Seismic Data Interference Removal via Source Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Seismic surveys face interference noise from nearby seismic sources, which existing time-sharing methods fail to entirely eliminate, leading to artifacts in data and reduced acquisition efficiency.

Innovation Solution

Processing seismic data to determine the timing relationship between seismic sources in different surveys, allowing for the separation of energy from interfering sources and filtering out noise, using techniques such as cross-correlation and introduction of incoherent delays to enhance noise removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple seismic surveys are conducted simultaneously or near-simultaneously, then acquisition efficiency and productivity are improved, but interference noise from nearby seismic sources increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveacquisition efficiencyVSAvoidinterference noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the composite seismic signal into separate components attributable to different seismic sources. Through cross-correlation analysis and timing determination, the method segments the recorded energy into distinct datasets for each source operation, enabling simultaneous surveys while maintaining data quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts interference noise from the composite seismic signal by identifying and isolating energy attributable to specific seismic source operations. Using timing information and cross-correlation techniques, the method extracts and removes unwanted interference while preserving the desired seismic data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If time-sharing methods are used to reduce interference, then some noise reduction is achieved, but artifacts remain in the data and noise is not entirely eliminated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterference noiseVSAvoiddata quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical time-sharing methods with signal processing techniques. Instead of physically separating surveys in time, the method uses cross-correlation analysis and timing determination to mathematically separate and remove interference, eliminating artifacts while preserving data quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback by using cross-correlation analysis to determine timing relationships between seismic sources, then applying this information to selectively remove interference. The process continuously refines the separation by comparing expected source signatures with actual recorded energy patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS8902697B2Removing seismic interference using simultaneous or near simultaneous source separation

Publication Date: 2014.12.02 WESTERNGECO LLC

AI summary

A technique includes providing seismic data that is indicative of energy that is sensed in response to a first operation of at least one seismic source in a first seismic survey and a second operation of at least one seismic source in a second seismic survey. The technique includes processing the seismic data to determine a timing of the second operation relative to the first operation, and the technique includes based at least in part of the determined timing, processing the seismic data to generate a dataset, which is indicative of the sensed energy that is attributable to the first operation and is not attributable to the second operation.