Wavefield Separation for Near-Continuous Seismic Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wavefield separation techniques in marine seismic surveys are inadequate for near-continuous data recording, as they assume stationary receivers, whereas near-continuous measurements involve significant receiver movement, leading to contaminated seismic data with ghost effects.
Innovation Solution
The method corrects for receiver motion by applying distance-correction operators to transform near-continuous wavefields into approximately stationary-receiver locations, allowing for effective wavefield separation and removal of ghost effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional wavefield separation techniques are used, then the processing method is simple, but the seismic data is contaminated with ghost effects due to receiver movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies distance-correction operators to the near-continuous wavefield data before performing wavefield separation. This preliminary correction accounts for receiver motion during acquisition, transforming the moving-receiver data into an equivalent stationary-receiver dataset. By performing this correction in advance, the subsequent wavefield separation can proceed using conventional methods while achieving ghost effect removal, thus resolving the contradiction between processing simplicity and data quality.
2Productivity
If near-continuous recording is performed with moving receivers, then productivity increases, but measurement precision deteriorates due to receiver motion contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the measurement conditions by applying distance-correction operators that mathematically adjust the wavefield data based on receiver position changes. This parameter transformation converts data acquired under moving-receiver conditions into an equivalent stationary-receiver dataset, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving the productivity benefits of near-continuous recording with moving receivers.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If wavefield separation is applied to near-continuous data, then ghost effects are reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional correction operators
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the need for complex hardware solutions (such as stationary receiver deployments or complex multi-sensor systems) with a mathematical processing approach. By using distance-correction operators applied during data processing, the system achieves ghost effect removal without requiring additional physical equipment or complex hardware modifications, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining effectiveness.
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 generation of high-resolution seismic images by isolating up-going wavefields, reducing ghost effects and improving signal penetration into subterranean formations.
Implementation Method 1
At interfaces between different types of rock or sediment of the subterranean formation, a portion of the acoustic signal energy may be refracted, a portion may be transmitted, and a portion may be reflected back toward the formation surface and into the body of water
Implementation Method 2
At interfaces between different types of rock or sediment of the subterranean formation, a portion of the acoustic signal energy may be refracted
Implementation Method 3
the surface of the water acts as a nearly perfect acoustic reflector. As a result, the receivers also detect a down-going wavefield created by reflection of the up-going wavefield from the water surface
Data Source
AI summary
Wavefield separation methods and systems that adjust near-continuous pressure and particle motion wavefields based on distance moved along a vessel track by the sensors when the wavefields were measured are disclosed. Methods and systems correct for the motion of the receivers in towed streamer seismic data in order to obtain a wavefield with approximately stationary-receiver locations. Wavefield separation may then be applied to the wavefield with approximately stationary-receiver locations.