Two-Way Wave Equation Seismic Imaging for Complex Geology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seismic imaging techniques, such as ray tracing, struggle to accurately image subsurface geologic structures due to their complexity, particularly when faced with structures like gas deposits and salt domes, which attenuate and obscure seismic waves, leading to noisy and undecipherable data.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a two-way wave equation modeling process that constructs a geologic model, selects seismic source and receiver locations, and computes wave propagation to enhance imaging by minimizing the impact of obscuring structures, allowing for more accurate representation of seismic energy and attributes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional ray tracing techniques are used for seismic imaging, then the imaging process is simple and computationally efficient, but the accuracy and reliability of imaging complex geologic structures deteriorates due to severe errors in propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional ray tracing mechanical models with a two-way wave equation-based acoustic field simulation system. This substitution enables accurate representation of seismic wave propagation through complex geologic structures by solving the full wave equation, thereby resolving the contradiction between computational simplicity and imaging accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of seismic wave propagation modeling by transitioning from ray-based approximations to full wave equation formulations. This parameter change allows the system to accurately handle complex velocity contrasts and anisotropic media, improving imaging reliability while maintaining computational feasibility through optimized wave equation solvers.
2Reliability
If full wave equation modeling is used to improve imaging accuracy, then the representation of seismic energy is far more accurate, but computer resources and coding complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex wave equation modeling process into manageable components: forward wave propagation, backward wave propagation, and data comparison. This segmentation allows the system to achieve full wave equation accuracy while reducing computational complexity by processing the problem in discrete, optimized stages rather than as a monolithic system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data comparison and analysis module that bridges the wave equation modeling and final imaging interpretation. This intermediary layer processes the complex wave field data into actionable imaging results, reducing the direct computational burden on the final imaging system while maintaining high accuracy through the wave equation-based forward modeling.
3Ease of operation
If ray trace modeling is used, then the imaging process handles direct lines through homogenous media well, but it fails to handle compaction curves, anisotropy, and dispersion accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental propagation parameters from ray-based straight-line models to wave equation-based models that inherently accommodate curved compaction paths, anisotropic velocity distributions, and dispersion effects. This parameter transformation enables accurate representation of complex wave propagation while maintaining ease of operation through automated wave equation solvers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic wave field propagation that adapts to varying subsurface conditions in real-time, unlike static ray tracing models. The wave equation formulation naturally handles dynamic effects such as anisotropy and dispersion by solving for the complete wave field at each computational step, providing both operational ease and measurement precision for complex geologic structures.
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
This approach enables the creation of clearer, more accurate seismic images by identifying optimal source-receiver pairs and reducing noise, thereby improving the assessment of potential hydrocarbon deposits beneath complex geologic structures.
Implementation Method 1
computing a two-way wave modeling for the wavefield propagation from a selected source to the target
Implementation Method 2
computing a two-way wave equation propagation for energy propagation from the target to the receivers associated with the selected source
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to seismic imaging where complex geologies are likely to create data that is confusing or ambiguous for a conventional matrix of source points and receiver locations. With some understanding of the geological substructure, the source points and receiver locations that optimize the imaging may be found by using two-way wave equation propagation coupled with a quality geologic model. With this, the source points and receiver locations that optimize the imaging may be selected and used to better resolve the substructure and avoid the inclusion of data that obscures understanding of the substructure.