Subsurface Temperature Estimation via Seismic Travel Time

Solution Overview

Problem

Current techniques for determining temperature distribution in the Earth's crust using seismic data are inconvenient and require specialized software and expert users, limiting their accessibility and usability in real-time data rooms.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses seismic two-way travel time data and a scaling factor derived from steady-state heat flow and thermal conductivity to estimate subsurface temperatures, eliminating the need for depth conversion and simplifying the process by correlating seismic velocity with thermal conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If basin modelling software packages are used to determine temperature distribution, then temperature profiles can be computed using Fourier's Law, but the process requires specialized software and expert users, reducing ease of operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature determination accuracyVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, specialized basin modelling software with a simple spreadsheet-based calculation tool that can be easily distributed and used by non-experts. The complex geological models and specialized software are replaced by accessible spreadsheet templates that perform temperature calculations using basic input parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical/software-based basin modelling system with a simplified mathematical approach implemented in spreadsheets. Instead of requiring specialized software packages, the solution uses universal spreadsheet applications that are already available in most data rooms, replacing the need for proprietary software with a universally accessible platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If basin modelling software packages are used to determine temperature distribution, then temperature profiles can be computed, but the software requires expert users and is not available in data rooms, increasing device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature determination accuracyVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, specialized basin modelling software with a simple spreadsheet-based calculation tool that can be easily distributed and used by non-experts. The complex geological models and specialized software are replaced by accessible spreadsheet templates that perform temperature calculations using basic input parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical/software-based basin modelling system with a simplified mathematical approach implemented in spreadsheets. Instead of requiring specialized software packages, the solution uses universal spreadsheet applications that are already available in most data rooms, replacing the need for proprietary software with a universally accessible platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If seismic data are transmitted via communications link to data room, then real-time visualization is possible, but data are accessible for limited time only, increasing loss of time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoiddata accessibility time

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary temperature calculations and generates temperature overlays before the seismic data leave the data room. By pre-calculating temperature profiles and preparing visualization overlays in advance, the system ensures that temperature information is ready for immediate integration with seismic images during the limited data accessibility window, eliminating the need for time-consuming calculations during the brief data availability period.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary 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

Enables convenient and rapid temperature estimation in the 'golden zone' for oil exploration, reducing the need for complex geological models and allowing for immediate visualization of temperature distributions in seismic images, even in resource-constrained environments.

Implementation Method 1

applying a scaling factor q/2a to the or each travel time t to determine said temperature T for the or each travel time, where q is a steady state heat flow at the earth's surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSteady-state heat flow: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

These techniques may compute temperature profiles using a steady state approximation, by solving the equations of Fourier's Law

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFourier's Law: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2989489B1Improvements in determining sub-surface temperature

Publication Date: 2019.06.05 EQUINOR ENERGY AS

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AI summary

There is described a technique for determining a temperature at a region below the surface of the Earth. In an embodiment, a time of travel of a seismic wave following the emission from a source into the earth is provided, and the travel time is used to estimate the temperature. In one example, a model based on the travel time and a further component, which may for example be based on heat flow and a constant of proportionality between seismic velocity and thermal conductivity, may be used to estimate the temperature.