Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for analysis of geological structures using seismic attributes are described. In some embodiments, a method includes computing a similarity function using one or more seismic attributes at a location within the geological structure along an I direction and a J direction; computing a total optimal similarity function in at least one plane defined by the I and J directions; computing a minimum possible value of the total similarity function for a defined range of rotations; and calculating a discontinuity measure based at least partially on the minimum possible value of the total similarity function.

Abstract: Slowness dispersion characteristics of multiple possibly interfering signals in broadband acoustic waves as received by an array of two or more sensors are extracted without using a physical model. The problem of dispersion extraction is mapped to the problem of reconstructing signals having a sparse representation in an appropriately chosen over-complete dictionary of basis elements. A sparsity penalized signal reconstruction algorithm is described where the sparsity constraints are implemented by imposing a l1 norm type penalty. The candidate modes that are extracted are consolidated by means of a clustering algorithm to extract phase and group slowness estimates at a number of frequencies which are then used to reconstruct the desired dispersion curves. These estimates can be further refined by building time domain propagators when signals are known to be time compact, such as by using the continuous wavelet transform.

Abstract: To process seismic data, a combined four-dimensional (4D) binning and regularization procedure is performed on the seismic data, where the combined 4D binning and regularization procedure includes computing measures associated with regularization of the seismic data, computing measures associated with 4D binning, and processing the seismic data according to the regularization measures and 4D binning measures.

Abstract: Method for deriving a reservoir property change data volume from time shifts used to time-align 4D seismic survey data (31). The time alignment is performed on at least one angle stack of 4D data to determine a time-shift data volume (32). When multiple angle stacks are used, the time shifts are corrected to zero offset. A running time window is defined, and within each window the time shifts are best fit to a straight-line function of time (depth), one angle stack at a time (33). The slopes from the straight line fits from different angle stacks are averaged at each voxel in the data volume, which yields a reservoir properties (??/?) data volume (34). This data volume may be filtered with a low-pass filter to improve signal-to-noise (35). The resulting data volume may be merged with the 4D data volume to expand its bandwidth (36), or it may be converted into a reservoir saturation and pressure change data volume (38) using a rock-physics model (37).

Abstract: A seismic data acquisition system includes a controller, a plurality of sensor stations and a plurality of seismic sources. Each sensor station includes a sensor coupled to the earth for sensing seismic energy in the earth. The sensor provides a signal indicative of the sensed seismic energy and a recorder device co-located with the sensor unit that receives and stores the signals. A communication device is co-located with the sensor station and provides direct two-way wireless communication with the central controller. In one embodiment, in-field personnel determine elevation values, or Z values, for the sensor stations and seismic source by accessing a digital elevation model or a look-up table based on the digital elevation model. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: A technique includes determining a change in an elastic property of a region of interest at a second time relative to a first time based on a flow simulation model. The technique includes scaling the determined change in the elastic property based on data acquired in a seismic survey.

Abstract: A method of modeling seismic wave-field data in order to suppress near-surface and sub-surface related multiple reflection signals is provided. The reflection signals include main primary reflection signals, main random noise signals, main multiple reflection signals, residual primary reflection signals, residual random noise signals, and residual multiple reflection signals. Main random noise signals are separated from the reflection signals using a frequency-wavenumber domain method to provide data having suppressed main random noise. Main primary reflection signals are separated from the data having suppressed main random noise using frequency-wavenumber filtering and weighted median filtering to provide data having suppressed main random noise and main primary reflections. Multiple reflection signals are modeled using parabolic path summation on the data having suppressed main random noise and main primary reflections.

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.

Abstract: Provided is a method for processing seismic data. One exemplary embodiment includes the steps of obtaining a plurality of initial subsurface images; decomposing each of the initial subsurface images into components; identifying a set of components comprising one of (i) components having at least one substantially similar characteristic across the plurality of initial subsurface images, and (ii) components having substantially dissimilar characteristics across the plurality of initial subsurface images; and generating an enhanced subsurface image using the identified set of components. Each of the initial subsurface images is generated using a unique random set of encoding functions.

Abstract: Beamed data can be obtained from shot gather data, and debeamed data can be obtained from beamed data. Shot gather data for a geophysical volume of interest in a first domain and/or beamed data in a third domain may be received. The first domain has a component relating to seismic wave propagation time and a spatial component relating to lateral spacing. The third domain has a component relating to local plane wave arrival time at a beam center surface location and a component relating to plane wave arrival directions. Data may be transformed between the first domain and a second domain. The second domain has a frequency component and a spatial component corresponding to the spatial component of the first domain. A forward or reverse transform may be applied to transform shot gather data in the first domain to/from beamed data in the third domain.

Abstract: This is a method of separating simultaneous sources that uses an inversion-type approach. Each source will preferably activated at a random time with respect to the others. These random delays tend to make the interference between sources incoherent while the reflections create coherent events within a series of shots. The shot separation is performed via a numerical inversion process that utilizes the sweeps for each shot, the start times of each shot, and the coherence of reflection events between nearby shots. This method will allow seismic surveys to be acquired faster and cheaper.

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: A method can include accessing seismic data; providing a wave function that defines, at least in part, a correlation window length; generating local autocorrelation functions for the seismic data using the correlation window length; performing cross-correlations between the wave function and each of the local autocorrelation functions to provide local cross-correlation coefficient values; determining second derivatives of the local cross-correlation coefficient values to provide local second derivative values; and rendering the local second derivative values to a display. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for interpolating irregularly sampled seismic data, including receiving seismic data acquired at irregularly spaced seismic sensors in a survey area, defining a plurality of regularly spaced locations in the survey area, forming an annular ring around one of the plurality of regularly spaced locations, and interpolating the seismic data inside the annular ring to estimate seismic data that would have been acquired at the one of the plurality of regularly spaced locations.

Abstract: Geophysical data representing at least first and second overlapping geophysical spaces may be aggregated. A first set of geophysical data representing the first geophysical space and a second set of geophysical data representing the second geophysical space may be obtained. The second set of geophysical data may be separate and discrete from the first set of geophysical data. The first set of geophysical data may be transformed from a first parametric domain to a third parametric domain, while the second set of geophysical data may be transformed from a second parametric domain to the third parametric domain. The first set of geophysical data may be fused with the second set of geophysical data in the third parametric domain to create a fused set of geophysical data. The fused set of geophysical data may be transformed from the third parametric domain to a fourth parametric domain.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and article of manufacture for generating images of a subsurface region are disclosed. The method includes obtaining seismic data and an earth model related to the subsurface region, forward propagating a source wavefield through the earth model for a limited time range dependent on a first travel time and a second travel time, backward propagating a receiver wavefield through the earth model for the limited time range dependent on the first travel time and the second travel time, and applying an imaging condition to the forward propagated source wavefield and backward propagated receiver wavefield to generate images related to the subsurface region. The first travel time is a length of time taken by seismic energy to travel from a seismic source to an image point in the subsurface region and the second travel time is a length of time taken by seismic energy to travel from a seismic receiver to the image point in the subsurface region.

Abstract: A method for generating a synthetic seismogram. In one implementation, the method may include generating a first seismogram in a tau-p domain for a wavefront that moves through an overburden to an upper boundary of a reservoir. The first seismogram is based on a common shot point gather. The method may further include generating a second seismogram in the tau-p domain for the wavefront moving from the upper boundary to a lower boundary of the reservoir and reflected back up to the upper boundary; generating a third seismogram in the tau-p domain for the wavefront moving from the upper boundary of the reservoir through the overburden; and adding the first seismogram in the tau-p domain, the second seismogram in the tau-p domain, and the third seismogram in the tau-p domain.

Abstract: A system and method of processing seismic data obtained using a surface-based receiver configured to measure vertical movement of the Earth includes retrieving seismic data from a storage device, the seismic data comprising P-P data and shear mode data. The P-P data and shear mode data were both received at a surface-based receiver configured to measure vertical movement of the Earth to generate the seismic data. The system and method further include processing the seismic data to extract the shear mode data and generating a shear mode image based on the extracted shear mode data.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for processing of three components, 3-Dimensions seismic (3-C, 3-D) data acquired by down-hole receivers and surface seismic sources. Automatic velocity analysis is used to identify the velocities of dominant events in a VSP panel. Different wave-types (downgoing P, downgoing PS, upcoming PS and upcoming PP) are identified and sequentially removed.

Abstract: A seismic vibrator receives a pilot signal having a predetermined waveform. The pilot signal causes vibrational actuation of at least one moveable element of the seismic vibrator. A continuous seismic signal having content in a first frequency bandwidth of multiple frequencies is generated by the seismic vibrator.

Abstract: Methods and systems for analyzing subterranean formations in-situ stress are disclosed. A method for extracting geological horizon on-demand from a 3D seismic data set, comprises receiving sonic log data; computing the anisotropic shear moduli C44, C55 and C66; determining in-situ stress type and selecting an in-situ stress expression corresponding to the in-situ stress type; computing stress regime factor Q of the formation interval; and computing and outputting the maximum stress ?H by using the stress regime factor Q, Vertical stress ?v and Minimum horizontal stress ?h.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the instant invention there is provided a method for collecting a blended source seismic survey that utilizes new approach to determining a random time separation between successive shots. The random time separation may be drawn in some embodiments from a distribution of uniformly distributed numbers, with ?>1/(2 f), where ? is the half-width of the uniform distribution and f is the lowest frequency of interest in the survey.

Abstract: A system includes an interface and a processor. The interface receives seismic datasets, which are associated with multiple firings of a set of at least one seismic source. Each dataset is acquired by seismic sensors during a different time period of a sequence of time periods that are limited by times at which the set of seismic source(s) are fired. The processor, for each of the firings of the set of seismic source(s), generates an associated shot record based on information contained at least two of the datasets.

Abstract: Method for transforming geologic data relating to a subsurface region between a geophysical depth domain and a geologic age domain. A set of topologically consistent surfaces (252a) is obtained that correspond to seismic data (252). The surfaces are enumerated in the depth domain. An age is assigned to each surface in the depth domain (255). The age corresponds to an estimated time of deposition of the respective surface. An age mapping volume is generated (256). An extent of the age domain is chosen. A depth mapping volume is generated (260). Both the age mapping volume and the depth mapping volume are used to transform geophysical, geologic, or engineering data or interpretations (258, 263) between the depth domain and the age domain (268) and vice versa (269). The geophysical, geologic, or engineering data or interpretations transformed by at least one of the age or depth mapping volume are outputted.

Abstract: A technique for performing a fast residual migration of seismic data through parsimonious image decomposition is presented. In one aspect, the technique includes a software-implemented method for processing a set of seismic data includes through parsimonious image decomposition. Other aspects of the technique include a program storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform such a method or a computing apparatus programmed to perform such a method.

Abstract: Methods and related systems are described for processing surface seismic data. Surface seismic data representing seismic signals detected at a plurality of surface locations is wavefield deconvolved using a combination of direct wave travel times estimated from borehole seismic data, and wavefield energy estimated from the surface seismic data.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method of seismic data collection for land and marine data that utilizes narrowband to monochromatic low-frequency non-impulsive sources designed to optimize the ability of migration/inversion algorithms to image the subsurface of the Earth, in particular, full-waveform inversion.

Abstract: A method for processing seismic data. The method may include receiving seismic data due to a plurality of seismic sources and applying a first operator to the seismic data in an ith domain to generate a first estimate of seismic data due to an ith seismic source. The ith domain may correspond to the ith seismic source of the plurality of seismic sources. The method may then include applying a second operator to the first estimate of seismic data due to the ith seismic source in one or more domains other than the ith domain to generate residual seismic data due to one or more seismic sources other than the ith seismic source. After applying the a second operator to the first estimate of seismic data due to the ith seismic source, the method may determine a second estimate of seismic data due to the ith seismic source based on the first estimate and the residual seismic data due to the seismic sources other than the ith seismic source. The method may then repeat some of the steps described above (i.e.

Abstract: A seismic sensor module includes sensing elements arranged in a plurality of axes to detect seismic signals in a plurality of respective directions, and a processor to receive data from the sensing elements and to determine inclinations of the axes with respect to a particular orientation. The determined inclinations are used to combine the data received from the sensing elements to derive tilt-corrected seismic data for the particular orientation.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed for replacing the individual receivers used with a seismic interferometry process with an array of seismic receivers and then manipulating the array data in order to measure and modify the typical non-uniform directionality function of the background seismic energy. The non-uniform directionality function is a significant cause of noise with seismic interferometry. Furthermore, the array of receivers may be used to significantly enhance the preferred reflection energy and damp undesirable near surface energy. The directionality function may be modified by using an array of receivers for the virtual source location of seismic interferometry to measure the non-uniform directionality function, generating multiplication factors, and applying the multiplication factors to convert the measured directionality function into a desired directionality function.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and system for improving the accuracy and detail in determining changes in properties associated with sub-surface geological structures. A first and a second time-lapse seismic data taken for a first and a second seismic survey, respectively, are received. If no calibration for the first and second time-lapse seismic data are needed, then an absolute time-lapse comparison is made. In the absolute time-lapse comparison, the time-lapse seismic data taken at a depth level below a reference level is compared with time-lapse seismic data taken at the reference level. If however, calibration is needed, then a residual time-lapse comparison is made. In the residual time-lapse comparison, the derived residual phase and amplitude differences at a depth level below the reference level are compared with the derived residual phase and amplitude differences at the reference level.

Abstract: Earth analysis methods, subsurface feature detection methods, earth analysis devices, and articles of manufacture are described. According to one embodiment, an earth analysis method includes engaging a device with the earth, analyzing the earth in a single substantially lineal direction using the device during the engaging, and providing information regarding a subsurface feature of the earth using the analysis.

Abstract: Method for modeling anisotropic elastic properties of a subsurface region comprising mixed fractured rocks and other geological bodies. P-wave and fast and slow S-wave logs are obtained, and an anisotropic rock physics model of the subsurface region is developed (21). P- and fast and slow S-wave logs at the well direction are calculated using a rock physics model capable of handling fractures and other geological factors (22). Calculated values are compared to measured values in an iterative model updating process (23). An upscaled ID model is developed by averaging elastic properties in each layer using an upscaling theory capable of handling at least orthorhombic anisotropy (24). The ID model may be used to generate synthetic seismic response for well ties or AVO modeling (25). Further, a method is disclosed for estimating anisotropy parameters from P- and fast/slow S-wave logs from one or more deviated wells.

Abstract: A method and system for processing synchronous array seismic data includes acquiring synchronous passive seismic data from a plurality of sensors to obtain synchronized array measurements. A reverse-time data process is applied to the synchronized array measurements to obtain a plurality of dynamic particle parameters associated with subsurface locations. These dynamic particle parameters are stored in a form for display. Maximum values of the dynamic particle parameters may be interpreted as reservoir locations. The dynamic particle parameters may be particle displacement values, particle velocity values, particle acceleration values or particle pressure values. The sensors may be three-component sensors. Zero-phase frequency filtering of different ranges of interest may be applied. The data may be resampled to facilitate efficient data processing.

Abstract: Divergence data is received from a divergence sensor and seismic data is received from seismic sensors, where the divergence sensor and seismic sensors are part of a sensor assembly. A calibration term is computed based on combining the divergence data and the seismic data, where the calibration term includes a first parameter that is related to a characteristic of the sensor assembly, and a second parameter that is related to a characteristic of a near-surface subterranean medium.

Abstract: A method for improving seismic images by correction of distortions in the underlying seismic data caused by a near-surface anomaly that produces a non-hyperbolic move-out component of the seismic reflection below the anomaly includes the steps of: a. redatuming the input seismic data to go from the surface to a target horizon using true one-way traveltime operators to provide a first new redatuming dataset; b. redatuming the input seismic data using hyperbolic one-way travel time operators to provide a second new redatuming dataset; and c. redatuming the combination of a first causal part of the first new redatuming dataset and an anti-causal second part of the second redatuming dataset to go from the target horizon back to the surface using hyperbolic one-way traveltime operators to provide a dataset that is referenced to the surface without an imprint of the anomaly.

Abstract: A zero-offset VSP survey is carried out with spaced apart receivers located in a vertical wellbore. Spectra of the signals at the receivers following wavefield separation are estimated. An absorption coefficient is estimated using differences in spectra between all pairs of receivers.

Abstract: This disclosure presents a method that utilizes the seismic image of the near-surface formation to estimate an effective velocity field equivalent to the unknown true velocity field of the soil column, such that the statics shifts derived from the effective velocity field are essentially the same as the statics shifts that would have been computed using the unknown true velocity field. The effective velocity field derived statics shifts can be used to correct distortions caused by the near-surface formation and restore the sesimic image of the subsurface formation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mapping a water pathway. A group of sensors can be employed for detecting one or more features associated with the water pathway in a direction of flow through the water pathway. A buoyant vessel maintains the sensors, and the sensors assist in compiling data indicative of the detected features. The velocity in the direction of flow through the water pathway can be then determined based on data indicative of the detected feature(s). A mapping of the water pathway can be thereafter generated utilizing the velocity with respect to the features detected by the sensors.

Abstract: A system and method of acquiring and processing full elastic waveform data from a vertical-force source comprises providing seismic waves into the earth from the vertical-force source, sensing reflections of the seismic waves at multi-component geophones placed along the surface of the earth, and processing the reflections of the seismic waves to generate full elastic waveform data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system and method for partitioning data for modelling a geological structure including laterally partitioning the data into multiple columns, where each column may be substantially laterally centered about a dual fiber and vertically partitioning each column at each of multiple intersection points of multiple surfaces and the dual fiber about which the column may be substantially laterally centered.

Abstract: A method for calculating angle domain common image gathers (ADCIGs). The method includes calculating a source wavefield pF of a seismic source; calculating a receiver wavefield pB of a seismic receiver; applying an algorithm of anti-leakage Fourier transform (ALFT) to transform the source wavefield pF to a wavenumber domain; applying the ALFT algorithm to the receiver wavefield to transform the receiver wavefield in the wavenumber domain; determining an imaging condition to the ALFT source and receiver wavefields in the wavenumber domain; computing a reflection angle ? and an azimuth angle ? of the source wavefield pF and receiver wavefield pB in the wavenumber domain; calculating the ADCIGs in the wavenumber domain; and applying an inverse fast Fourier transform (FFT) to determine the ADCIGs in the space domain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring a subsoil zone, wherein a plurality of receivers are arranged on a surface of the soil or near said surface, straight above a geological zone to be monitored, comprising the following steps: generating a set of reference seismic data recording seismic data by means of said receivers; correlating the seismic data recorded (52) with the reference seismic data; comparing each trace of the correlated data, with correlated traces located in a vicinity of said trace, in order to evaluate a similarity of each correlated trace with the adjacent correlated traces, detecting a microseismic event occurring in the subsoil zone by analysing said similarity. This method enables real-time monitoring.

Abstract: A method for spectrally conditioning surface seismic data. In one implementation, the method may include correcting surface seismic data for distortions due to anomalous spectral amplitudes, thereby generating a first set of corrected data; correcting the first set of corrected data for deterministic distortions, thereby generating a second set of corrected data; correcting the second set of corrected data for spectral distortions due to the seismic waves traveling through the near-surface, thereby generating a third set of corrected data; and correcting the third set of corrected data for spectral distortions due to the seismic waves traveling through deeper strata.

Abstract: Methods and systems utilizing seismic sensors configured or designed for use in seismic signal detection. The seismic sensors output displacement signals of a displacement sensor superimposed on velocity signals generated by a moving coil of the seismic sensors.

Abstract: The invention relates to acquiring seismic data in either land or marine environments, but typically marine environments where a pulse-type source is fired in a distinctive composite pulse like a distinctive rumble. In a preferred embodiment, a number of pulse-type seismic sources, sometimes called an array, are fired in a distinctive composite pulse to be able to identify within the returning wavefield the energy resulting from the composite pulse. Firing the pulse-type sources creates an identifiable signature so that two or more marine seismic acquisition systems with source arrays can be acquiring seismic data concurrently and the peak energy delivered into the water will be less, which will reduce the irritation of seismic data acquisition to marine life.

Abstract: A system and method of processing seismic data obtained using a surface-based receiver configured to measure vertical movement of the Earth includes retrieving seismic data from a storage device, the seismic data comprising P-P data and shear mode data. The P-P data and shear mode data were both received at a surface-based receiver configured to measure vertical movement of the Earth to generate the seismic data. The system and method further include processing the seismic data to extract the shear mode data and generating a shear mode image based on the extracted shear mode data.

Abstract: Images of a subsurface region may be generated in conjunction with reverse time migration with reduced or no backscattering noise. Two or more wavefields may be decomposed to produce two or more corresponding decomposed wavefields. The two or more decomposed wavefields may include a source wavefield and a receiver wavefield. Directivity of the two or more decomposed wavefields may be determined to produce corresponding direction-dependent components of the two or more decomposed wavefields. One or more of the direction-dependent components of one or more decomposed source wavefields may be cross-correlated with one or more of the direction-dependent components of one or more corresponding decomposed receiver wavefields. An image of the subsurface region may be generated based on the cross-correlation.

Abstract: Determining geological layer location in a subterranean formation, including receiving seismic data representing an interaction of the geological layer with propagation of a seismic wave, identifying a source wavelet representing a portion of the seismic wave impinging on a boundary of the geological layer, providing a geological layer template of the geological layer including primary and secondary reflection interfaces associated with reflectivity based on material properties of the geological layer, generating a wavelet response template by applying the source wavelet to the geological layer template using a mathematical convolution operation to model seismic wave interference caused by the primary and secondary reflection interfaces, identifying an extremum of the seismic data, and determining, based on the extremum, the location of the geological layer in the subterranean formation using the wavelet response template.

Abstract: A geophysical model of a subsurface region is generated based on seismic data, e.g., seismic reflection data. Migration and seismic inversion are applied to the seismic data to generate estimates of one or more physical or seismic properties of the subsurface region. Seismic inversion, such as spectral shaping inversion, is applied before or after migrating the seismic data through a variety of techniques that each avoid the amplification of dipping energy while optimizing computational efficiency and/or accuracy.