Seismic Survey Receiver Placement Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Seismic surveys often result in low illumination of subsurface areas of interest due to irregular subsurface structures, leading to inadequate seismic data for mapping these areas effectively.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses computer simulations to optimize the placement of seismic sources and receivers based on ray tracing, concentrating them at areas with high concentrations of emergent points to enhance illumination, allowing for targeted surveys that improve data collection in low-illumination zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a standard regular grid pattern of receivers is used, then the survey coverage is uniform and easy to implement, but areas with irregular subsurface structures receive inadequate illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying receiver spacing based on local subsurface characteristics. Receivers are concentrated in areas with irregular structures that require enhanced illumination, while maintaining standard spacing in areas with regular geometry. This allows the survey to adapt to local geological conditions and optimize illumination where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary ray-tracing simulations to identify areas that will have low illumination before the actual survey is conducted. This allows the receiver placement to be optimized in advance based on predicted emergent point distributions, ensuring that problematic areas are targeted with adequate receiver density.
2Measurement precision
If receivers are concentrated in specific areas to improve illumination, then subsurface mapping quality improves, but survey planning complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses computer simulations to create a virtual model of the survey and performs ray-tracing in this digital copy of the subsurface. This allows complex calculations and optimization to be performed on the model rather than requiring complex physical survey design, simplifying the planning process while maintaining high precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual survey design and geometric calculations with automated computer-based ray-tracing simulations. The complex optimization of receiver placement is performed through software algorithms that calculate emergent points and determine optimal receiver concentrations, substituting computational methods for traditional mechanical survey design approaches.
3Productivity
If a uniform receiver grid is used, then data collection is efficient and straightforward, but low illumination areas produce inadequate seismic data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic adaptability into the receiver placement by using ray-tracing simulations to identify areas requiring enhanced coverage. The receiver distribution is adjusted dynamically based on predicted illumination patterns, allowing the survey to maintain high productivity in well-illuminated areas while ensuring adequate data quality in problematic zones.
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 significantly enhances the illumination of subsurface areas of interest, providing more comprehensive and efficient seismic data collection without the need for re-shooting entire surveys, thus improving the mapping of complex subsurface structures.
Implementation Method 1
Ray tracing is performed from the sources to estimate a propagation ray path of seismic signals emanating from the source locations
Implementation Method 2
When the signal reaches interfaces in the subsurface between strata having different acoustic velocities (and also different acoustic impedances), a portion of the energy will be reflected from the interface... the raypath follows the rule that the angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection
Implementation Method 3
The raypath of the energy traveling through the interface will be altered according to Snell's Law
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment the invention comprises a system for planning a seismic survey based on a model of a subsurface formation in which a computer simulation is generated having sources and receivers positioned in selected locations with respect to the model. Ray tracing is performed from the sources to estimate a propagation ray path of seismic signals emanating from the source locations, and emergent points are determined at which ray paths reach the earth's surface following reflection from a subsurface area of interest. A survey may then be designed and performed in which receiver positions are concentrated at the areas where the emergent points are concentrated.