Seismic Receiver Geometry Reduces Surface Scattering Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seismic exploration techniques face challenges in reducing noise from surface scattering, which affects the quality and confidence of seismic signal processing, especially in deep subterranean surveys where noise can occupy up to 95% of measurement signal strength.
Innovation Solution
The described geometry for the layout of seismic sources and receivers on the terranean surface reduces noise by optimizing the distribution of receivers, with fewer receivers in certain zones and more in others, spaced uniformly, to minimize surface scattering noise while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If densely-packed arrays of seismic energy receivers are installed within each square area, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The survey area is divided into multiple square areas, each defined by four seismic energy sources at the corners. Receivers are installed within these segmented square areas rather than uniformly across the entire survey area, allowing for localized dense sampling where needed while reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the survey area have different receiver densities. Each square area can have receivers installed based on local geological complexity and noise conditions, allowing high measurement precision in critical zones while using fewer receivers in areas with lower requirements, thus balancing quality and complexity
2Ease of operation
If conventional parallel row arrangements of sources and receivers are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but noise from surface scattering increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent breaks the conventional symmetric parallel row arrangement by placing receivers within square areas defined by sources at corners, creating an asymmetric geometry that reduces surface scattering noise while still maintaining relatively simple deployment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of arranging sources and receivers in one-dimensional parallel rows, the patent introduces a two-dimensional square area configuration where receivers are positioned within areas defined by corner sources, adding spatial dimensionality to reduce noise while maintaining operational simplicity
3Measurement precision
If more seismic energy receivers are installed to reduce noise, then measurement precision improves, but loss of energy and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than uniformly distributing receivers across the entire survey area, the patent applies partial action by concentrating receivers within specific square areas where they are most needed, achieving sufficient measurement precision without the excessive energy cost of full-area dense coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial distribution parameter of receiver placement from uniform to non-uniform, concentrating receivers within square areas defined by source configurations, which optimizes signal quality while reducing the total number of receivers and associated operational costs
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 approach effectively reduces noise interference, allowing for clearer seismic signal processing and improved image generation of subterranean formations with reduced aliasing and noise, enhancing the accuracy of seismic data without increasing equipment or operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
seismic reflection is used for exploring geophysics by using principles of seismology to estimate the characteristics of the Earth's subsurface from reflected seismic waves
Data Source
AI summary
A seismic exploration system includes a survey area defined by a perimeter and including a first plurality of sub-areas and a second plurality of sub-areas adjacent the first plurality of sub-areas; two or more seismic energy sources installed within the perimeter of the seismic survey area; a first plurality of groups of seismic energy receivers installed in the first plurality of sub-areas, each of the groups of seismic energy receivers in the first plurality of groups including two or more seismic energy receivers per wavelength of seismic energy generated by the two or more seismic energy sources; and a second plurality of groups of seismic energy receivers installed in the second plurality of sub-areas, each of the groups of seismic energy receivers in the second plurality of groups including less than two seismic energy receivers per wavelength of seismic energy generated by the two or more seismic energy sources.