurement precision
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
Enables the generation of accurate 3D representations of subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs using significantly less data, reducing costs and time while minimizing non-repeatable noise and imaging artifacts, thus supporting more timely and effective reservoir management decisions.
Implementation Method 1
seismic energy is generated by a source and travels vertically as body waves into subsurface regions to reflectors, and then returns to receivers
Implementation Method 2
seismic energy is generated by a source and travels vertically as body waves into subsurface regions to reflectors, and then returns to receivers
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for performing time-lapse seismic monitor surveys with sparsely sampled monitor data sets. A more accurate 3D representation (e.g., image) of a target area (e.g., a hydrocarbon bearing subsurface reservoir) is constructed using the sparsely sampled monitor data set (11). The sparsely sampled monitor data set may be so limited that it alone is insufficient to generate an accurate 3D representation of the target area, but accuracy is achieved through use of certain external information (14). The external information may include information accurately identifying a shape of the seismic reflector(s) present in the target area. The shape may be predetermined from a fully sampled base survey, and used to enable an accurate 3D representation (12) of the target area to be later generated for a monitor survey using a sparsely sampled monitor data set.