Velocity Cube Correction for Seismic Depth Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current layer cake velocity models for seismic depth modeling in petroleum exploration lack the accuracy to reconcile entire velocity cubes with the exactness of well marker data, leading to inaccuracies in modeling underground surfaces and volumes.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that corrects velocity cubes by updating average velocity surfaces and calculating correction factor surfaces to align depth-converted time horizons with known well markers, using a velocity field correction engine to improve the accuracy of the velocity model by estimating average velocities in cells surrounding well markers and updating the average velocity cube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a layer cake velocity model is used for seismic depth modeling, then the entire velocity cube can be updated efficiently, but the accuracy of depth-converted horizons cannot be reconciled with well marker data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the velocity model correction process into multiple stages: first extracting and correcting average velocity surfaces at time horizons, then extracting and correcting average velocities at well markers, and finally combining these corrections to update the entire velocity cube. This segmentation allows efficient processing while maintaining accuracy at critical data points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different correction methods to different parts of the velocity model based on their specific requirements. Well marker locations receive exact correction to ensure accuracy, while the surrounding velocity cube is updated using calculated correction factors that maintain consistency. This local quality approach ensures high precision where needed without sacrificing overall efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If well marker data is used to correct velocity models, then accuracy at specific depth points is improved, but the complexity of the correction process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by first extracting average velocity surfaces at time horizons and calculating correction factors before applying the final correction to the velocity cube. This preliminary processing organizes the complex correction process into manageable steps, reducing overall complexity while maintaining precision at well marker locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces correction factor surfaces as intermediary elements that mediate between the well marker data and the velocity cube. These correction factors are calculated from the difference between observed well marker depths and predicted depths, then applied to update the velocity cube. This intermediary approach simplifies the complex correction process by breaking it down into calculable components.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods perform correction of velocity cubes for seismic depth modeling. An example system receives a velocity model defined in the time domain for seismic modeling of a subsurface earth volume and receives well depth data associated with the subsurface earth volume. The system updates an average velocity cube associated with the velocity model to correct depth-converted time horizons to accord with known well markers, thereby increasing the accuracy and correctness of the velocity model.