Stratal-Sliced Seismic Volume Deformation Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for interpreting 3-D seismic data struggle to accurately represent paleo-depositional surfaces, especially in volumes with structural deformation, leading to incomplete or misleading results due to limitations in horizon and proportional slicing techniques.
Innovation Solution
A workflow that transforms seismic data from the (x,y,z) domain to the (x,y,s) domain, where every horizontal slice represents a stratal surface, using Domain Transformation and Surface Wrapping techniques to remove structural deformation effects and enhance the imaging of depositional systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If horizon slicing or proportional slicing is used to interpret 3-D seismic data, then the interpretation speed is improved, but the accuracy of representing paleo-depositional surfaces deteriorates in volumes with structural deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the slicing method based on the local structural characteristics of the seismic volume. In deformed regions, it automatically transitions from static horizontal or proportional slices to dynamic stratal slices that conform to the actual paleo-depositional surfaces, thereby maintaining both interpretation efficiency and accuracy across different geological contexts
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the fundamental parameter of slice orientation from fixed horizontal planes or simple proportional divisions to variable stratal surfaces that are defined by the actual geologic architecture. This parameter change allows the slices to accurately follow paleo-depositional surfaces even in the presence of faulting, folding, and other structural deformations
2Measurement precision
If more advanced computer-aided processes are implemented to improve interpretation accuracy, then the precision of depositional system identification is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary structural analysis to identify and characterize deformation features before the actual slicing operation. By pre-processing the seismic data to detect faults, folds, and other structural elements, the system prepares the necessary geometric information in advance, which simplifies the subsequent stratal slice generation and reduces overall computational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary computational layer that bridges the gap between raw seismic data and final depositional system interpretation. This intermediary process automatically generates stratal surfaces and manages the complex geometric transformations, shielding the user from the underlying computational complexity while maintaining high precision in depositional system identification
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(b)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3a
AI summary
A process that assists with the identification of potential hydrocarbon deposits that includes performing a structural interpretation of a three-dimensional seismic volume, transforming the three-dimensional seismic volume into a stratal-slice volume, performing a stratigraphic interpretation of the stratal-slice volume which includes the extracting of bounding surfaces and faults and transforming the stratal-slice volume into the spatial domain. As illustrated in Figs. 24a, b and c, an exemplary seismic volume before Domain Transformation is presented in Fig. 24a, interpreted horizons and faults used in the transformation are presented in Fig. 24b, and the Domain Transformed stratal-slice volume is presented in Fig. 24c. The input seismic volume in Fig. 24a has deformations associated with syn- and post-depositional faulting. The output Domain Transformed volume (Fig. 24c) is substantially free of deformations.