Wavefield Decomposition for High-Resolution Seismic Diffraction Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic data processing methods for generating diffraction images are limited by high computational costs, making wave-equation-based techniques impractical for 3D seismic imaging, which is essential for efficient oil and gas exploration.
Innovation Solution
The approach decomposes source and receiver wavefields into opposite propagating directions, generating two seismic images that are then multiplied to produce a diffraction image, effectively suppressing reflectors and enhancing diffractors, thereby reducing computational costs and enabling high-resolution diffraction imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If wave-equation-based techniques are used for generating diffraction images, then image resolution is improved, but computational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wavefield is decomposed into upgoing and downgoing components through directional filtering, separating the imaging process into distinct directional passes. This segmentation allows each component to be processed independently and combined to form the final diffraction image, reducing overall computational burden while maintaining high resolution
Solution Approach 2:
The method extracts only the diffractor-related information by multiplying the upgoing and downgoing wavefield images. This extraction process removes reflector components and other unwanted signals, isolating the diffraction events that contain the target subsurface information at lower computational cost
2Power
If conventional seismic imaging methods are used, then computational cost is reduced, but diffraction image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The method changes the imaging parameter from conventional reflection imaging to diffraction-specific imaging by using the product of upgoing and downgoing wavefields. This parameter change enables the imaging process to selectively enhance diffractors while suppressing reflectors, improving diffraction image quality without proportionally increasing computational cost
3Measurement precision
If full 3D seismic imaging is performed, then exploration accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The 3D seismic imaging process is segmented into separate directional passes (upgoing and downgoing wavefields). Each pass processes specific directional information independently, allowing for optimized computation and reducing overall processing time while maintaining accurate 3D diffraction imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The method extracts only the essential diffraction information needed for exploration accuracy by multiplying the directional wavefield components. This extraction eliminates redundant computational steps associated with full conventional imaging while preserving the critical diffraction signals required for accurate hydrocarbon exploration
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating diffraction images based on wave equations includes generating a source wavefield and a receiver wavefield. Based on the source wavefield, a first source wavefield propagating in a first direction and a second source wavefield propagating in a second direction are generated. Based on the receiver wavefield, a first receiver wavefield propagating in the first direction and a second receiver wavefield propagating in the second direction are generated. A first seismic image is generated based on the first source wavefield and the first receiver wavefield. A second seismic image is generated based on the second source wavefield and the second receiver wavefield. A final seismic image is generated based on the first seismic image and the second seismic image.