Corrected Local Traveltime Operators for Sparse Seismic Wavefield Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Field seismic data is often spatially sparse, leading to challenges in visualizing kinematic wavefronts and interpreting subsurface structures during geophysical exploration, which hampers decision-making in resource exploration.
Innovation Solution
The method involves estimating local traveltime operators, correcting them using statistical features, and reconstructing wavefronts with a weighted sum to form a clear wavefield image, utilizing non-linear beamforming solvers enhanced by genetic algorithms for improved computational efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If field seismic data is acquired with sparse receiver deployment, then acquisition cost and complexity are reduced, but visualization quality and interpretation accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and corrects only the erroneous local traveltime operators from the set of estimated operators using statistical features, rather than processing all operators uniformly. This selective correction approach maintains efficiency while improving wavefront reconstruction quality from sparse data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where statistical features of traveltime characteristics are continuously monitored and used to correct local traveltime operators. The correction process uses feedback from adjacent sample points to iteratively improve the accuracy of wavefront reconstruction, enabling high-definition visualization despite sparse receiver deployment.
2Measurement precision
If local traveltime operators are corrected using statistical features, then wavefront reconstruction accuracy is improved, but computational time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial correction by focusing computational resources only on correcting local traveltime operators that exhibit errors based on statistical analysis, rather than uniformly processing all operators. This selective approach reduces overall computational time while maintaining necessary accuracy for wavefront reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by using statistical features of traveltime characteristics to identify and correct erroneous operators. This parameter-based correction approach efficiently targets only the necessary corrections without exhaustive processing of all data points.
3Productivity
If non-linear beamforming solvers are enhanced with genetic algorithms, then extremum searching efficiency is improved, but algorithm complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the optimization process by combining genetic algorithms for global search with non-linear beamforming solvers for local refinement. This segmentation allows the genetic algorithm to efficiently locate the extremum region while the beamforming solver provides precise convergence, improving overall searching efficiency despite increased algorithmic complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes: accessing a set of seismic data comprising a plurality of data traces received at the receivers in response to an acoustic wave being launched into a subterranean region of interest at the geophysical exploration site; estimating local traveltime operators, each associated with a sample point on the plurality of data traces; correcting at least one local traveltime operator based on, at least in part, statistical features of other local traveltime operators associated with sample points that are adjacent to the sample point associated with the at least one local traveltime operator; reconstructing a stack of wavefronts described by the at least one corrected local traveltime operator; and performing a weighted sum of the reconstructed stack of wavefronts so that an image of a wavefield in the subterranean region of interest is formed and visualized with sufficient clarity to facilitate decision making at the geophysical exploration site.