Seismic Virtual Source Imaging Artifact Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Seismic imaging methods using virtual sources in complex transmission media often result in artifacts due to incomplete source apertures and multiple reflections, leading to suboptimal subsurface formation imaging and hydrocarbon reservoir monitoring.

Innovation Solution

The method involves generating direction-sensitive responses from seismic receivers, determining a virtual signal by cross-correlating receiver responses, and removing wave field components traveling in specific directions to suppress artifacts, thereby improving the quality of the virtual signal and focusing on true subsurface information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If virtual source imaging is performed using conventional cross-correlation methods, then subsurface formation imaging is achieved, but artifacts are introduced due to incomplete source apertures and multiple reflections

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging accuracyVSAvoidartifacts

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes harmful wave field components (multiples and lateral waves) from the recorded seismic data before performing virtual source imaging. By separating and eliminating these artifact-generating components, the method prevents artifacts from being introduced into the final image while preserving the useful subsurface reflection information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of multiple reflections and lateral waves into beneficial information by using them to identify and characterize the complex transmission medium. This understanding of the transmission medium is then used to properly interpret the virtual source images and distinguish true subsurface features from artifacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Object-generated harmful factors

If direction-sensitive responses are used to improve signal quality, then artifact suppression is enhanced, but processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveartifact suppressionVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the wave field into direction-sensitive components (up-going, down-going, lateral waves, multiples) and processes each component separately. This segmentation allows for targeted removal of artifact-generating components while preserving useful signals, achieving artifact suppression through systematic decomposition rather than complex holistic processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by selectively processing only the problematic directional components (removing multiples and lateral waves) rather than processing the entire wave field equally. This approach achieves sufficient artifact suppression without the excessive complexity of comprehensive wave field manipulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 enhances the accuracy of seismic imaging by reducing artifacts and improving the representation of subsurface formations, allowing for more effective hydrocarbon reservoir identification and monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

determining a virtual signal received by a selected receiver k, selected from the set of seismic receivers j, from a virtual source at the location of a selected receiver m, selected from the set of seismic receivers j and which is located at a predetermined distance from the selected receiver k, by performing processing steps comprising cross correlating at least part of the response of the selected receiver m with at least part of the response of the selected receiver k

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCross-correlation:

Implementation Method 2

removing part of the virtual signal that contains a component of the wave field at receiver m traveling in a first direction and removing part of the direction-sensitive responses or part of the virtual signal that contains a component of the wave field at the receiver k traveling in a second direction, the second direction being opposite to the first direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWave field separation:

Data Source

PatentUS8275551B2Method of imaging of seismic data involving a virtual source, methods of producing a hydrocarbon fluid, and a computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2012.09.25 SHELL USA INC

AI summary

Method of imaging seismic data recorded using a set of seismic receivers positioned to receive seismic responses from a subsurface formation upon activating a seismic source. The seismic responses are direction-sensitive responses. A virtual signal received by receiver k from the virtual source at the position of receiver m is determined by processing involving cross correlating at least part of the responses of a receiver m with at least part of the responses of a seismic receiver k. Part of direction-sensitive responses or part of the virtual signal that contains a component of the wave field at receiver m traveling in a first direction and part of the direction-sensitive responses or part of the virtual signal that contains a component of the wave field at the receiver k traveling in a second direction may be removed.