Abstract: The method of first arrival picking of seismic refraction data is embodied in software that uses the ?-p transform on energy-ratio seismic records. First, the seismic shots are gathered. Next, the energy ratio (ER) is computed, and then the ?-p transform of the energy ratio is computed. Using a binary mask, a corresponding first arrival energy is selected. The transform is combined with the binary mask and presented as input to an inverse ?-p transform. The inverse transform data is then thresholded, and indices of ER first arrivals are detected based on the thresholds. The software then creates a vector of indices or time samples of picks. This method can be used to better guide the subsequent careful picking of first arrivals. Moreover, the method automatically interpolates missing picks.

Abstract: The ultrasound imaging tool for rock cores includes an ultrasound generator that can be inserted at selected depths into a drilled bore in a geological core sample. An array of ultrasound receivers are placed completely around the outer surface of the core sample. The ultrasound generator produces the ultrasound waves at various depths inside the bore, and the data obtained by the ultrasound receivers generates a complete 3-D ultrasound image of the core sample.