Abstract: This invention discloses a method for rapid visual exploration of a volume of seismic data which does not require horizon picking or editing and yet displays all horizons with their stratigraphic features and lithologic variations in 3-D motion on a color graphics workstation. Seismic data is processed to generate multiple attributes at each event, location of a specified phase of the seismic trace, within the 3-D survey volume. Subsets of multiple attributes are interactively selected, thresholded and combined with one out of a suite of mathematical operators into a scalar function which is mapped onto a user selected color spectrum. Three dimensional features, where geological structure and stratigraphic compartments, including those that cannot be detected with conventional techniques, automatically emerge in the 3-D volume as the composition of attributes in the subset, threshold limits of attributes or the mathematical form of operator is interactively varied.

Abstract: An inventive method for simultaneously collecting depth-of-focus vertical seismic profiling (VSP) data and three-dimensional surface seismic data is disclosed. At least one seismic sensor is deployed at a predetermined depth of a borehole and raised in increments determined by the survey. A seismic source and a plurality of seismic sensor may be deployed at the surface along a partial arc offset from the top of the borehole by a distance inversely proportional to the depth of the sensor in the borehole. The seismic source generates a seismic signal at a plurality of points in a circular path around the borehole. Once a circle has been completed, the borehole sensor is raised, and the seismic signal generator and sensors are moved to the next largest circular path and the process is repeated. The seismic signals are simultaneously recorded by the borehole sensor and the sensors deployed in the arcuate path.

Abstract: In a VSP survey, the subsurface coverage of the bounce points of primary reflections is limited to one-half the offset between a borehole and a seismic-source point. The subsurface coverage may be extended by use of selected multiply-reflected wavefield arrivals.