Abstract: A system for predicting hydrocarbon production from a subterranean region of interest using reflection seismic data. The system sets a drainage area around reference traces and defines drainage pathways extending outwardly from the reference trace towards the perimeter of the drainage area. A mathematical combination of the trace-to-trace coherence factors and reservoir quality attributes along each drainage pathway is calculated for each reference trace, thereby providing an indication of both initial and sustained hydrocarbon production from that location.

Abstract: Waveform data, such as reflection seismic data, is filtered by concurrently analyzing various phase angles of the data. The various phase angles of the data are compared to phase rotated background trends and the phase angle producing the maximum deviation from the equivalent background trend is selected as the optimum phase angle for predictive analysis or exclusion filtering.

Abstract: A system for filtering elevation-sensitive data. The system generates coincident contour and attribute maps of a physical structure. A filter band that is limited to a certain range of contour values is used to filter the attribute values that are output to a CBA attribute map. The filter band applied to the data is defined between upper and lower boundaries, with each boundary having a substantially constant contour value. Thus, each data point has a uniquely-shaped a real filter that is at least partly defined by the filter band.

Abstract: A system for filtering elevation-sensitive data. The system generates coincident contour and attribute maps of a physical structure. A filter band that is limited to a certain range of contour values is used to filter the attribute values that are output to a CBA attribute map.

Abstract: A system for predicting hydrocarbon production from a subterranean region of interest using reflection seismic data. The system sets a drainage area around reference traces and defines drainage pathways extending outwardly from the reference trace towards the perimeter of the drainage area. A mathematical combination of the trace-to-trace coherence factors and reservoir quality attributes along each drainage pathway is calculated for each reference trace, thereby providing an indication of both initial and sustained hydrocarbon production from that location.

Abstract: An enlarged computer graphic image of borehole data is displayed on a concave three-dimensional surface, preferably a semi-cylindrical shape. Thus providing an enlarged image of a borehole surface where the data is spatially correct in three-dimensions, and which increases the ease with which interpreters can locate geological features such as surfaces, faults, and fractures.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of predicting rock properties of a subsurface formation using reflection seismic data and well log data. Synthetic seismic data is generated from the well log data and quantized into discrete synthetic data subcells based on rock property-predictive seismic attributes of the synthetic seismic data. The reflection seismic data is also quantized into discrete reflection data subcells based on the same seismic attributes used to quantize the synthetic seismic data. Each reflection data subcell is correlated with a corresponding synthetic data subcell based on the seismic attributes of the reflection and synthetic seismic data. A statistical distribution of well log properties associated with the synthetic seismic data subcells is then assigned to corresponding reflection data subcells, which can be viewed as 2D seismic lines, 3D seismic volumes, or single data point histograms.

Abstract: A video projection system employing a concave video screen which provides for enhanced depth cueing. A method of designing a variety of shapes of video screen surfaces by varying certain parameters of a common master equation. Video screen surface shapes providing optimum viewing for specific applications.

Abstract: A video projection system employing a concave video screen which provides for enhanced depth cueing. A method of designing a variety of shapes of video screen surfaces by varying certain parameters of a common master equation. Video screen surface shapes providing optimum viewing for specific applications.

Abstract: A self-illuminating video screen system employing a concave display surface which provides for enhanced depth cueing. A method of designing a variety of shapes of self-illuminating video screen display surfaces by varying certain parameters of a common master equation. Self-illuminating video screen systems having display surface shapes providing optimum viewing for specific applications.

Abstract: A method for recognizing and comparing features of attribute data expressed in a 3D data survey involves: extracting, mapping, color coding and displaying 3D data for at least one attribute. Preferably, the data is based on tomographic paths. The tomographic paths are defined within a subvolume of instantaneous attribute data having the shape of a sphere. This is accomplished by extracting the subvolume of attribute data having a desired shape, defining multiple tomographic paths extending from a point within the subvolume to its bounding surface, combining instantaneous attribute values encountered along each of the tomographic paths to determine multiple aggregate values, mapping the thus determined aggregate attribute values on the surface of the sphere using a color code, and displaying the color coded sphere. The attribute maps are correlated with preexisting geological or stratographic templates to identify features.

Abstract: An enlarged computer graphic image of borehole data is displayed on a concave three-dimensional surface, preferably a semi-cylindrical shape. Thus providing an enlarged image of a borehole surface where the data is spatially correct in three-dimensions, and which increases the ease with which interpreters can locate geological features such as surfaces, faults, and fractures.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there is disclosed herein a method of seismic interpretation that is designed to improve the quality and speed with which an explorationist can pick and interpret a seismic section or volume. The instant invention utilizes unseeded picking to create a collection of patches or areas of similar-character reflector picks. The method is unsupervised initially and builds an output database that preferably contains the time and amplitude of each “assigned” event, an assigned event being a seismic reflection that is determined to be similar in some sense to its neighboring traces. Then, during subsequent interpretation the explorationist quickly builds an interpretation by utilizing and selecting from the pre-assembled collections of similar traces stored in the database.

Abstract: An enlarged computer graphic image of seismic data is displayed on a concave three-dimensional surface having a shape corresponding to the shape of selected data extracted from a three-dimensional seismic volume. Thus providing an enlarged image of a seismic surface where the data is spatially correct in three-dimensions, and which increases the ease with which interpreters can locate geological features such as horizons, faults, and channels. An auxiliary paddle screen is provided to display an interactive video image for exploring the volume within the hybrid screen.

Abstract: A method for suppressing noise in a common depth point gather of seismic data traces is disclosed in which noisy data traces are detected and muted by a sequence of data processing steps prior to making a final stack of the data traces.

Abstract: An improved method for recognizing and comparing features of attribute data expressed in a 3D data survey involves: extracting, mapping, color coding and displaying 3D data for at least one attribute. Preferably, the data is based on tomographic paths. The tomographic paths are defined within a subvolume of instantaneous attribute data having the shape of a sphere or other solid figure. This is accomplished by extracting the subvolume of attribute data having a desired shape, defining multiple tomographic paths extending from a point within the subvolume to its bounding surface, combining instantaneous attribute values encountered along each of the tomographic paths to determine multiple aggregate values, mapping the thus determined aggregate attribute values on the surface of the sphere using a color code, and displaying the color coded sphere. The attribute maps are correlated with preexisting geological or stratographic templates to identify features.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for processing seismic trace data to distinguish Class II sand formations sandwiched between low and high porosity layers, where the intermediate sand layer causes a polarity reversal with offset in seismic reflections. A velocity analysis of data from a vertical seismic section is generated to include coherency contours corresponding to polarity reversals in the seismic traces by using an extended crosscorrelation algorithm for multi-trace coherency. The velocity analysis thus indicates a stacking velocity that will maximize coherency of the seismic traces exhibiting the polarity reversal.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for mapping seismic attributes derived from analysis of isochron measurements is disclosed. According to the disclosed method planar surfaces, which model the upper and lower surface of a subterranean layer, are numerically inserted in a seismic data volume with the edges of the planar surfaces connecting reflection events of a three-by-three array of seismic traces. Using the model surfaces, isochron attributes are calculated including the amount of isochron thickening or thinning in the direction of dip, and the azimuth of maximum thickness change. The thus calculated attributes are written to data cubes, which can be displayed in a variety of ways.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for analyzing seismic data to discover a real trends of multi-attributes in a seismic data volume is disclosed. According to the disclosed method and apparatus the full waveforms of multiple traces are compared in a zone that extends above and below an interpreted horizon, and the comparisons are made using a correlation algorithm that considers both shape and absolute amplitude of the waveforms being compared. Based on the multiple comparisons, traces are classified according to waveform shape such that maps of common waveform classes show areas of similar lithology and/or hydrocarbon effects.

Abstract: An enlarged computer graphic image of seismic data is displayed on a concave three-dimensional surface having a shape corresponding to the shape of selected data extracted from a three-dimensional seismic volume. Thus providing an enlarged image of a seismic surface where the data is spatially correct in three-dimensions, and which increases the ease with which interpreters can locate geological features such as horizons, faults, and channels.