Seismic Inversion Quality Control for Multiple Reflection Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing reflection seismology methods struggle to effectively process seismic data to accurately characterize subsurface formations due to interference from multiple reflections, which can obscure primary reflections and hinder the interpretation of subsurface structures.

Innovation Solution

An iterative full waveform inversion method is employed, which includes automatic selection of seismic data based on quality attributes, allowing for improved data classification and enhanced model generation of subsurface regions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If all seismic data is used in full waveform inversion, then computational completeness is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubsurface characterization accuracyVSAvoidinversion processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the seismic data into multiple subsets based on quality attributes (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio, amplitude, frequency content). Instead of processing all seismic data uniformly, the method divides the data into groups that can be selectively applied during different iterations of the full waveform inversion process, thereby reducing overall processing time while maintaining characterization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by using only a subset of seismic data that meets quality criteria for each inversion iteration. Rather than requiring complete data processing, the method selectively applies high-quality data portions that provide sufficient information for accurate subsurface characterization, thus avoiding unnecessary computational expenditure on low-quality data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Quantity of substance

If multiple reflections are included in seismic data processing, then data completeness is improved, but interpretation accuracy deteriorates due to obscuring of primary reflections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseismic data completenessVSAvoidsubsurface structure interpretation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates primary reflections from multiple reflections using quality attribute analysis. By identifying and isolating the primary reflection signals from the composite seismic data, the method removes the harmful multiple reflection components that obscure primary signals, thereby improving interpretation accuracy while retaining essential primary reflection information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of multiple reflections into a beneficial process by using them as quality indicators. The presence and characteristics of multiple reflections are analyzed to identify and weight primary reflections more accurately, transforming what was previously a source of interference into a useful diagnostic tool for enhancing primary signal detection and characterization.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Reliability

If manual quality control of seismic data is performed, then data quality is improved, but operational complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseismic data qualityVSAvoiddata processing operationality

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by enabling the full waveform inversion process to automatically evaluate and select seismic data quality without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously computes quality attributes, assesses data suitability, and adjusts the inversion process based on detected data quality, thereby maintaining high data quality standards while eliminating the operational burden of manual quality control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where quality attributes computed during the inversion process are fed back into the data selection and weighting schemes. This automated feedback loop continuously monitors data quality metrics and adjusts processing parameters accordingly, replacing manual quality control with an autonomous system that maintains operational simplicity while ensuring data reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12631779B2Reflection seismology inversion with quality control

Publication Date: 2026.05.19 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A method can include receiving seismic data of a subsurface region; performing an iterative full waveform inversion using at least a portion of the seismic data to generate a model of the subsurface region, where the performing includes, after one or more iterations of the full waveform inversion, automatically selecting one or more parts of the seismic data for inclusion in the at least a portion of the seismic data based on data classification using one or more quality attributes; and outputting the model of the subsurface region.