Seismic Imaging via Structure Tensor Regularization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current seismic migration techniques face challenges in accurately imaging subsurface structures due to noise and distortion, particularly in areas with complex velocity variations and steep dips, as they are ill-posed and sensitive to errors in data acquisition.

Innovation Solution

The method employs a structure tensor and total variation regularization operator in conjunction with the two-way acoustic wave equation for seismic image enhancement, using iterative inversion strategies to attenuate noise and preserve geological structures, by calculating wavefield back-propagation and constructing new gradients with the calculated operators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional seismic migration techniques are used, then subsurface imaging is achieved, but noise and distortion remain in complex velocity variation areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseismic image resolutionVSAvoidnoise and distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a migration footprint operator as an intermediary element that models the blurring effect of migration. By explicitly representing this operator and its inverse, the method can compensate for migration-induced distortion and noise, thereby improving seismic image resolution while reducing harmful artifacts in complex velocity variation areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the migration problem by changing the parameter representation from direct seismic data to a deconvolved reflectivity model. By applying inverse migration operators and adjusting the mathematical parameters of the imaging equation, the method recovers true subsurface reflectivity while attenuating noise and distortion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of information

If migration operator is applied to map seismic traces to subsurface interfaces, then subsurface imaging is achieved, but migration footprint and noise are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubsurface structure informationVSAvoidmigration footprint and noise

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and separates the migration footprint operator from the overall migration process. By isolating this operator, the method can specifically target and remove migration-induced noise and artifacts while preserving the essential subsurface structure information, effectively taking out the harmful components from the imaging result

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements an iterative feedback mechanism where the migration footprint operator is applied and then inverted in successive iterations. Each iteration refines the subsurface image by compensating for previously introduced distortion, progressively reducing migration footprint and noise while enhancing structural information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If inverse operator or adjoint operator is used for migration, then subsurface model estimation is achieved, but the model is polluted compared to true reflectivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubsurface model accuracyVSAvoidmodel fidelity to true reflectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the inversion principle by using the inverse of the migration footprint operator to undo the blurring effect. Instead of accepting the polluted model from conventional migration, the method inverts the migration process mathematically to recover the true reflectivity model, thereby improving both accuracy and fidelity to the actual subsurface structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 results in improved seismic image resolution and noise attenuation, providing a more reliable and accurate subsurface model by reducing sensitivity to initial model and data noise while maintaining geologic structure integrity.

Implementation Method 1

calculating forward wave propagation using the two-way acoustic wave equation to create synthetic data; computing wavefield back-propagation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave propagation: Acoustics

Data Source

PatentUS11574197B2Method and apparatus for seismic imaging processing with enhanced geologic structure preservation

Publication Date: 2023.02.07 CHINA PETROLEUM & CHEMICAL CORP

AI summary

A method for seismic processing includes steps of seismic signal forward propagation and seismic data back propagation. The subsurface medium image is created after correlating and summarizing forward and backward propagation results. To address migration footprint and noise due to the incomplete data acquisition aperture and migration approximation in the migration operator, the iteration inversion strategy incorporates tensor flow calculated from seismic image. A regularization operator based on structure tensor of image is applied to seismic image inversion.