Abstract: Characteristic X-rays (soft X-rays) from a sample are detected using a spectroscope to thereby generate a plurality of intensity spectrums arranged in order of time sequence. A contour map creation unit creates a contour map by converting, in accordance with a color conversion condition, the plurality of intensity spectrums into a plurality of one-dimensional maps, and arranging the plurality of one-dimensional maps in order of time sequence. When displaying the contour map, a waveform array and a difference contour map may also be displayed. Based on the contour map, a timepoint at which a state change occurs in the sample is determined.

Abstract: A method of enhancing seismic images includes receiving a seismic gather. The seismic gather includes a plurality of seismic traces. A feature trace is generated based on the plurality of seismic traces in the seismic gather. For each of the plurality of seismic traces in the seismic gather, a correlation trace is generated based on that seismic trace and the feature trace, the correlation trace is modified using an activation function, and an enhanced trace is generated by multiplying that seismic trace with the modified correlation trace.

Abstract: A signal processing system, as disclosed herein, generates a filtered signal from a plurality of input signals, comprising a first type of signal and a second type of signal, received from each of a plurality of signal capturing terminals. For each signal frame, a first resultant estimate of the first type of signal in each of the plurality of input signals is determined based on a first impulse response of a corresponding first content adaptive filter. For each signal frame, a second resultant estimate of the first type of signal in a composite signal is determined based on a second impulse response of a second content adaptive filter. Phase information of an estimated interference signal obtained from the second content adaptive filter is restored and the first type of signal is extracted from the filtered signal.

Abstract: A system and method for discontinuous spectrum emission in seismic exploration is disclosed. The method may include determining a minimum frequency to be emitted by a seismic source in a frequency spectrum. The method may further include selecting a maximum frequency to be emitted by the seismic source in the frequency spectrum. The method may include identifying a portion of the spectrum between the minimum frequency and the maximum frequency where a reduced signal will be emitted by the seismic source. The method may finally include emitting, by the seismic source, a seismic signal according to the frequency spectrum and the identified portion of the frequency spectrum with the reduced signal.

Abstract: Geophysical prospecting may be achieved using borehole seismic data and processing velocity seismic profiles using downward continuation to simulate the seismic source being at the depth of the borehole receivers. Such methods may involve collecting seismic data for a subterranean formation with at least one borehole receiver; grouping the seismic data into a one common receiver gather corresponding to each borehole receiver; performing a downward continuation on at least one of the common receiver gathers to produce corresponding downward continued common receiver gathers; performing a normal moveout analysis on at least one of the downward continued common receiver gathers to produce corresponding semblance velocity spectra; and analyzing at least one of the semblance velocity spectra for a zone of interest in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Computing device, computer software and methods for generating sweep signals corresponding to plural sources that generate seismic waves. The method includes selecting a nominal sweep signal (S0); applying a perturbation (P) to the nominal sweep signal (S0); and calculating the sweep signals (Sn) by varying the perturbation (P), each sweep signal corresponding to a seismic source.

Abstract: Automated detection of microseismic events is performed by a system and method that provides automated calculation of one or more statistical parameters for statistics-based detection of microseismic events of interest. An event detector to perform signal subspace-based detection may automatically, e.g. iteratively, be configured based on the one or more automatically calculated and/or estimated statistical parameters, which may include a signal subspace dimension, an effective embedding dimension, a detection threshold, and/or a false alarm rate. Some of the statistical parameters may be calculated based on custom-generated synthetic seismic data.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for exploring a subsurface region that contains a target sector of interest. The method comprises providing information about the harmonic response for the target sector of interest and a seismic source. The method comprises controlling the seismic source to provide seismic waves in a narrowband selected on the basis of the information about the harmonic response for the target sector of interest. The method comprises activating the seismic source so as to introduce seismic waves into the subsurface sector and sensing reflections of the seismic waves at a seismic receiver.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for obtaining and/or processing slip sweep seismic survey data. The methods compute harmonic weight ratios using two types of data: 1) direct survey data where a harmonic sweep does not overlap with the fundamental component of responses of Earth interior and 2) another set of data representative of fundamental component of responses of Earth interior where the harmonic sweep does overlap with the fundamental component of responses of Earth interior. The set of data representative fundamental component of responses of Earth interior can be extracted from ground force measurements or a different sweep. The harmonic weight ratios using ground force measurements at overlapped frequencies may be calibrated with one or more harmonic weight ratios at non-overlapped frequencies.

Abstract: A technique includes spatially filtering a signal that is derived from a seismic acquisition. The filtering is associated with a filter length, and the filtering includes varying the filter length with frequency. The filtering may be used in connection with adaptive noise attenuation, which is applied to decomposed subbands. Furthermore, the filtering may be applied during the reconstruction of the signal from the subbands.

Abstract: A system for assaying gold in a rock formation includes a transmitter and an acoustic sensor. The transmitter is configured to transmit a microwave pulse into the rock formation. The acoustic sensor is coupled to the rock formation and is configured to detect an acoustic wave emitted from the rock formation in response to receipt by the rock formation of the microwave pulse.

Abstract: A microseismic monitoring system includes a seismic sensor positioned proximate to a wellbore traversing a formation; an orientation source producing an orientation shot; a hydraulic apparatus operationally connected with the formation to produce a fracture in the formation; a computer control system operationally connected with a database of known spectral attributes for event categories; and a computer readable medium that carries instructions executable by the computer control system that, when executed: receive data from the seismic sensor; select an event of interest from the data received; determine a spectral estimate of the selected event of interest; compare the determined spectral estimate of the selected event of interest to the known spectral estimates; and select from the data received by the seismic source the orientation shot for orientation of the seismic sensor.

Abstract: A technique includes receiving seismic data acquired in a survey of a region, the region being associated with locations; processing the seismic data to estimate at least one frequency dependent surface wave property over the region; based at least in part on the estimated frequency dependent surface wave property(ies), determining a frequency dependent data processing geometry for each location; and processing the seismic data based at least in part on the determined data processing geometries to derive a spatially continuous representation of a surface wave property across the region.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for exploring a subsurface region that contains a target sector of interest. The method comprises providing information about the harmonic response for the target sector of interest and a seismic source. The method comprises controlling the seismic source to provide seismic waves in a narrowband selected on the basis of the information about the harmonic response for the target sector of interest. The method comprises activating the seismic source so as to introduce seismic waves into the subsurface sector and sensing reflections of the seismic waves at a seismic receiver.

Abstract: A method for estimating a slowness of an earth formation, the method including: transmitting acoustic energy into the earth formation using an acoustic source; receiving the acoustic energy with an array of acoustic receivers, each acoustic receiver being configured to provide acoustic waveform data related to the received acoustic energy; transforming the acoustic waveform data into a frequency domain to provide frequency domain data; calculating a slowness-frequency coherence function using the frequency domain data; selecting slowness dispersion data from peaks of the slowness-frequency coherence function; fitting a curve to the slowness dispersion data; and estimating the slowness from the curve.

Abstract: The present invention relates to producing a quality control measure for use during data acquisition and/or data processing of, preferably, seismic data. While or after obtaining the data, a surface consistent decomposition of the data is performed. From the surface consistent decomposition, one may compute a decomposed logarithmic spectra, and from the decomposed logarithmic spectra, one may compute one or more residua. An error attribute based on the one or more residua can be formulated, analyzed, and output. The error attribute can be used as a quality control measure or the analysis result can be used to produce a quality control measure.

Abstract: In some aspects of the disclosure, a method for creating three-dimensional images of non-linear properties and the compressional to shear velocity ratio in a region remote from a borehole using a conveyed logging tool is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for determining properties of a subsurface region of interest from seismic data is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system of detecting and mapping a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir includes acquiring seismic data having a plurality of components, applying a data transform to the seismic data to obtain seismic data spectral component maxima and maxima profiles, and recording the maxima or maxima profile in a form for display.

Abstract: The method for exploring desired characteristics of a subsurface sector, having at least one resonant frequency, is based on selectively transmitting suitable narrowband energy waves into the subsurface sector, thereby producing narrowband signals reflected off the subsurface sector. The transmitted narrowband energy waves can be selectively and optimally adjusted in real time so as to provide optimum illumination of the desired characteristics from the explored sector.

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 reconstructing subsurface Q models (110) from seismic data (10) by performing ray-based (60), centroid frequency shift (50) Q tomography. The seismic source waveform's amplitude spectrum is approximated by a frequency-weighted exponential function of frequency (40), having two parameters to adjust to fit the frequency shift data, thereby providing a better fit to various asymmetric source amplitude spectra. Box constraints may be used in the optimization routine, and a multi-index active-set method used in velocity tomography is a preferred technique for implementing the box constraints (100).

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for seismic imaging by using waveform inversion in the frequency domain. The seismic imaging apparatus includes: a waveform inversion unit obtaining an equation by applying a Gauss-Newton method to an objective function consisting of residuals of logarithmic wavefields in frequency-domain waveform inversion and then obtaining a parameter vector, which minimizes the objective function, by solving the equation using a conjugate gradient method; and a subsurface structure display unit generating subsurface structure information using the parameter vector obtained by the waveform inversion unit and displaying the generated subsurface structure information.

Abstract: Characterizing a reservoir with electromagnetic imaging surveys includes normalizing measured voltage data by transmitter moment, sorting the normalized voltage data into common receiver profiles, densely resampling transmitter locations using common positions for the receiver profiles, coarsely resampling the data at discreet transmitter locations, defining a starting model for inversion, weighting the data by a factor, converting the normalized voltage data to ratios, calculating a conductivity image using a ratio inversion method, and verifying that an inversion has converged and the image is geologically reasonable. The image can then be displayed. The invention can be used for cross-well, surface-to-borehole, borehole-to-surface, and single-well (borehole-to-borehole) measurements measurements by which the effects of steel casing are reduced.

Abstract: The method for exploring desired characteristics of a subsurface sector, having at least one resonant frequency, is based on selectively transmitting suitable narrowband energy waves into the subsurface sector, thereby producing narrowband signals reflected off the subsurface sector. The transmitted narrowband energy waves can be selectively and optimally adjusted in real time so as to provide optimum illumination of the desired characteristics from the explored sector.

Abstract: A passive method for exploring a region below the surface of the earth. The method comprises using a single sensor located in turn at a plurality of locations to obtain seismic data obtained by recording ambient seismic interface waves in a frequency range whose lower limit is greater than 0 Hz, and whose upper limit is less than or equal to substantially 1 Hz. The data are processed so as to obtain a measure of the energy in a frequency band within the frequency range. For example, the seismic data may be filtered and may be subjected to amplitude normalization before being transformed into the frequency domain. The energy measure may then be calculated by integrating the spectrum in the frequency domain over a desired frequency range. The resulting calculated energy provides information about the region of the earth being explored.

Abstract: Improved methods of processing seismic data which comprise amplitude data assembled in the offset-time domain in which primary reflection signals and noise overlap are provided for. The methods include the step of enhancing the separation between primary reflection signals and coherent noise by transforming the assembled data from the offset-time domain to the time-slowness domain. More specifically, the assembled amplitude data are transformed from the offset-time domain to the time-slowness domain using a Radon transformation according to an index j of the slowness set and a sampling variable ?p; wherein j = p max - p min + 1 ? ? µ ? ? sec ? / ? m ? ? ? p , ?p is from about 0.5 to about 4.0 ?sec/m, pmax is a predetermined maximum slowness, and pmin is a predetermined minimum slowness. Alternately, an offset weighting factor xn is applied to the assembled amplitude data, wherein 0<n<1, and the amplitude data are transformed with a Radon transformation.

Abstract: A method of estimating thickness of a geological layer includes selecting seismic reflection field data from a subsurface depth interval of interest; providing a plurality of geological models having different layer thicknesses and providing respective model responses from the plurality of geological models; comparing a frequency spectrum of the seismic reflection field data with each of the frequency spectra of the model responses to derive comparison data associated with the different layer thicknesses of the models; and deriving from the comparison data a model layer thickness that is indicative of the thickness of the geological layer.

Abstract: A method of performing a Vibroseis survey is described including the step of obtaining signals generated by activating vibratory sources at times T0 and T1, respectively, for a sweep period S and a listening time L such that T1<T0,S+L, wherein harmonic noise within the signals are attenuated using a first method to estimate the harmonics in a time-frequency interval in which harmonics of the sweep T1 overlap with the response to the fundamental of sweep T1 and using a second method for estimating the harmonics in a time-frequency with no overlap.

Abstract: A technique includes receiving seismic data acquired in a survey of a region, the region being associated with locations; processing the seismic data to estimate at least one frequency dependent surface wave property over the region; based at least in part on the estimated frequency dependent surface wave property(ies), determining a frequency dependent data processing geometry for each location; and processing the seismic data based at least in part on the determined data processing geometries to derive a spatially continuous representation of a surface wave property across the region.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for exploring a subsurface region that contains a target sector of interest. The method comprises providing information about the harmonic response for the target sector of interest and a seismic source. The method comprises controlling the seismic source to provide seismic waves in a narrowband selected on the basis of the information about the harmonic response for the target sector of interest. The method comprises activating the seismic source so as to introduce seismic waves into the subsurface sector and sensing reflections of the seismic waves at a seismic receiver.

Abstract: A method waveform processing technique utilizing signal coherence of the array data for processing signals having poor signal-to-noise ratio. Raw waveform data is first transformed into f-k (frequency-wavenumber) domain. A coherence function is then calculated and convolved with the data in the f-k domain, which effectively suppresses non-coherent signals in the data. For the remaining coherent data, the unwanted part is muted and the wanted part is retained and inverse-transformed to yield the coherence-filtered array waveform data. After this processing, small signals that are hidden in the original data are extracted with much enhanced coherence. Subsequent processing of the data yields reliable information about formation acoustic property.

Abstract: The method for exploring desired characteristics of a subsurface sector, having at least one resonant frequency, is based on selectively transmitting suitable narrowband energy waves into the subsurface sector, thereby producing narrowband signals reflected off the subsurface sector. The transmitted narrowband energy waves can be selectively and optimally adjusted in real time so as to provide optimum illumination of the desired characteristics from the explored sector.

Abstract: The method for exploring desired characteristics of a subsurface sector, having at least one resonant frequency, is based on selectively transmitting suitable narrowband energy waves into the subsurface sector, thereby producing narrowband signals reflected off the subsurface sector. The transmitted narrowband energy waves can be selectively and optimally adjusted in real time so as to provide optimum illumination of the desired characteristics from the explored sector.

Abstract: Characterizing a reservoir with electromagnetic imaging surveys includes normalizing measured voltage data by transmitter moment, sorting the normalized voltage data into common receiver profiles, densely resampling transmitter locations using common positions for the receiver profiles, coarsely resampling the data at discreet transmitter locations, defining a starting model for inversion, weighting the data by a factor, converting the normalized voltage data to ratios, calculating a conductivity image using a ratio inversion method, and verifying that an inversion has converged and the image is geologically reasonable. The image can then be displayed. The invention can be used for cross-well, surface-to-borehole, and borehole-to-surface measurements by which the effects of steel casing are reduced.

Abstract: A method and system of detecting and mapping a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir includes acquiring seismic data having a plurality of components, applying a data transform to the seismic data to obtain seismic data spectral component maxima and maxima profiles, and recording the maxima or maxima profile in a form for display.

Abstract: According to a preferred aspect of the instant invention, there is provided herein a system and method for using both a temporal zone of seismic data and conditioned amplitude spectra thereof to determine the underlying layer sequence. The instant invention is suitable both for determining layer positions and layer impedance magnitudes, that best describes the geologic sequence sampled by a band limited seismic source wavelet as reflected from the zone.

Abstract: A method for simultaneously operating multiple seismic vibrators using continuous sweeps (little or no “listening” time between sweeps) for each vibrator, and recovering the separated seismic responses for each vibrator with the earth signature removed. Each vibrator is given a unique, continuous pilot signal. The earth response to the motion of each vibrator is measured or estimated. The vibrator motion records for each vibrator and the combined seismic data record for all the vibrators are parsed into separate shorter records. The shorter records are then used to form a system of simultaneous linear equations in the Fourier transform domain, following the HFVS method of Sallas and Allen. The equations are then solved for the separated earth responses.

Abstract: A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes obtaining seismic trace data for a region of interest; processing the seismic trace data to calculate at least one spectrum for at least one sample from the seismic data; calculating at least one dominant frequency (?D) for the at least one spectrum; calculating at least one measure of energy loss at frequencies above the at least one dominant frequency (?D) on the at least one spectrum; and locating a hydrocarbon reservoir in the region of interest using the at least one dominant frequency (?D) and the at least one measure of energy loss.

Abstract: A wireless seismic data acquisition unit with a wireless receiver providing access to a common remote time reference shared by a plurality of wireless seismic data acquisition units in a seismic system. The receiver is capable of replicating local version of remote time epoch to which a seismic sensor analog-to-digital converter is synchronized. The receiver is capable of replicating local version of remote common time reference for the purpose of time stamping local node events. The receiver is capable of being placed in a low power, non-operational state over periods of time during which the seismic data acquisition unit continues to record seismic data, thus conserving unit battery power. The system implements a method to correct the local time clock based on intermittent access to the common remote time reference. The method corrects the local time clock via a voltage controlled oscillator to account for environmentally induced timing errors.

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: This invention is a method of separating induced microseismicity signals from seismic signals acquired within active seismic monitoring operations carried out in underground zones under development which has application for monitoring of underground hydrocarbon or fluid storage reservoirs. Seismic records are formed from signals emitted by one or more seismic sources controlled by orthogonal signals. In this case, the signals are processed to separate the respective contributions of the at least one seismic source to the signals received and to reconstruct the seismograms equivalent to those that would be obtained by actuating the at least one seismic source separately.

Abstract: Methods of processing seismic data to remove unwanted noise from meaningful reflection signals are provided for. The methods comprise the steps of assembling seismic data into common geometry gathers in an offset-time domain without correcting the data for normal moveout. The amplitude data are then transformed from the offset-time domain to the time-slowness domain using a Radon transformation. A corrective filter is then applied to enhance the primary reflection signal content of the data and to eliminate unwanted noise events. The corrective filter has a pass region with a lower pass limit and a higher pass limit. The higher pass limit is set within 15% above the slowness of the primary reflection signals and, preferably, it is more closely set to the slowness of the primary reflection signals. The lower pass limit is also preferably set within 15% below the slowness of the primary reflection signals.

Abstract: A method and system of detecting and mapping a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir includes determining ratio data for a plurality of orthogonal spectral components of naturally occurring low frequency background seismic data. The ratio data may be compared, plotted, contoured and displayed as a subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir map or a hydrocarbon potential map. The ratio data may represent a vertical spectral component of the seismic data over a horizontal spectral component of the seismic data. The subsurface hydrocarbon reservoir map may include contouring the ratio data over a geographical area associated with the seismic data.

Abstract: Methods of processing seismic data to remove unwanted noise from meaningful reflection signals are provided for. The methods comprise the steps of assembling seismic data into common geometry gathers in an offset-time domain without correcting the data for normal moveout. The amplitude data are then transformed from the offset-time domain to the time-slowness domain using a Radon transformation. At least of subset of the transformed data is filtered to enhance its coherent noise content and to diminish its primary reflection signal content by defining a slowness high-pass region and, a slowness low-pass region. The low-pass region is defined to enhance the low slowness coherent noise content and to diminish the primary reflection signal content thereof, thereby generating a first subset of said transformed data having enhanced low slowness coherent noise content.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for identifying zones anomalously absorptive of seismic energy. The method includes jointly time-frequency decomposing seismic traces, low frequency bandpass filtering the decomposed traces to determine a general trend of mean frequency and bandwidth of the seismic traces, and high frequency bandpass filtering the decomposed traces to determine local variations in the mean frequency and bandwidth of the seismic traces. Anomalous zones are determined where there is difference between the general trend and the local variations.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for characterizing earth formations. In one embodiment, the method includes passing a logging tool through a borehole and repeatedly: (a) triggering an acoustic wave generator; (b) recording acoustic waveforms received by receivers in the logging tool; (c) determining a time semblance of the recorded acoustic waveforms; and (d) smoothing the time semblance. In a different embodiment, a phase semblance of the recorded acoustic waveforms is determined and smoothed. The smoothing may be performed using an adaptive wavelet denoising technique or an adaptive moving average filter technique. In each case the average time or frequency spacing between semblance peaks is preferably determined and used to adapt the smoothing operation in a manner that varies with the slowness value s.

Abstract: This invention relates to improved methods to generate shaped sweeps, and for the acquisition of vibroseis data with a shaped pilot sweep.

Abstract: A method for assessing the suitability of seismic data for quantitative amplitude analysis, where the concern is excessive residual normal moveout (RNMO). The invention uses a near offset stack and a far offset stack, the time difference between the two, a mute pattern, a reflection shape assumption for the RNMO, and a waveform and frequency for the far stack traces to generate a formula that estimates far stack amplitude error caused by RNMO. The formula can be used to compensate the far stack amplitude where the error is not so great as to require reprocessing of the data. The method can also be applied to interpreted amplitude maps.

Abstract: An error-suppression signal measurement system and method therefor is provided. The system transmits a test signal from a first probe, through a device under test, and into a second probe. The probes extract normalization signals from reference signals therein, exchange specific ones of the normalization signals, and combine the normalization signals with data signals derived from the test signal to form receiver signals. The probes propagate the receiver signals to a receiver, where the signals are gain-ranged, digitized, normalized, and compensated for phase-noise.