Time-Preserving Tomography for Seismic Model Alteration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subsurface geological models derived from seismic imaging are non-unique due to limitations in data acquisition, such as small offset distances and limited azimuth coverage, leading to complications in accurately altering these models with high computational demands and extensive human involvement.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of time-preserving tomography, which involves storing an initial set of parameter values representing a seismic data model and generating an altered model by modifying these values in a way that maintains the total traveltime along ray pairs, using a template matrix and perturbation vector to efficiently simulate and predict changes in model parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional methods are used to alter subsurface geological models, then model accuracy can be maintained, but computational complexity and time requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-calculates and stores traveltime derivatives with respect to model parameters before alteration is needed. This preliminary computation of sensitivity information allows rapid evaluation of model alterations without repeating full traveltime calculations, resolving the contradiction between maintaining accuracy and reducing computational time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the complex model alteration process into independent components: pre-computed traveltime derivatives, parameter perturbation vectors, and final model updates. This segmentation allows efficient computation by reusing pre-calculated derivative information across multiple parameter alterations, reducing overall computational time while preserving accuracy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive model alteration is performed to explore different geological scenarios, then interpretative flexibility improves, but computational resources and user involvement requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables flexible exploration of geological scenarios by allowing independent perturbation of multiple model parameters (velocity, density, anisotropy) using pre-computed derivatives. Users can efficiently test different geological hypotheses by modifying parameter values without triggering full re-computations, thus improving interpretative flexibility while managing computational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parameter values are altered simultaneously to create new models, then model diversity increases, but maintaining traveltime consistency becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses pre-computed traveltime derivatives as feedback mechanisms to guide parameter alterations. When multiple parameters are perturbed simultaneously, the stored derivative information provides feedback on how each parameter change affects traveltime, enabling automated adjustment of parameter values to maintain traveltime consistency across the model while still achieving diverse geological scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for modeling seismic data using time preserving tomography including storing an initial set of parameter values representing an initial seismic data model. The initial seismic model may correspond to at least two or more ray pairs. Each ray pair may have a traveltime. An altered model may be generated by altering two or more parameter values in the initial set of parameter values for each of two or more ray pairs in the initial model. Altering one parameter value without altering the remaining of the two or more parameter values may correspond to a change in the traveltime of each of the ray pairs, while altering the two or more parameter values in combination typically corresponds to no net change in the traveltime of each of the ray pairs.