Seismic Velocity Model Refinement via Pseudo-Surface Picks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Horizontal borehole placement in hydrocarbon-bearing formations is challenging due to inaccuracies in seismic velocity models, leading to deviations from target zones, which affects the economic viability of hydrocarbon extraction.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for refining seismic velocity models and modeled surfaces by correlating measured logs with predicted logs during drilling, allowing for real-time adjustments to the drilling direction and trajectory of horizontal boreholes to accurately target hydrocarbon-bearing zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional seismic velocity models are used for borehole placement, then the drilling process can proceed with standard equipment and methods, but the placement accuracy deviates from target zones leading to economic loss

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveborehole placement accuracyVSAvoidseismic velocity model complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary correlation between measured logs and predicted logs before final borehole placement. Surface pick locations are identified in advance and used to refine the seismic velocity model, allowing the drilling operation to proceed with improved accuracy without delaying the overall process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Measured logs serve as an intermediary between the seismic velocity model and the actual subsurface formations. By correlating measured logs with predicted logs and using surface pick locations as reference points, the system mediates between the theoretical model and physical reality to improve placement accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If real-time log correlation and model refinement are implemented, then borehole placement accuracy improves, but the processing time and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetarget zone identification accuracyVSAvoidmodel refinement time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial refinement by focusing computational efforts on specific zones where surface pick locations are available and where log correlation is most beneficial. Rather than refining the entire model uniformly, the system concentrates resources on critical areas to achieve sufficient accuracy without excessive processing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where measured logs from ongoing drilling operations are continuously correlated with predicted logs, and surface pick locations are used to update the seismic velocity model in real-time. This feedback mechanism allows the model to self-correct and improve accuracy without requiring complete re-processing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9182510B2Methods and systems of incorporating pseudo-surface pick locations in seismic velocity models

Publication Date: 2015.11.10 LANDMARK GRAPHICS CORP

AI summary

Incorporating pseudo-surface pick locations in seismic velocity models. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are methods including: refining a seismic velocity model by correlating a predicted log to a measured log; creating a pseudo-surface pick location in a modeled subsurface horizon based on the correlating; modifying at least a portion of a seismic velocity model based on the pseudo-surface pick location; recalculating the modeled subsurface horizon based on the seismic velocity model, thereby creating a modified surface; and plotting the modified surface on a display device of a computer system.