Abstract: A desktop based projector screen having an inner concave display surface upon which a video image or a series of images is projected with a sense of realism comparable with natural viewing of three-dimensional physical reality. The viewing surface combines three concave sections which are derived from solid figures including a dome, cylinder and a plane.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for discovering hydrocarbon bearing formations yields a direct indication of hydrocarbon resulting from analyzing seismic amplitude data. The method uses an algorithm for determining a seismic attribute known as delta amplitude dip (DAD) in which each sample point of each seismic trace in a survey is analyzed to determine a planar dip associated with the reflection point and a normalized delta amplitude in the direction of dip. Displaying the DAD values in time slice or horizon slice format provides a direct indicator of hydrocarbons. The inventive method automatically analyzes each digitized data point in the survey by cross correlating the traces reflected from a three-by-three array of reflection points. This method involves cross correlation of eight traces that are reflected from the perimeter of the three-by-three array of reflection points with the single trace reflected from the central point in the array.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus is disclosed for automatically picking faults in a recorded 3D seismic trace data volume. The method employs test planes, which are mathematically inserted into the seismic data volume to approximate dip and azimuth of a potential fault plane surface. A large number of data points, which are selected points on the seismic traces, are defined within the seismic volume, such that each test plane positioned in the seismic volume contains data points corresponding to at least a significant portion of a trace. The method then determines a factor for each data point which is representative of the probability that the data point resides on a fault plane. This probability is based on planar discontinuity and average amplitude difference between corresponding traces in adjacent parallel test planes, and the method selects locations, in an x, y grid, of a strip of locations having high probability of residing on a fault surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting distribution of reservoir permeability or porosity and pseudo relative permeability using well data and 3-D seismic data are disclosed, where a preferred first step in the method models the reservoir property of interest to provide model logs which are expressible as continuous curves of a reservoir property as a function of depth. The next step selects individual data points on the continuous curves traversing a reservoir layer and determines permeable trends for a multitude of column-like subvolumes which each enclose a portion of the selected data points. The subvolumes are then divided into a desired number of horizontal slices, with each slice containing a number of the model data points. An average value for the property in each slice is calculated, and the average values are plotted versus depth for each subvolume, thus providing a derived curve of depth versus the reservoir property.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for predicting barriers to fluid flow in a subterranean reservoir using well data and 3-D seismic data are disclosed, where a preferred first step in the method models petrophysical properties of the reservoir to provide model logs which are expressible as continuous curves of a reservoir property as a function of depth. The next step selects individual data points on the continuous curves, which traverse a subterranean layer, and assigns a flow or nonflow state to each data point based on comparing a threshold value of a reservoir property with the value predicted by the data point. The layer is divided into a multitude of subvolumes each containing a single data point, and then a connectivity factor, which considers multiple flow paths around each data point, is calculated for each subvolume.

Abstract: A method of modeling subsurface reservoir conditions deals with non-uniqueness of seismic reflection signals with respect to reservoir conditions by proposing and then comparing both seismic and lithologic data for forward model sites to select the most likely model for each site. Forward modeling techniques are used to build a synthetic seismic trace catalog, which includes a range of corresponding pseudo-logs for reservoir characteristics that could reasonably exist within a defined region. Then each synthetic seismic trace in the catalog is compared against every real seismic trace, and a number (e.g., 10 to 50) of synthetic traces is selected for association with each real trace that best match the real trace.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining petrophysical properties associated with various lateral locations of a subterranean layer. The method employs velocity and density log data, corresponding to a preselected reference lateral location, in combination with seismic data to determine a range of values of at least one petrophysical property associated with a desired lateral location ("nonreference") offset from the reference lateral location.

Abstract: A method is provided by which the presence, if any, and location of a hydrocarbon reservoir or reservoirs adjacent to a subterranean surface can be determined based on DAD values which correspond to grid points of the surface. DAD values, specifically defined herein, relate to the change in seismic amplitude (Delta Amplitude) as divided by the Dip magnitude at each grid point. According to a preferred embodiment, colors are assigned to grid points based on the sign of the DAD values, and such assigned colors are plotted onto a depth/time contour map of the subterranean surface to result in a display which clearly indicates the location of any hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method for removing noise from seismic wiggle traces is provided. Data points from the seismic traces are selected for which amplitude and derivative values are determined. The derivative values are crossplotted as a function of the amplitude values. A rejection line is then selected on the crossplot wherein all data points which plot outside of the rejection line are treated as noise, such data points being assigned a new amplitude value to thereby remove the noise from the seismic traces.

Abstract: Data points for a sinusoidal waveform are assigned 2 bit values which indicate the state of the amplitude (positive or negative) and the slope of the sinusoidal signal at the particular data point (positive or negative). The 2 bit values for a plurality of sinusoidal waveforms are compared to determine the phase misalignment between the plurality of sinusoidal waveforms.