Seismic Stacking Velocity Picking Using Structure-Oriented Smoothing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for picking seismic stacking velocities are time-consuming and prone to selecting rapid velocity jitters, failing to accurately account for three-dimensional variations in subterranean formations, leading to suboptimal seismic image generation.

Innovation Solution

The approach incorporates structure-oriented smoothing (SOS) and an anti-multiple Gaussian discriminator, along with regularized velocity inversion, to smooth semblance spectrums and refine stacking velocities, ensuring they follow geological trends and reducing noise from seismic multiples.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If manual picking methods are used for stacking velocities, then the process is simple and easy to operate, but it is time-consuming and prone to selecting rapid velocity jitters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime required for picking stacking velocityVSAvoidaccuracy of stacking velocity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical picking with an automated computer-based system that uses semblance analysis and structural orientation smoothing algorithms to automatically determine stacking velocities, eliminating human intervention while improving both speed and accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the computer to automatically pick stacking velocities without human operator involvement, using algorithms that analyze seismic data patterns and structural orientations to independently determine velocity values

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If traditional picking algorithms are used, then the process is straightforward, but it fails to account for three-dimensional variations in subterranean formations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of stacking velocityVSAvoidcomplexity of processing method

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from two-dimensional seismic sections to three-dimensional volumetric data analysis by incorporating structural orientation information from multiple directions, allowing the system to account for spatial variations in all three dimensions and improve velocity picking accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies local quality by using structural orientation smoothing that adapts to local geological features, allowing different regions of the subsurface to have different velocity characteristics based on their specific structural orientations rather than applying a uniform approach

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If stacking is performed without proper velocity correction, then the process is simple, but the signal-to-noise ratio remains poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidefficiency of image generation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by calculating structural orientations and applying velocity corrections before the stacking process, ensuring that the data is properly prepared and corrected in advance, which improves the signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining efficient processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11531129B2Picking seismic stacking velocity based on structures in a subterranean formation

Publication Date: 2022.12.20 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Systems and methods for picking seismic stacking velocity based on structures in a subterranean formation include: receiving seismic data representing a subterranean formation; generating semblance spectrums from the seismic data representing the subterranean formation; smoothing the semblance spectrums; and picking stacking velocities based on the smoothed semblance spectrums.