Seismic Wave Arrival Picking with Polarity Correction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Manual picking of seismic vibratory wave arrivals is time-consuming, inconsistent, and prone to errors, leading to inaccurate estimation of physical sample properties and wave speeds, especially due to polarity reversals and contamination issues.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that automatically detects and corrects polarity reversals in shear waves using a dot product test, performs time windowing and filtering in the frequency domain, and determines initial and final values for velocities of seismic waves, enabling simultaneous processing of multi-component data to improve accuracy and reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual picking is used for seismic wave arrivals, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but time consumption increases and measurement precision decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearrival picking accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical picking with an automated computer-based system that uses signal processing algorithms, frequency domain filtering, and polarity detection methods to automatically identify wave arrivals, thereby eliminating time consumption while maintaining or improving measurement precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the seismic data to automatically reveal arrival times through its inherent signal characteristics, using automated detection algorithms that identify arrivals based on frequency content and polarity patterns without requiring human intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual picking is used for seismic wave arrivals, then flexibility is maintained, but reliability and consistency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepicking consistencyVSAvoidoperational flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces subjective manual judgment with objective automated algorithms that consistently apply the same detection criteria to all data, eliminating variability between different operators and ensuring reproducible results across multiple measurements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters from manual visual inspection to automated signal processing with defined thresholds and criteria, transforming the picking process into a standardized procedure that maintains reliability while preserving ease of operation through automated execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automated processing is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing speedVSAvoidprocessing system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated processing using computer-based signal processing algorithms that efficiently handle seismic data through frequency domain transformations and automated arrival detection, significantly increasing productivity while managing system complexity through software-based solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-processing the seismic signals through filtering and transformation before arrival detection, preparing the data in advance to facilitate faster and more accurate automated picking, thereby increasing productivity without proportionally increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If polarity reversal is not corrected, then processing simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevelocity measurement accuracyVSAvoidprocessing procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary detection and correction of polarity reversals before the main velocity calculation process, identifying and correcting sign errors in advance to ensure accurate measurements without adding significant complexity to the overall procedure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback mechanisms to detect polarity reversals by analyzing the consistency of wave arrivals and comparing expected versus actual signal patterns, automatically correcting identified errors to maintain measurement precision while managing processing complexity through iterative refinement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11327188B2Robust arrival picking of seismic vibratory waves

Publication Date: 2022.05.10 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A computer-implemented method can include the following. Seismic vibratory waves through the Earth along a selected vector path are received. An initial value is selected for a first arrival for each of the seismic vibratory waves. Initial values are determined for travel times and velocities of the seismic vibratory waves. Reversed signs of amplitudes of the seismic vibratory waves are determined and corrected. Time intervals are determined based on the initial values of the travel times. Time windowing and filtering in a frequency domain are performed. Final values are determined for first arrivals and travel times for each of the seismic vibratory waves based on the time windowing and filtering. Final values are determined for velocities of the seismic vibratory waves.