Abstract: A computing device, computing medium and method for generating an image of a tilted orthorhombic medium. The method includes receiving seismic data related to the tilted orthorhombic medium; calculating a wave propagation with a processing device by applying a second-order equation for reverse time migration to the seismic data to generate a tilted orthorhombic wave propagation; and generating the image of the tilted orthorhombic medium based on the tilted orthorhombic wave propagation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for acquiring and processing electromagnetic data in subsurface formations. In one example, a system includes an electromagnetic source, a plurality of electromagnetic receivers, and an electromagnetic data processor. The electromagnetic source is configured to generate an electromagnetic pulse that induces electromagnetic energy in subsurface formations. The electromagnetic receivers are configured to detect the electromagnetic energy reflected by the subsurface formations, and to output signals corresponding to detected electromagnetic energy reflected by the subsurface formations. The electromagnetic data processor configured to process, based on differences in travel times of the electromagnetic energy between the subsurface formations and the electromagnetic receivers, the signals output by the electromagnetic receivers.

Abstract: A method for use in surveying a subsurface region beneath a body of water by detecting S waves propagating through the subsurface region. The method comprises using a first sensor configuration to detect mixed S and P waves on or in the subsurface region, using a second sensor configuration located on or in relatively close proximity to the subsurface region to detect P waves in the water, and using the P waves detected in the water to compensate the detected mixed S and P waves, and thereby attenuate the effects of P waves in the mixed S and P waves.

Abstract: Embodiments of using known source locations in seismic data processing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of locating a seismic event includes receiving location information for a plurality of known source events proximate the seismic event, and determining an estimated location of the seismic event using a relative locator constrained by the location information for the plurality of known source events.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing seismic data for improving an image of a surveyed subsurface. The method includes receiving seismic data associated with the surveyed subsurface; applying a multi-layer non-linear slope tomography algorithm to iteratively calculate a new boundary of a first layer of the surveyed subsurface and to calculate a velocity attribute of a second layer of the surveyed subsurface; and generating an improved image of the surveyed subsurface based on the new boundary of the first layer and the velocity attribute of the second layer.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method including determining a spatial region for analysis and selecting a segment of time for analysis, analyzing and correcting a plurality of traces from a plurality of receivers using an iterative non-linear inversion algorithm, wherein each iteration of the non-linear algorithm corrects the plurality of traces using at least one set of parameters defining a microseismic event, determining whether a final stack value of the plurality of traces corrected based on the at least one set of parameters of a final iteration of the iterative non-linear inversion algorithm exceeds a predetermined threshold and upon a determination that the final stack value exceeds the predetermined threshold, detecting a microseismic event defined by the at least one set of parameters of final iteration. The present disclosure also includes associated systems and computer-readable media.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method monitoring changes in saturation of a subsurface volume. The method comprises: obtaining observed data of saturation behavior from the subsurface volume over time; using one or more models, obtaining simulated data of saturation behavior from the subsurface volume over time; and transforming each of the observed data and simulated data.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to methods for processing seismic data, including estimating a spectral noise power of multi-measurement seismic data received from a multi-dimensional seismic sensor array having multiple seismic sensors. The methods may include receiving a shot record of multi-measurement seismic data in time-domain, partitioning the shot record into overlapping time-space windows, and computing a frequency-domain spectrum for each time-space window. The methods may include computing a signal presence probability for each time-space window using the frequency-domain spectrum and prior probabilities of signal presence and absence for each time-space window.

Abstract: Method for generating a 3D grid, and for defining a material property model on the grid, to use, for example, in a reservoir simulator. A mapping is defined (61,71) to a design space in which the material property is described as a piecewise smooth implicit or explicit function in three dimensions. Grid geometry is constructed only in the physical space of the model (62-65, 73-76), and no grid is required in the design space. The material property, for example permeability, is sampled in the design space (66,77) to populate the cells in the grid constructed in the physical domain. Prismatic grid cells may be truncated based on faults and horizons (65), or maybe conformed to fault surfaces using a 3D parameterization of the model (76). Only forward mapping, i.e. from the physical domain to the design space, is required.

Abstract: A system for surveying the structure beneath the seabed, comprising: a survey vessel; a streamer comprising a cable, a first set of N1 sensor groups positioned at a first end portion of the cable, the sensor groups of the first set being spaced from each other by a group interval, and a second set of N2 sensor groups positioned at a second end portion of the cable, the sensor groups of the second set being spaced from each other by the group interval; a sound source; wherein, when the system is in use, the survey vessel travels at a predetermined speed, towing the streamer and the sound source such that the sound source is positioned adjacent an intermediate portion of the cable between the first and second end portions of the cable; the sound source sends acoustic pulses at a predetermined period between pulses towards the seabed such that reflections are produced towards both the first set of sensor groups and the second set of sensor groups; and the speed of the survey vessel and the predetermined period o

Abstract: A method can include receiving input that specifies a type of partitionable pre-stack seismic data for a geologic environment and corresponding partitions; receiving an elastic model parameterized via elastic properties; generating synthetic seismic data for at least a portion of the geologic environment based at least in part on point spread functions and the elastic model; for the partitions, comparing the pre-stack seismic data and the generated synthetic seismic data; based at least in part on the comparing, updating the elastic model; and outputting values for at least one of the elastic properties.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and delivering personalized and relevant notifications to a user are provided. According to certain aspects, a mobile device may receive activity data from a user of the mobile device. The mobile device may identify a set of real-time sensor data relevant to the activity data. The mobile device may generate a notification based on the activity data and the set of real-time sensor data. The mobile device may identify a set of user profile data relevant to the activity data and the set of real-time sensor data, and further identify a set of static data relevant to the set of user profile data. Based on the relevant data, the mobile device may modify the notification. Finally, the mobile device may deliver the notification to the user via a user interface.

Abstract: A technique includes receiving seismic data acquired by an array of seismic sensors during a towed marine survey of a subsurface and performing migration velocity analysis to determine a background velocity model of the subsurface based at least in part on particle motion derived from the seismic data.

Abstract: Improving the knowledge about how hydraulic fracture networks are generated in subsurface shale volumes in unconventional wellbores may be accomplished with various configurations of at least one diagnostic lateral wellbore using at least one diagnostic device disposed in the diagnostic lateral wellbore. By extending diagnostic lateral wellbores from adjacent lateral wellbores and/or separately drilling diagnostic lateral wellbores, and analyzing signals received by diagnostic devices placed in the diagnostic lateral wellbores, knowledge about fracture networks, the parameters that control fracture geometry and reservoir production and how reservoirs react to refracturing techniques may be greatly improved. Additionally, such diagnostic lateral wellbores can provide quicker location of sweet-spot horizons in reservoirs.

Abstract: Method and system are described for modeling one or more geophysical properties of a subsurface volume. The method includes computing vector volumes from geophysical data to enhance subsurface features, where the vectors may be estimated by steps, including the following. Samples are extracted from a neighborhood around a selected data location (121). Coordinates are assigned to each sample (122). A weight is assigned to each sample as a function of the sample value (123). The sample coordinates and weights are used to fit a polynomial (124). A new value is then determined for the data location based on the polynomial fit, e.g. from the slope (125).

Abstract: Methods of analyzing and optimizing a seismic survey design are described. Specifically, the sampling quality is analyzed as opposed to the overall quality of the whole survey. This allows for analysis of the impact of the offsets, obstacles, and other aspects of the survey on the sampling quality, which will improve the ability to compress the resulting data and minimize acquisition footprints.

Abstract: A method is described in which a seismic data set of a geological survey is provided. A geological discontinuity in the seismic data set is identified. A first parameterization of at least a portion of a first side of the geological discontinuity is identified. A second parameterization of at least a portion of a second side of the geological discontinuity is identified. A plurality of isolines of properties of the first and second parameterizations is determined. A surface of the geological discontinuity is divided according to the isolines. The divided surfaces of the geological discontinuity are mapped.

Abstract: A method for correcting a fracture model of a reservoir includes receiving a seismic signal from seismic events due to a plurality of stimulated reservoir stages to provide detected seismic event information and estimating a number of undetected seismic events and a magnitude for each of the undetected seismic events to provide undetected seismic event information for each stage. The detected seismic event information and the undetected seismic event information provide corrected seismic event information for each stage. The method further includes calculating a scaling factor for each stage using a scalar property of the corresponding stage and a reference stage scalar property, applying the scaling factor for each stage to the corrected seismic event information to provide scaled seismic event information for each stage, and correcting the fracture model with the scaled seismic event information for each stage to provide a corrected fracture model.

Abstract: Method for correcting seismic simulations, RTM, and FWI for temporal dispersion due to temporal finite difference methods in which time derivatives are approximated to a specified order of approximation. Computer-simulated seismic data (51) are transformed from time domain to frequency domain (52), and then resampled using a mapping relationship that maps, in the frequency domain, to a frequency at which the time derivative exhibits no temporal dispersion (53), or to a frequency at which the time derivative exhibits a specified different order of temporal dispersion. Alternatively, measured seismic data from a field survey (61) may have temporal dispersion of a given order introduced, by a similar technique, to match the order of approximation used to generate simulated data which are to be compared to the measured data.

Abstract: Described is a system for library-based spectral demixing. The system simultaneously separates and identifies spectral elements in a set of noisy, cluttered spectral elements using Sparse Representation-based Classification (SRC) by modeling the set of noisy, cluttered spectral elements. The spectral library models each spectral element in the set of noisy, cluttered spectral elements, each spectral element having a corresponding wavenumber measurement. Wavenumber measurements are classified, resulting in salient wavenumber measurements. Target spectral elements representing a target of interest are identified in the set of noisy, cluttered spectral elements using the salient wavenumber measurements.

Abstract: The presently disclosed seismic acquisition technique employs a receiver array and a processing methodology that are designed to attenuate the naturally occurring seismic background noise recorded along with the seismic data during the acquisition. The approach leverages the knowledge that naturally occurring seismic background noise moves with a slower phase velocity than the seismic signals used for imaging and inversion and, in some embodiments, may arrive from particular preferred directions. The disclosed technique comprises two steps: 1) determining from the naturally occurring seismic background noise in the preliminary seismic data a range of phase velocities and amplitudes that contain primarily noise and the degree to which that noise needs to be attenuated, and 2) designing an acquisition and processing method to attenuate that noise relative to the desired signal.

Abstract: A signal processing device includes a propagation speed calculating means for calculating strength and a direction of vibration in an underground structure region using a calculation model including data of a vibration propagation speed; a simulated propagation speed calculating means for inputting seismic source information to a calculation model and calculating the strength and the direction of the vibration in the underground structure region using the calculation model; and an update amount calculating means for calculating an update amount to update the calculation model, on the basis of propagation speed distribution information and simulated propagation speed distribution information.

Abstract: Method for reducing artifacts in a subsurface physical properties model (120) inferred by iterative inversion (140) of geophysical data (130), wherein the artifacts are associated with some approximation (110) made during the iterative inversion. In the method, some aspect of the approximation is changed (160) as the inversion is iterated such that the artifacts do not increase by coherent addition.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for implementing a finite difference time domain modeling with multiple APCs are disclosed herein. The disclosed methods and systems overcome the memory capacity limitation of APCs by having each APC perform multiple timesteps on a small piece of the computational domain or data volume in a APC queued manner. The cost of transferring data between host and compute accelerator can then be amortized over multiple timesteps, greatly reducing the amount of PCI bandwidth required to sustain high propagation speeds. The APC queued nature of the algorithm achieves linear scaling of PCI throughput with increasing number of APCs, allowing the algorithm to scale up to many dozens of APCs in some embodiments.

Abstract: At least some of the example embodiments are methods including: performing Normal MoveOut (NMO) correction on a first Common Depth Point (CDP) gather, the NMO correction based on a reference velocity of sound in water, the NMO correction creates first NMO data with a plurality of traces; selecting a first estimated velocity that makes travel time represented in the traces substantially the same; calculating a zero-offset time shift that represents a difference in travel time as between the reference velocity and the first estimated velocity at a zero-offset trace; performing NMO correction on the first CDP gather based on a final estimated velocity to create second NMO data; adding the zero-offset time shift to each trace of the second NMO data; and then performing reverse NMO correction on the second NMO data to create corrected data.

Abstract: A technique for use in geophysical surveying includes imparting a plurality of humming seismic signals and a plurality of swept seismic signals into a geological formation. The technique also includes receiving returned seismic energy of the plurality of humming seismic signals and the plurality of swept seismic signals after interacting with the geological formation and recording the returned seismic energy.

Abstract: Method for building a subsurface model of velocity or other elastic property from seismic reflection data using tomography. The method uses velocity scans to pick a focusing velocity model at each image point (40). The focusing velocities are used to pick depth errors from tables (60) generated using a tomographic inversion matrix (30) and a suite of different velocity models (10). The depth errors are then reconstructed at each image point from the velocity scans based on the difference between the base velocity model and the most coherent velocity from the scan (70). The reconstructed depth errors are used to compute the velocity model update (80).

Abstract: An electret type vibration detection system has a vibration-powered generator that performs vibration-induced power generation by displacing on a basis of external vibration an electret group formed of a plurality of electrets and an electrode group having a plurality of electrode pairs in a relative movement direction to output a vibration-induced voltage between electrodes of the electrode pair, and a transfer function memory section that stores transfer function information that defines a correlation between a vibration velocity of the external vibration and an output power voltage of the vibration-powered generator in a range of a predetermined frequency included in the external vibration, wherein the transfer function information contains a transfer coefficient set according to each of a plurality of frequencies belonging to the predetermined frequency range to place the vibration velocity of the external vibration and the output power voltage of the vibration-powered generator in a predetermined proport

Abstract: A method for locating a microseismic event in a subsurface formation, in some embodiments, comprises: receiving a microseismic signal at a detector; obtaining a velocity model representative of the subsurface formation, the velocity model comprising multiple velocity layers; estimating, for each of the multiple velocity layers in the subsurface formation, a microseismic event location and a microseismic event origin time; and selecting one of the estimated locations and times using a parameter of the microseismic signal received at the detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a reservoir simulation are based on data from an unstructured grid using a structured grid reservoir simulator. Exemplary methods comprise obtaining an unstructured grid reservoir model comprising a reservoir model discretized on an unstructured grid. A virtual structured grid is defined for the unstructured grid reservoir model. The unstructured grid is aligned with the virtual structured grid by adding cells to the unstructured grid to make the unstructured grid and virtual structured grid have the same number of cells. The virtual structured grid may be represented in the unstructured grid. Structured grid reservoir simulator input data comprising reservoir model data assigned to the virtual structured grid is prepared based on reservoir model data in the unstructured grid model. A structured grid reservoir simulation is performed using the structured grid reservoir simulator input data to produce a reservoir simulation.

Abstract: A method for determining a quality control quantity corresponding to energy provided by a seismic source and related devices are provided. The method includes determining an envelope of a pilot signal associated with the seismic source; measuring a source signal of the energy provided by the seismic source; normalizing the pilot signal and the source signal using the determined envelope; and determining, in a processor, the quality control quantity using the normalized pilot signal and the normalized source signal. A control mechanism configured to implement the method includes a storage device holding data of a pilot signal associated with the seismic source; and a processor connected to the storage device and configured to carry out the method steps. A computer-readable medium having instructions to carry out steps of the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for estimating a displacement of a fluid-to-hydrocarbon interface in a reservoir in the earth includes: disposing an electrode in an injector borehole that is configured to inject a fluid into the reservoir; energizing the electrode with a voltage source to apply a voltage to the reservoir; disposing an electric field sensor in the injector borehole; disposing a gravity sensor in at least one of the injector borehole and a producer borehole that is offset a distance L from the injector borehole; injecting fluid into the reservoir; measuring a magnitude of a time-varying electric field due to the injecting using the electric field sensor to provide electric field measurements; measuring a magnitude of a time-varying gravitational field due to the injecting using the gravity sensor to provide gravitational field measurements; and estimating the displacement using the electric field measurements and the gravitational field measurements.

Abstract: A method for determining spatial distribution of proppant incudes using signals detected by seismic sensors disposed proximate a formation treated by pumping fracturing fluid containing the proppant. Origin time and spatial position of seismic events induced by pumping the fracturing fluid are determined. Volume and orientation of at least one fracture in the subsurface formation associated with each induced seismic event are determined. Spatial distribution of a volume of the pumped fracturing fluid is determined using the volume and orientation of each fracture. A length of ellipsoidal axes is selected using a surface defined by a selected fractional amount of the total volume of frac fluid pumped into the formation. Spatial distribution of the proppant is determined using proppant mass, specific gravity and expected proppant porosity in the fractures, and spatially distributing a volume of the fractures within an ellipsoid defined by the ellipsoidal axes.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for generating pressure pulses in a drilling fluid flowing within coiled tubing assembly is described that includes; a flow throttling device longitudinally and axially positioned within the center of a main valve actuator assembly that allows main exit flow fluid to flow past a drive shaft and motor such that the pilot fluid and the main exit flow fluid causes one or more flow throttling devices to generate large, rapid controllable pulses. The pulses generated by the flow throttling device thereby allow transmission of well-developed signals easily distinguished from any noise resulting from other vibrations due to nearby equipment within the borehole or exterior to the borehole, or within the coiled tubing assembly wherein the signals also provide predetermined height, width and shape of the signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for predicting internal multiples generators to correct near surface statics, by estimating a first timing or position associated with reflectors using internal multiple generators identified based on predictive deconvolution operators, estimating a second timing or position associated with the reflectors using the acquired seismic surface data, comparing the first timing or position with the second timing or position for each of the reflectors to determine a travel time delay associated with the reflectors, and correcting the acquired seismic surface data using the travel time delay.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing geologic features including fluid estimation and lithology discrimination may include the steps of identifying areas of interest on a seismic horizon, computing statistical data ranges for the seismic amplitudes within the areas of interest, and analyzing the geologic features based on the amplitude variation with offset (AVO) or angle (AVA) curves including the statistical data ranges.

Abstract: Method for automated and quantitative assessment of multiple direct hydrocarbon indicators (“DHI's”) extracted from seismic data. DHI's are defined in a quantitative way (33), making possible a method of geophysical prospecting based on quantification of DHI anomalies. Instead of working in a particular spatial region of seismic data pre-defined as a hydrocarbon opportunity, the present invention works on entire data volumes derived from the measured seismic data (31), and identifies opportunities based on quantified DHI responses. In some embodiments, a series of algorithms utilizes the geophysical responses that cause DHI's to arise in seismic data to search entire data sets and identify hydrocarbon leads based on the presence of individual and/or combinations of DHI's (34).

Abstract: Methods and systems for similarity indicator calculation associated with seismic data acquisition are described. A similarity indicator value can, for example, be based on a normalized partitioned intensity uniformity (PIU) metric. In another aspect, shot imprints are compared by mapping a base (reference) shot imprint onto a current sample of a shot imprint before calculating the similarity indicator value. The similarity indicator value is associated with the shot imprint location used in the calculation and allows re-shooting of only the areas where an insufficient quality of shot data is detected based on a preconfigured threshold value for the similarity indicator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of processing seismic signals comprising: receiving a set of seismic signals, applying a wavelet transformation to the set of signals and generating transformed signals across a plurality of scales. Then for each scale determining coherence information indicative of the transformed signals and generating a comparison matrix comparing the transformed signals, then outputting seismic attribute information based on combined coherence information.

Abstract: A method of assessing a hydrocarbon source rock candidate uses seismic data for a region of the Earth. The data are analyzed to determine the presence, thickness and lateral extent of candidate source rock based on the knowledge of the seismic behavior of hydrocarbon source rocks. An estimate is provided of the organic content of the candidate source rock from acoustic impedance. An estimate of the hydrocarbon generation potential of the candidate source rock is then provided from the thickness and lateral extent of the candidate source rock and from the estimate of the organic content.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for determining seismic event data from indications of seismic noise, the method including receiving seismic trace data from a plurality of locations, and providing a virtual trace value (ERvirtual) as seismic event data for a virtual trace location from the seismic trace data. A system and computer program product for determining seismic event data is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for target oriented 4D binning of seismic data are presented. A target depth horizon is selected in the vicinity of where 4D changes are expected. Respectively for each data vintage, relationships between the seismic traces and reflection bins, associated with the depth surface, are established and the seismic traces are divided into common reflection angle subsets. The best matching traces from both vintages are selected for each reflection bin and output for further processing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modeling three-dimensional (“3D”) geologic surfaces, which represent a constraining surface and a constrained surface, in a stratigraphic conforming relationship that do not intersect or overlap.

Abstract: Computing systems and methods for improving processing of collected data are disclosed. In one embodiment, while ray-tracing through a sub-surface region, a frequency-dependent outgoing ray direction is computed from a point on an interface disposed in the sub-surface region when the ray tracing is at the interface.

Abstract: A method is presented for partitioning a simulation model into a plurality of subdomains that may each be assigned to one of a plurality of processors. The method includes creating a representation of a topology graph of a simulation model in a tangible, computer readable medium. The topology graph includes a plurality of computational elements and a plurality of connections between those elements. Each of the plurality of connections is weighted to create a plurality of weights, and each of the plurality of weights is scaled. Optionally, the weights can be mapped to different interval of values. Based on the weights information the topology graph is partitioned into two or more subdomains, wherein a partition boundary follows a local topographical minimum in the topology graph. A subdomain is assigned to each of the plurality of processors.

Abstract: A method for generating an image of a subsurface feature, comprises providing seismic data containing information about the feature, comprising i) a first dataset comprising a first up-going wave-field and a first down-going wave-field, ii) a second dataset comprising a second up-going wave-field and a second down-going wave-field, wherein the second dataset is collected at a time that is later than the first dataset by a time interval, creating an up-going 4D difference dataset U by subtracting one of the first and second up-going wave-fields from the other and creating a down-going 4D difference dataset D by subtracting one of the first and second down-going wave-fields from the other, creating a weighting function W that is a function of the similarity of the difference datasets, and creating an image of the feature by generating a 4D similarity stack, where the 4D similarity stack is defined as (U+D)*W/2.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed to enhance surveying techniques. In one embodiment, a virtual response is estimated that corresponds to energy propagated within a subsurface region between a virtual source and a virtual source estimation receiver, wherein the subsurface region corresponds to a survey zone including: a plurality of receivers deployed within the survey zone, a first subzone having at least one actual source, a second subzone within the first subzone; the virtual source is a first receiver disposed in the second subzone; and the virtual source estimation receiver is a second receiver.

Abstract: Embodiments describe techniques for reducing resource overhead in verbose trace operations by recursively pruning object data prior to string serialization. According to one embodiment, a trace operation is initiated. The trace operation generates a string and specifies one or more objects to serialize and append to the string. At least one object is a nested object. The trace operation recursively parses the nested object while generating the string. Data associated with one or more of the objects to prune from the serialization is determined based on a current prioritization level. The one or more objects is serialized into the string.

Abstract: Embodiments describe techniques for reducing resource overhead in verbose trace operations by recursively pruning object data prior to string serialization. According to one embodiment, a trace operation is initiated. The trace operation generates a string and specifies one or more objects to serialize and append to the string. At least one object is a nested object. The trace operation recursively parses the nested object while generating the string. Data associated with one or more of the objects to prune from the serialization is determined based on a current prioritization level. The one or more objects is serialized into the string.

Abstract: Acquisition of data by managing crosstalk interference with sector designs and unique sweeps is conducted and the resultant data are processed in 3D common receiver domain to attenuate crosstalk noise while preserving the signals for high source and receiver density acquisition designs. High-amplitude spectral amplitudes are attenuated and inter-ensemble statics or structural time delays are applied to achieve optimum filter performance. If the spectral amplitudes have been attenuated to a level consistent with non-simultaneous acquisition, conventional surface consistent processing can be performed to correct for statics and amplitude variations. A 3-point filter in different frequency bands may then be applied to remove any remaining residual crosstalk noise.