Abstract: A global objective function is initialized to an initial value. A particular model simulation process is executed using prepared input data. A mismatch value is computed by using a local function to compare an output of the particular model simulation process to corresponding input data for the particular model simulation process. Model objects associated with the particular model simulation process are sent to another model simulation process. An optimization process is executed to predict new values for input data to reduce the computed mismatch value.

Abstract: A method is described for seismic imaging including receiving a seismic dataset representative of a subsurface volume of interest and an earth model; decomposing the seismic dataset into a set of data sub-sets based on a decomposition function; imaging each data sub-set using the earth model to generate a set of image sub-sets; and combining the set of image sub-sets based on a criterion to create a high resolution seismic image. The method may be executed by a computer system.

Abstract: A method, system and non-transitory computer-readable medium for forming a seismic image of a geological structure are provided. After obtaining seismic wave data including a plurality of seismic wave traces at a first region of the geological structure, a predicted time dispersion error of an actual time dispersion error that results from a use of a finite difference approximation in calculating predicted seismic wave data at a second region of the geological structure as if a seismic wave propagates from the first region to the second region of the geological structure, is calculated. A corrected predicted seismic wave data at the second region of the geological structure is calculated by applying the finite difference approximation to the seismic wave data at the first region of the geological structure compensated with the predicted time dispersion error.

Abstract: Marine geophysical damper system. At least some of the example embodiments are methods of manufacturing a geophysical data product including obtaining geophysical data by a sensor streamer; and recording the geophysical data on a tangible computer-readable medium. The obtaining may include: towing a sensor streamer and a dilt buoy, the dilt buoy coupled to a proximal end of the sensor streamer by a line, the sensor streamer is submerged in a body of water and the dilt buoy is disposed at the surface the body of water; and during the towing measuring movement of the dilt buoy caused by surface wave action; and selectively damping relative movement between the dilt buoy and the sensor streamer, the relative movement caused by the surface wave action, and the selectively damping by a damper associated with the line.

Abstract: A method for geophysical source steering including towing a first geophysical source through a body of water; and adjusting a first steering parameter of the first geophysical source while towing the first geophysical source. An apparatus for geophysical source steering including a first marine vibrator source having a first housing structure; a first vibrational surface functionally coupled to the first housing structure such that at least a portion of the first vibrational surface can vibrate relative to the first housing structure; and first steering control equipment.

Abstract: Seismic data processing using one or more non-linear stacking enabling detection of weak signals relative to noise levels. The non-linear stacking includes a double phase, a double phase-weighted, a real phasor, a squared real phasor, a phase and an N-th root stack. Microseismic signals as recorded by one or more seismic detectors and transformed by transforming the signal to enhance detection of arrivals. The transforms enable the generation of an image, or map, representative of the likelihood that there was a source of seismic energy occurring at a given point in time at a particular point in space, which may be used, for example, in monitoring operations such as hydraulic fracturing, fluid production, water flooding, steam flooding, gas flooding, and formation compaction.

Abstract: System and methods for downhole fluid classification are provided. Measurements are obtained from one or more downhole sensors located along a current section of wellbore within a subsurface formation. The measurements obtained from the one or more downhole sensors are transformed into principal spectroscopy component (PSC) data. One or more fluid types are identified for the current section of the wellbore within the subsurface formation, based on the PSC data and a fluid classification model. The fluid classification model is refined for one or more subsequent sections of the wellbore within the subsurface formation, based at least partly on the one or more fluid types identified for the current section of the wellbore.

Abstract: Beamforming method that allows a high speed and high accuracy beamforming with no approximate interpolations.

Abstract: Multi-vintage energy mapping selects a first seismic survey data and a second seismic survey dataset from a plurality of seismic survey datasets. The first seismic survey dataset includes a set of first energies associated with a first seismic survey geometry, and the second seismic survey dataset includes a set of second energies associated with a second seismic survey geometry. The first set of energies are mapped from the first seismic survey geometry to the second seismic survey geometry, and the second set of energies are mapped from the second seismic survey geometry to the first seismic survey geometry. An updated first seismic dataset and an updated second seismic dataset are generated such that only energies from the first and second seismic datasets associated with changes in a subsurface are preserved in the updated first and second seismic datasets.

Abstract: A survey system including a multibeam echo sounder and a beam selector for selecting beams with the largest amplitudes.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for characterizing an anomalous fluid body in an earth formation using measurements in a borehole intersecting the formation. Methods include galvanically exciting a transient electric field in the earth formation which interacts with an anomalous fluid body in the earth formation remote from the borehole; galvanically receiving a corresponding transient electromagnetic (TEM) signal; and using at least one processor to estimate a value of a parameter of the anomalous fluid body using the corresponding transient signal.

Abstract: A method for efficient use of a computing system of parallel processors to perform inversion of geophysical data, or joint inversion of two or more data types. The method includes assigning at least one control processor to control sequence of operations and reduce load imbalance, assigning a group of one or more processors dedicated to updating one or more model parameters, and assigning another group of one or more processors dedicated to forward modeling simulated data.

Abstract: Various implementations directed to quality control and preconditioning of seismic data are provided. In one implementation, a method may include receiving particle motion data from particle motion sensors disposed on seismic streamers. The method may also include performing quality control (QC) processing on the particle motion data. The method may further include performing preconditioning processing on the QC-processed particle motion data. The method may additionally include attenuating noise in the preconditioning-processed particle motion data.

Abstract: A method of simulating a hydrocarbon reservoir is disclosed. A process-based model is generated that mimics a depositional process of the reservoir. The process-based model is analyzed to extract statistics of geometries of a body that forms part of the reservoir, and depositional rules of the body. An object-based modeling method is applied to construct multiple unconditional geologic models of the body using the statistics and the depositional rules. Training images are constructed using the multiple unconditional geologic models. Well data and gross thickness data are assigned into a simulation grid. A single multiple-point geostatistical simulation is performed using the training images. A three-dimensional (3D) reservoir model is constructed using results of the multiple-point geostatistical simulation.

Abstract: The current disclosure is directed to methods and systems to determine properties of a subterranean formation located below a body of water. The methods and systems compute synthetic pressure and velocity vector wavefields that represent acoustic energy interactions within a model environment that comprises a model body of water located above a model subterranean formation. The model environment is separated into a stationary region and a time-varying region. The methods and systems include determining properties of the subterranean formation by iteratively adjusting the model environment to approximate the actual subterranean formation. The model environment is iteratively adjusted until a minimum difference between the synthetic pressure and velocity vector wavefields computed for each change to the model environment and actual pressure and velocity wave fields obtained from a marine seismic survey of the subterranean formation is achieved.

Abstract: System and method for estimating a spatial distribution of a characteristic associated with Earth resources. The method includes receiving at an interface palaeogeography data including (1) palaeotopography data, (2) palaeobathymetry data, (3) and a palaeo-earth systems model; calculating with a processor, a retrodictive model of the characteristic based on the (1) palaeotopography data, (2) the palaeobathymetry data, and (3) the palaeo-earth systems model; and imaging the spatial distribution of the characteristic over a part of the Earth.

Abstract: A method for modelling geomechanical effects in the subsurface by conditioning geomechanical model parameters to time-lapse observations. The model is driven by displacement boundary conditions derived from observed time-lapse travel time shift and time strain. The displacements at the boundaries of the model are extracted from time-lapse data, converted from travel time shift to depth shift and lateral shifts if necessary, and applied as displacement increments on the initial geomechanical model. Subsequently, increments of stresses and strains are calculated by the geomechanical simulator, and time-lapse related parameters in the interior of the model are compared with the time-lapse observations. This enables a comprehensive study of mismatch between simulations and observations that can be used to update material properties, faults, fractures and the rock strain-velocity change relationship (R factor).

Abstract: A technique for reconstructing a seismic wavefield includes receiving data over one or more channels of a plurality of channels from a plurality of stations. The data is recorded by a plurality of seismic receivers and represent measurements of properties of the seismic wavefield. Each station includes a region in space including one or more seismic receivers. Each channel either measures a property of the seismic wavefield or a property of the seismic wavefield after the seismic wavefield has undergone a known transformation. At least one channel is derived as a function of one or more other channels. The technique includes using a processor based machine to process the data to model the seismic wavefield as a sum of basis functions; apply to the basis functions at least one forward transformation that describes the measurements received over the channel(s); and determine optimum basis functions based at least in part on the measurements.

Abstract: A method is described for a manner of geologic analysis using time-lapse seismic data. The method includes steps to produce improved amplitude versus angle (AVA) information that may be used for analysis of geologic features of interest including estimation of pore fluid content and changes in the pore fluid content. The method assesses the probability of hydrocarbons in a subterranean reservoir based on seismic amplitude variations along offsets or angles for portions of a seismic horizon. The method may be executed by a computer system.

Abstract: Deblending and deghosting seismic data may include processing blended seismic data acquired after actuation of a first seismic source located at a first depth and a second seismic source located at a second depth. The processing may comprise deblending and deghosting the blended seismic data based on a difference in ghost responses of the first seismic source and the second seismic source.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods for modeling behavior of at least one fluid in a reservoir are disclosed. The techniques can include obtaining measurements of physical parameters, including pressure, at locations within the reservoir, and discretizing, based on a three-dimensional fine grid, a system of partial differential mass balance equations that model, based on the measurements, at least the physical parameters at the locations within the reservoir, such that a system of nonlinear equations is produced. The techniques can include iterating from a current time step to a next time step, such that a solution to the system of nonlinear equations for a time interval that includes the current time step and the next time step is produced. The iterating can include an adaptive multi-fidelity multiscale technique that employs multiple restriction operators, prolongation operators, and coarse grids, to model various computationally challenging reservoir features, behaviors, or both.

Abstract: Methods of geophysical modeling and inversion are disclosed. A sparse domain is defined for a geophysical model, over which a sparse model result is computed. A full model result is then resolved by interpolation over the sparse domain. The full model result may be used as the forward modeling result in a geophysical inversion process. Reconstruction error, or model error, or both may be used to adjust the sparse domain, the model, or the geophysical basis of the model.

Abstract: Properties of underground formations are obtained by performing simultaneous geostatistical inversion of two or more seismic datasets acquired over the same area. These methods enable simultaneous estimating quantitative changes in a hydrocarbon-producing field.

Abstract: Systems and methods for to two dimensional gravity modeling with variable densities are disclosed. The methods may include a method of modeling the density of a subsurface formation is disclosed. The methods may include generating a plurality of cells in a cross section of density values corresponding to a subsurface formation. The methods may further include assigning a density value to each cell. The methods may further include calculating a gravity effect for each cell based upon the density value. The methods may further include recording the gravity effect for each cell in a data structure.

Abstract: A cloud based storage system and methods for uploading and accessing 3-D data partitioned across distributed storage nodes of the system. The data cube is processed to identify discrete partitions thereof, which partitions may be organized according to the x (e.g., inline), y (e.g., crossline) and/or z (e.g., time) aspects of the cube. The partitions are stored in unique storage nodes associated with unique keys. Sub-keys may also be used as indexes to specific data values or collections of values (e.g., traces) within a partition. Upon receiving a request, the proper partitions and values within the partitions are accessed, and the response may be passed to a renderer that converts the values into an image displayable at a client device. The request may also facilitate data or image access at a local cache, a remote cache, or the storage partitions using location, data, retrieval, and/or rendering parameters.

Abstract: A method of determining a migration pathway of a subterranean fluid through a geological volume is provided. The starting object is located within the geological volume. The starting object defines an initial fluid boundary. Data points are distributed through the geological volume. The data points are associated with values of one or more geological attributes. The method includes the steps of: defining an expression which determines a change in position of the fluid boundary at the data points over an iteration based on the values of the one or more attributes; and applying the expression at the data points for successive iterations to evolve the fluid boundary over the successive iterations. The migration pathway of the subterranean fluid through the geological volume can then be determined from the evolution of the fluid boundary.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a physical parameter map in a zone of a seismic image. The dip of points of the image is obtained. For one of these points, called second point, a correction factor of a physical parameter is obtained with a residual move-out algorithm from a common image gather. A first point is selected on a line substantially perpendicular to the dip at the second point. The selection involves at least one parameter among whether the difference between the dip at the second point and the dip at the first point is below a first preset value; and the spacing between the first and the second point is below a second preset value. An inversion algorithm gives a corrected interval value of the physical parameter to update the physical parameter map.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downhole signal filtering. A method for downhole signal filtering may comprise defining outliers as isolated values; providing thresholds; determining the outliers from a buffer; computing a difference in slowness between adjacent pairs of values; comparing the adjacent pairs of values to other values in a same window; determining if the adjacent pairs of values vary more than the threshold; assigning a 2D flag array a value of 0 if the adjacent pairs of values vary more than the threshold; and computing a 75% percentile distribution for each adjacent pair of values to determine if each adjacent pair of values are the outliers.

Abstract: A software defined platform is provided for subsea acoustic applications that utilizes a broadband phased array transducer and a configurable, multi-function software defined transducer that is configurable on the fly to enable various subsea acoustic systems to be achieved in a single unit thus reducing the space required on the vessel and the cost of having such multiple functions.

Abstract: A method for aligning a plurality of seismic images associated with a subsurface region of the Earth may include receiving the seismic images and determining a first respective relative shift volume between a first seismic image and a second seismic image, a second respective relative shift volume between the first seismic image and a third seismic image, and a third respective relative shift volume between the second seismic image and the third seismic image. The method may include determining a first shift volume associated with the first seismic image and a second shift volume associated with the second seismic image based on the first, second, and third respective relative shift volumes. The method may then apply the first shift volume to the first seismic image and the second shift volume to the second seismic image.

Abstract: A method for predicting short-term cloud coverage includes a computer calculating an estimated cloud velocity field at a current time value based on sky images. The computer determines a segmented cloud model based on the sky images, a future sun location corresponding to a future time value, and sun pixel locations at the future time value based on the future sun location. Next, the computer applies a back-propagation algorithm to the sun pixel locations using the estimated cloud velocity field to yield propagated sun pixel locations corresponding to a previous time value. Then, the computer predicts cloud coverage for the future sun location based on the propagated sun pixel locations and the segmented cloud model.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamic positioning (DP) of marine instrumented cables. By means of a model predictive adaptive controller the power control output of a nominal controller is compensated and therethrough one achieve a more rapid and precise controlling of the control devices and accordingly the instrumented cables.

Abstract: Computing device, computer instructions and method for up-down separation of seismic data. The method includes receiving the seismic data, which includes hydrophone data and particle motion data; performing a first up-down separation, which is independent of a ghost model, using as input the hydrophone data and the particle motion data, to obtain first up-down separated data; performing a second up-down separation by using as input a combination of (i) the hydrophone data and/or the particle motion data and (ii) the first up-down separated data, wherein an output of the second up-down separation is second up-down separated data; and generating an image of the subsurface based on the second up-down separated data.

Abstract: A seismic modeling system may include a seismic model data storage device, and a processor cooperating with the seismic model data storage device to determine a first 3D boundary around a suspect region within a first seismic model spatial domain data set for a geological formation at a first time, and determine a second 3D boundary around the suspect region within a second seismic model spatial domain data set for the geological formation at a second time and after movement of the suspect region. The processor may also compare the second 3D boundary to the first 3D boundary to determine an overlapping portion where the first and second 3D boundary regions overlap, and at least one non-overlapping portion where the first and second 3D boundaries do not overlap, and inpaint the overlapping portion based upon the at least one non-overlapping portion.

Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for seismic data processing. The method may receive seismic data for a region of interest. The seismic data may be acquired in a seismic survey. The method may receive a summation that is based on a particle motion velocity component of a seismic wavefield in the vertical direction and the pressure component of the seismic wavefield. The method may predict an upgoing pressure component of the seismic wavefield for the region of interest. The method may compare the predicted upgoing pressure component to the received seismic data that corresponds to the received summation. The method may update the predicted upgoing pressure component based on the comparison. The method may use the updated upgoing pressure component in hydrocarbon exploration or production for the region of interest.

Abstract: A method is herein presented to statistically combine multiple seismic attributes for generating a map of the spatial density of fractures. According to an embodiment a first step involves interpreting the formation of interest in 3D seismic volume first to create its time structure map. The second step is creating depth structure of the formation of interest from its time structure map. In this application geostatistical methods have been used for depth conversional, although other methods could be used instead. The third step is extraction of a number of attributes, such as phase, frequency and amplitudes, from the time structure map. The next step is to project the fracture density onto the top of the target formation. The final step is to combine these attributes using a statistical method known as Multi-variant non-linear regression to predict fracture density.

Abstract: The invention is a method for exploiting a subterranean medium, according to an exploitation scheme defined on a representation of the medium based on a two-dimensional grid representing the subterranean medium. The quality of the mesh cells of the grid is optimized by displacing the nodes of the grid by a procedure for minimizing the deformation of the grid by generating a reference grid; imposing a displacement of at least one node, termed a rigid node, of the reference grid on a corresponding node in the grid to be optimized; and constructing an optimized two-dimensional grid by displacement of the other nodes of the reference grid, while minimizing the displacement field of the nodes.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a seismic dataset from a survey, wherein the seismic dataset represents a portion of a subsurface geological formation and includes primary and multiple data. The method further includes the steps of conditioning the seismic dataset and estimating a model of the multiple data in the conditioned seismic dataset based on a user-defined parameter to derive a primary data set. Further, the method includes the steps of computing a velocity model from the primary data set using the user-defined parameter and updating the estimated multiple model based at least on a modification of the user-defined parameter. In addition, the method includes the steps of recomputing the primary data and the velocity model based on the modified user-defined parameter and generating an image of the primary data.

Abstract: A trained neural network that is configured to generate predictions for periods of time in the future based on input data can be received, where the neural network is trained using training data that includes time series data segmented into windows. Observed time series data can be processed to generate the input data. Using the trained neural network and the generated input data, data predictions can be generated. The predictions can be provided to a reinforcement learning model configured to generate predicted outcomes, where the reinforcement learning model varies parameters to simulate conditions for a first and second entity, and an artificial intelligence agent simulates actions performed by one of the first and second entities, the data predictions being a parameter for the simulation. Parameters for the first and second entities can be selected, where the selected parameters correspond to a predicted outcome that meets a criteria.

Abstract: Method of estimating azimuthal amplitude gradient is disclosed. This method uses a correlation of seismic attributes within a sliding volume of data to obtain azimuthal gradient.

Abstract: A technique facilitates slowness estimation in accordance with dispersion information in a sonic logging tool. The technique may be used for processing dispersive waveforms in real-time. In this embodiment, the technique utilizes a sonic transmitter and a sonic receiver array in the logging tool. The technique also includes use of a memory and a processor mounted in the logging tool, for converting dispersive waveforms into slowness of the formation and/or fluid in accordance with dispersion information stored in the memory. Additionally, the technique may utilize a telemetry system for sending the formation slowness data and/or quality control indicators to the surface.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems for evaluating formation geometry and petrophysical properties directly from raw electromagnetic measurements. The methods involve using a downhole tool to measure a property of a formation at multiple depths of investigation and calculating geometry and petrophysical property information by direct inversion from raw measurements acquired by the tool. The system includes a tool for measuring a formation property at different depths of investigation and a processor for calculating geometry and petrophysical information by direct inversion from the raw measurements acquired by the tool.

Abstract: A method is described for creating a petro-elastic model including receiving, at a computer processor, well log data; computing in situ rock properties; calculating dry frame moduli for a range of porosities based on a rock physics model such as a modified critical porosity model; performing fluid substitutions and computing elastic properties by statistical sampling for the range of porosities; creating a petro-elastic model in a seismic domain; and identifying and producing target hydrocarbon reservoirs based on the petro-elastic model. The method may be executed by a computer system.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, subsurface ray directions in beam migration or subsurface wave propagation directions in reverse time migrations are used to obtain additional Specular Filter (SF) and Dip Oriented Partial Imaging (DOPI) images. SF migration applies a specular imaging condition during migration with a pre-specified subsurface dip field. It boosts the S/N ratio in both images and gathers, by effectively removing migration noise. DOPI images are produced by decomposing a standard migration image according to subsurface dip inclination or/and dip azimuth groups, providing various views of the subsurface image. Both SF and DOPI migration images can supply valuable additional information compared to a standard migration image, and they can be efficiently generated during migration.

Abstract: A method of producing liquid ore includes identifying a region of the geologic formation containing liquid ore based on at least one of a breach in a basement rock of the geologic formation or a seismographic dim-out within a sedimentary bed of the geologic formation. The liquid ore is then extracted from the geologic formation through a wellbore in communication with the region of the geologic formation. Extracted liquid ore may subsequently be processed to precipitate elements within the liquid ore. Such processing may include, among other things, contacting the liquid ore with a proton acceptor and separating a carbonate from a carbonate mixture derived from the liquid ore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for marine surveying including towing an electromagnetic source having an electromagnetic cross-talk zone and an entanglement zone; towing a plurality of pieces of seismic equipment, wherein each piece of seismic equipment is towed outside of the electromagnetic cross-talk zone and the entanglement zone; actuating the electromagnetic source; and while actuating the electromagnetic source, acquiring seismic survey data with the plurality of pieces of seismic equipment.

Abstract: The present disclosure 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: Oil or gas fields and associated facilities are computer simulated by solving linear algebraic equations using a Schwarz method with at least one well node included in the overlap. According to another aspect, equations for the wellbore nodes are processed to eliminate some non-pressure variables, e.g. component compositions. Other features are also provided.

Abstract: Method and system for 3-D imaging of subterranean geologic structures based on seismic data interpretations involves correcting mis-ties that arise as a result of orthogonal polylines failing to intersect due to inconsistencies in seismic interpretations. In some embodiments, the mis-ties may be corrected by adding a data point from one polyline at or near the mis-tie to the other polyline, and vice versa for the other polyline. The two data points are then adjusted so they coincide or merge. The merged data point is then used as intersection points for the polylines and associated with one another such that a change made to one intersection point is automatically made to the other intersection point. In some embodiments, one or more neighboring data points on each polyline are adjusted to smooth out the polyline at the point of the corrected mis-tie.

Abstract: Visually enhancing a geological feature in 3D seismic survey data may include selecting a first seismic trace from a 3D seismic survey dataset. Said first seismic trace is subdivided into a plurality of identified characteristic segments. At least one first analytical model function is generated for each of said plurality of identified characteristic segments. At least one adapted wavelet from an existing dictionary is utilized. A matching characteristic is determined between said first seismic trace and said at least one first analytical model function. Said at least one first analytical model function is optimized with respect to said matching characteristic. Both determining a matching characteristic, and optimizing said at least one first analytical model function, are repeated until a predetermined condition is met. A model dataset is generated from said optimized at least one first analytical model function for at least part of said first seismic trace for visual representation.