Target-Enclosing Extended Image Deconvolution for Seismic Interference

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multidimensional deconvolution methods can only retrieve reflection responses at one target datum and fail to isolate the response of a target volume due to interference from both overburden and underburden structures, limiting the accuracy of seismic imaging.

Innovation Solution

The method generates Target-Enclosing Extended Image (TEEI) gathers by constructing a TEEI system using up- and down-going fields retrieved through Marchenko redatuming, followed by Multi-Dimensional Deconvolution (MDD) to retrieve responses that are devoid of interference from structures above and below the target volume, effectively isolating the target volume's properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multidimensional deconvolution is used to retrieve reflection responses, then the processing method can remove interference from overburden structures, but it cannot isolate the response of a target volume due to remaining interference from underburden structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseismic imaging accuracyVSAvoidinterference from underburden structures
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the seismic wavefield into up-going and down-going components using Marchenko redatuming techniques. This segmentation allows separate handling of waves from different directions, enabling the isolation of target volume responses from underburden interference by focusing only on up-going waves from the target region.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by constructing Target-Enclosing Extended Image (TEEI) gathers that are specific to each target volume of interest. The imaging process is localized to enclose only the desired target volume between two datums, ensuring that the retrieved responses have the local quality of being free from underburden structures outside the enclosed volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If reflectivity inversion is performed at one target datum, then the method can retrieve reflection responses, but it cannot retrieve both reflection and transmission responses that completely enclose a target volume

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of target volume responseVSAvoidimaging system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from single-datum reflectivity inversion to a two-datum extended imaging approach. By introducing a second datum and constructing TEEI gathers that extend between two depth levels, the method adds a dimensional aspect to the imaging process, enabling complete enclosure of the target volume and retrieval of both reflection and transmission responses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal imaging framework that can retrieve multiple types of responses (reflection and transmission) from a single processing workflow. The TEEI gather construction methodology is multi-functional, capable of handling different target volume configurations and providing comprehensive characterization of subsurface structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3507624B1Methods for seismic imaging
Publication Date: 2023.02.01 SERVICES PETROLIERS SCHLUMBERGER SA
  • EP3507624B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3507624B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3507624B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to Target-Enclosing Extended Image deconvolution. In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides methods to construct, from surface seismic reflection data, extended image gathers, i.e. time- and space-varying fields corresponding to virtual sources and receivers inside a subsurface volume, to retrieve both local reflection and local transmission responses corresponding to two datums at depth: an original observation datum and a second datum completely enclosing a chosen target subsurface volume away from the original observation datum (e.g., enclosing a target reservoir at depth). The methods of the present disclosure retrieve responses that are devoid of interference due to structures that may exist both above and below the target volume, i.e., the retrieved responses correspond only to the properties of the medium within or inside of the target volume.