Abstract: A system and method for performing stimulation operations at a wellsite having a subterranean formation with of a reservoir therein is provided. The method involves performing reservoir characterization to generate a mechanical earth model based on integrated petrophysical, geomechanical and geophysical data. The method also involves generating a stimulation plan by performing well planning, a staging design, a stimulation design and a production prediction based on the mechanical earth model. The stimulation design is optimized by repeating the well planning, staging design, stimulation design, and production prediction in a feedback loop until an optimized stimulation plan is generated.

Abstract: A method of controlling seismic data acquisition includes synchronizing a sampling rate of at least one node configured to acquire seismic data with a GPS timing signal from a first GPS seismic device; and delaying sending a start signal to one or more seismic sources, the delay being with reference to a GPS timing signal from a second GPS device.

Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method for in-field configuration of land survey sensors. One or more planned positions of the sensors may be received. One or more actual positions of the sensors may be determined. The actual positions may be sent to the sensors while the sensors are powered off.

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: The invention is a method for extrapolating missing near-offset seismic data (101) so that the data may be used, for example, in SRME or another multiple-reflection elimination method. The invention uses the reciprocity principle (102) to relate two seismic states (acoustic or elastic) that can occur in a time-invariant, bounded domain in space. One of these states represents the physical experiment for the acquisition of the actual seismic data where near-offset traces are missing, and the other state represents a synthetic experiment with no missing near offset traces, computer-generated on a much simpler earth model. The reciprocity relationship used to relate these two states is iteratively inverted for the missing near-offset traces (103), preferably using only part of the synthetic data (102) so as to reduce inversion artifacts. The reference model acts as a constraint on the near-offset extrapolation.

Abstract: Method for quantitatively assessing connectivity for well pairs at varying frequencies. A time series of measurements (12) is chosen for each of the two wells such that the particular measurements will be sensitive to subsurface connectivity if it exists (11). The two time series may then be pre-processed by resampling to time intervals commensurate with response time between the two wells (13), detrending the measurements (14), and detecting and eliminating spiking noises (15). Then the time series are transformed to the frequency domain where coherence and phase between the two series are compared for varying frequencies (16). This comparison is used to make a determination of connectivity.

Abstract: A model for predicting fracturing in shale can minimize surface disruption, protect groundwater, maximize efficiency of hydraulic fracturing, and manage fluids used in unconventional gas development. The model provides a more comprehensive understanding of the geological, geophysical, and geomechanical properties of shales and imbeds these properties in geomechanical computer simulations to predict both the reservoir performance from the fracturing, and the associated microseismic events generated by fracturing. Since the geological and geophysical properties can be estimated from surface seismic, well logs, and geologic concepts with regional context; the performance of the fracturing can be predicted and optimized. Since the microseismic events can be predicted with the model, the simulations can be verified and the model can be updated to be consistent with the observed microseismic.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for performing time-lapse monitor surveys with sparsely sampled monitor data sets (11). An accurate 3D representation (e.g., image) of a target area (e.g., a hydrocarbon bearing subsurface reservoir) is constructed using the sparsely sampled monitor data set (e.g., seismic data set). The sparsely sampled monitor data set may be so limited that it alone is insufficient to generate an accurate 3D representation of the target area, but accuracy is achieved through use of certain external information (14). The external information may include predetermined base survey data from a first time that is used (12) to interpolate data that is not recorded in the sparsely sampled monitor data set to derive a fully sampled monitor data set that can be processed (e.g., using conventional processing techniques) for determining an accurate representation of the target area at a second time.

Abstract: A method for reconstituting a signal due to a flow distortion in a mud-pulse telemetry system, having steps of obtaining at least one parameter to be transmitted by a transmitter to a receiver through the mud-pulse telemetry system, estimating a change in a flow rate in a borehole fluid along a trajectory of the mud-pulse telemetry system undergoing a fluid distortion, estimating a Doppler rate of the signal traveling through the borehole fluid along the trajectory of the mud-pulse telemetry system, calculating a Doppler compensation value for the signal sent along the trajectory in the borehole fluid, transmitting the signal of the at least one parameter through the mud-pulse telemetry system, receiving a portion of the signal of the at least one parameter and reconstituting at least a portion of the signal using the Doppler compensation value.

Abstract: A system and method for performing stimulation operations at a wellsite having a subterranean formation with of a reservoir therein is provided. The method involves generating a plurality of quality indicators from a plurality of logs, and combining the plurality of quality indicators to form a composite quality indicator. The plurality of stress blocks may then be merged using diversion criterion. The composite quality indicator may be combined with the merged stress blocks to form a combined stress and composite quality indicator, the combined stress and composite quality indicator comprising a plurality of blocks with boundaries therebetween. The method may further comprise defining stages along the combined stress and composite quality indicator based on the diverter-assisted stage classifications; and selectively positioning perforations in select stages based on the diverter-assisted stage classifications thereon.

Abstract: An event data processing apparatus calculates a meeting person number difference which is a difference in the number of meeting persons between a first number of meeting persons at a first time and a second number of meeting persons at a second time, determines that a continuous communication is conducted between the first time and the second time if the meeting person number difference is equal to or smaller than a meeting person number threshold value which is a predetermined threshold value, and records persons included in the first number of meeting persons and the second number of meeting persons, the first time, and the second time in association with event identifiers for identifying events in a recording module.

Abstract: A seismic survey design generation method is disclosed for generating seismic survey design data for performing a seismic survey. The survey design data purposefully violates Freznel zone constraints related to source and/or receiver bin sizes by providing exceptionally small bin sizes. In particular, the seismic survey design generation method and apparatus therefor generates seismic survey design data where the Freznel zone constraints are violated in order to obtain enhanced resolution seismic images not possible in the prior art.

Abstract: Prior information describing a distribution of values of a parameter relating to physical characteristic of a target structure is received. Acquired survey data of the target structure is received. Using a probabilistic technique, the prior information and the survey data is assimilated to produce an estimated property of the target structure.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for seismic imaging implements a seismic imaging algorithm utilizing Reverse Time Migration technique requiring large communication bandwidth and low latency to convert a parallel problem into one solved using massive domain partitioning. Several aspects of the imaging problem are addressed, including very regular and local communication patterns, balanced compute and communication requirements, scratch data handling and multiple-pass approaches. The partitioning of the velocity model into processing blocks allows each sub-problem to fit in a local cache, increasing locality and bandwidth and reducing latency. The RTM seismic data processing utilizes data that includes combined shot data, i.e., shot data selected from amongst a plurality of shots that are combined at like spatial points of the volume.

Abstract: A group of techniques can be used to determine if components of a seismic spread have deviated from a planned path during a coil or other curved and substantially circular acquisition pattern. In one aspect, and in general, the presently disclosed techniques include a computer-readable program storage medium for determining the deviation of spread array element from a planned curved path during a towed-array marine seismic survey. The method comprises: determining a nominal position of the spread array element at a given point in the planned curved path; determining the actual position of the spread array element; and performing an error analysis predicated on the nominal and actual positions.

Abstract: The current document is directed to computational systems and methods carried out by the computational systems for propagating a combined source-and-receiver wavefield from a first level to a next, second level with respect to depth, time, or another dimension. The methods and systems, to which the current document is directed, apply an efficient complex, combined-source-and-receiver-wavefield propagation operator to a complex combined-source-and-receiver wavefield in order to propagate the complex combined-source-and-receiver wavefield to the next level. Real source and receiver wavefields at the next, second level can then be extracted from the complex combined-source-and-receiver wavefield at the next level.

Abstract: A technique includes processing seismic data indicative of samples of at least one measured seismic signal in a processor-based machine to, in an iterative process, determine basis functions, which represent a constructed seismic signal. The technique includes in each iteration of the iterative process, selecting another basis function of the plurality of basis functions. The selecting includes based at least in part on the samples and a current version of the constructed seismic signal, determining a cost function; and interpreting the cost function based at least in part on a predicted energy distribution of the constructed seismic signal to select the basis function.

Abstract: Methods of generating structural models of highly deviated or horizontal wells may be generated from the measurement of true stratigraphic thickness in three dimensions (TST3D). In one aspect, methods may include generating a structural model from one or more deviation surveys of a horizontal well, one or more single channel log measurements, and a three-dimensional reference surface.

Abstract: A technique includes processing seismic data indicative of samples of at least one measured seismic signal in a processor-based machine to determine basis functions that represent a constructed seismic signal based at least in part on a matching pursuit-based technique. The technique further includes basing the determination of the basis functions at least in part on a predicted energy distribution of the constructed seismic signal.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide systems and methods for using ballast sensors to detect rock fall events in a vicinity of railway tracks or similar roadways or tracks. The ballast sensors are spaced apart from the tracks. Particular embodiments permit the use of signals from the ballast sensors to discriminate rock fall events from other types of events and to detect the hypocenter of a rock fall event.

Abstract: A method and system are described for identifying a geologic object through cross sections of a geologic data volume. The method includes obtaining a geologic data volume having a set of cross sections. Then, two or more cross sections are selected and a transformation vector is estimated between the cross sections. Based on the transformation vector, a geologic object is identified within the geologic data volume.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method for analyzing microseismic events associated with hydraulic fracturing detects a new microseismic event and assigns it to a cluster of other events having similar characteristics. Cluster characteristic(s), e.g., average event(s), average source mechanisms, and/or average locations, are updated and used to characterize a future microseismic events.

Abstract: Method for using a non-stationary, multi-scale domain transformation to combine multiple geophysical data sources, for example seismic data and well log data, into one coherent reservoir model. The seismic data are inverted (71) to obtain one or more geophysical properties which are converted using petrophysical relationships to a subsurface model of a reservoir property such as porosity or shale volume fraction. The well log data are used to generate a geostatistical forward model (72) of the reservoir property. Both models of the reservoir property are transformed to a joint space/scale domain, of order >1, where processing is applied (73) to merge the models into a coherent way into a single model before inverse transforming back to the space domain (74). The transform is a non-stationary multi-scale transform such as a wavelet, ridgelet, or curvelet transform. The processing may be by, for example, information theory or convex combination.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method for transforming petrophysical properties into seismic attributes are disclosed herein. Embodiments of the method utilize an AVO expression which maps lithology to P-wave reflectivity at a particular angle through their ?/? values (or equivalent elastic properties K/? and ?). Rocks with different ?/? will be projected to the different angle and reflectivity. The equation which transforms ?/? to reflection angle may be referred to as a Generalized Angle Transform Equation (GATE). Further details and advantages of various embodiments of the method are described in more herein.

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: Spatial sampling is a key factor in determining acquisition parameters for seismic surveys. Acquiring the data to meet spatial sampling requirements for low, mid and high frequencies, by acquiring coarse, medium and fine acquisition grids respectively and layering these during processing, can result in reduced cost and/or higher quality surveys.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for evaluating a geoscience data analysis question. The user inputs the question to the computer through a graphical user interface or a text command interface (11). The computer is programmed to derive a statistical measure for evaluating the question (12). One or more data elements (14) are inputted to the computer, and the derived statistical measure is applied to the data elements and computed (13).

Abstract: A system and method for regularizing irregularly sampled 5D seismic data by assigning each trace to a common midpoint bin and mapping each trace to an offset vector tile (OVT) with a calculated center azimuth; assembling an azimuth sector with all offsets of interest and a narrow range of the center azimuths from the OVTs; rotating the azimuth sector to align with an inline direction and a crossline dimension; selecting a subset of traces with a single crossline value to create an irregular 3D volume; regularizing the irregular 3D volume; and repeating as necessary to generate a regularly sampled seismic dataset. The regularization may include interpolation by an algorithm such as an anti-leakage Fourier interpolator. The regularly sampled seismic dataset may be used to characterize the subsurface by further processing such as tomography.

Abstract: A method is provided of processing data representing a physical system, the method comprising: providing (P2) input data representing differences in the physical system between a first state and a second state of the physical system; and inverting (P5) the input data, or data derived therefrom, in accordance with a parameterised model (PI) of the physical system to obtain differences in the parameters of the model between the first state and the second state, with parameters of the model representing properties of the physical system; wherein the inverting step is performed (P3 to P6) for a plurality of different perturbations (P4) of the parameterised model and/or of the data to obtain a plurality of sets of differences in the parameters of the model; and wherein a statistical analysis (P7) of the plurality of sets of differences is performed to obtain statistical characteristics of the differences in the parameters of the model.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of methods and systems for determining the orientation and direction of first motion of a fault or fracture by optimizing an azimuthally-dependent attribute of signals generated by microseismic sources, comprising: recording microseismic data traces using a of sensors located at a plurality of sensor positions; subdividing the subsurface volume into spatial volumes corresponding to selected time intervals and comprising a plurality of voxels; for each voxel, applying a time shift to the microseismic data traces that is substantially equal to a travel time from each voxel to the corresponding sensor position, and determining for the voxel the orientation and direction of first motion of the fault or fracture corresponding to a maximum value for the voxel of at least one azimuthally-dependent attribute of the microseismic data traces.

Abstract: Techniques for estimating velocity ahead of a drill bit include generating seismic waves at a surface from at least two different source positions in the vicinity of a borehole, receiving seismic waves reflected from a reflector ahead of the drill bit at one or more locations in the borehole, determining travel times of the seismic waves received at the one or more locations in the borehole, and inverting the travel times to determine a velocity of a formation ahead of the drill bit. One embodiment includes transforming the velocity into pore pressure of the formation.

Abstract: Seismic displacement demands for design of a bridge frame structure are typically determined from linear-elastic analysis (LEA), which are often incorrect, and compared to displacement capacity from a nonlinear pushover analysis. Nonlinear time-history analysis (NTHA) provides the most realistic assessment of displacement demands because it properly models the physics of the dynamic problem, wherein stiffness of the bridge varies over time. However, using NTHA to determine a bridge response from multiple earthquake motions based on the stiffness method requires excessive time. A unique approach for determining the nonlinear time-history response of a bridge frame is disclosed that is thousands of times faster than the stiffness method while providing the same results. Computational efficiency allows bridge design engineers to use NTHA for the seismic design of bridge structures by producing multiple determinations in less than one second.

Abstract: Methods, computing systems, and computer-readable media for processing seismic data. The method may include obtaining a model of a subterranean domain, and determining one or more synthetic waveforms for one or more events located in the subterranean domain, based at least partially on the model. The method may also include identifying, using a processor, one or more arrival waves in the one or more synthetic waveforms, wherein at least one of the one or more arrivals represents a mode-converted wave, and generating a processing chain for determining at least a location of an event in the subterranean domain based at least partially on the at least one mode-converted wave.

Abstract: Disclosed vertical seismic profiling (VSP) survey systems and method acquire multi-component signal data and represent the signal data in terms of a combination of parameterized compression, shear, and dispersive wavefields. Multiples of each wavefield type may be included, e.g., to separate upgoing and downgoing wavefield components. A nonlinear optimization is employed to concurrently estimate an incidence angle and a slowness value for each wavefield. For the dispersive wavefield(s), the slowness may be parameterized in terms of a phase slowness and a group slowness with respect to a central wave frequency. The parameter values may vary as a function of depth.

Abstract: A method can include receiving data sets where each of the data sets corresponds to one of a plurality of individual emitter-detector arrangements; calculating a multi-dimensional similarity metric for one of the data sets; and, based at least in part on the multi-dimensional similarity metric, assessing the one data set.

Abstract: Geologic information may be extracted from multiple offset stacks and/or angle stacks. Offset stacks and/or angle stacks may be received that represent energy that has propagated through a geologic volume of interest from energy sources to energy receivers. Attribute volumes associated with individual source-receiver offsets and/or source-receiver angles may be determined based on corresponding offset stacks and/or angle stacks. For individual offset stacks or angle stacks, corresponding sets of geologic features represented in the attribute volumes may be identified. The sets of geologic features corresponding to the different offset stacks and/or angle stacks to may be compared to determine discrepancies and/or similarities between the sets of geologic features corresponding to the different offset stacks and/or angle stacks. Stratigraphic interpretations, stratigraphic predictions, and/or other interpretations and/or predictions may be determined based on causes of the discrepancies and/or similarities.

Abstract: A data set comprises data obtained by seismic imaging of a region of interest during an observation period. An intrinsic geological variability of a region is determined from the comparison of reception signals for neighbour bins as a function of a difference in signal geometry for the neighbour bins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for using head waves to greatly improve microseismic event localization accuracy, particularly in the depth dimension, by analyzing them in addition to direct path arrivals whenever they are observed. Embodiments of the invention also include techniques known as multipath analysis.

Abstract: Techniques for surface exploration and monitoring are presented. In representative embodiments, a system is provided that cars perform multiple types of measurements of a surface. For example a single system of survey probes and one or more survey controllers can be used to offer both seismic and electrical measurements. A survey controller can be configured to automatically poll survey probes to obtain identifiers of the probes aid determine a relative order the probes. Survey probes can be configured to: (a) collect signals associated with a surface; (b) digitize the signals to form digital data; and (c) store the digital data for later transmission to the survey controller. Relative positions of survey probes can be automatically determined using a transmitting beacon or other techniques. Survey probes can automatically disconnect from a power conduit while measuring a surface property and operate using an internal source of power when disconnected, to reduce noise.

Abstract: A method of determining a search expression describing a feature of interest in a set of data points distributed throughout a geological object is provided. Each data point contains a value for a geological attribute at that point. The search expression has a plurality of entries. The method including the steps of: (i) displaying the geological object using display codings corresponding to value subranges for the geological attribute such that all data points which have values for the geological attribute falling within a given value subrange are displayed with the same coding; (ii) selecting a plurality of data points of the feature of interest; and (iii) allocating value characters to entries of the search expression, the value characters corresponding to the value subranges for the geological attribute of the selected data points.

Abstract: A shot interval between activations of at least one frequency-controllable survey source is determined, where the shot interval is determined based on an expected frequency of an output of the at least one frequency-controllable survey source. The at least one frequency-controllable survey source is activated using the determined first shot interval.

Abstract: A method for analyzing seismic data by generating a post-migration common image gather in a dip angle domain from measured seismic data; detecting concave features related to reflection events in the common image gather and apexes; filtering out part of the concave features in the common image gather in a vicinity of the detected apexes; applying a hybrid Radon transform to the filtered common image gather to separate residues of the concave features from other image features related to diffraction events; and applying an inverse hybrid Radon transform to an image containing the separated features related to diffraction events to obtain a transformed common image gather in the dip angle domain.

Abstract: A method of attenuating interbed multiples in multiply-reflected seismic waves is performed at a computer system, the method comprising: providing multiple beams of seismic data and an earth model related to a geological volume; selecting one of the beams as an input beam associated with a pair of source and detector located near a top surface of the geological volume; determining at least one of (i) a source-side stationary pegleg arrival and a corresponding detector-side primary beam and (ii) a detector-side stationary pegleg arrival and a corresponding source-side primary beam; predicting an interbed multiples beam using at least one of (i) the detector-side primary beam delayed by the source-side stationary pegleg arrival and (ii) the source-side primary beam delayed by the detector-side stationary pegleg arrival; and deconvolving the predicted interbed multiples beam with the input beam to remove at least a portion of interbed multiples present in the input beam.

Abstract: A method can include receiving an inside stack and an outside stack; generating a multiple reflections model based at least in part on the inside stack and the outside stack; receiving multidimensional seismic data that includes representations of primary reflections and multiple reflections; and generating processed multidimensional seismic data by applying the multiple reflections model to the multidimensional seismic data. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: Data representing a first multiple is predicted, based on first survey data for a target structure, using a multidimensional model of a layer in which the first multiple occurs. Modified survey data is produced by performing a subtraction of the predicted data representing the first multiple from the first survey data. Based on the modified survey data, data representing a second multiple is predicted using the multidimensional model.

Abstract: Presented are methods and systems for regularizing content of multi-component seismic data. The method includes a step of receiving the seismic data, wherein the seismic data includes pressure and particle motion measurements and a step of regularizing and frequency optimizing the seismic data to desired positions based on Fresnel zones selected at various depths in a subsurface to obtain a regularized seismic dataset.

Abstract: The invention pertains generally to the field of seismicity. The method of the invention provides an objective criteria for decision when determining whether or not the seismic activity (seismicity) occurring within a certain area is induced by human activity, specifically geophysical activity, particularly associated with the mining/extracting industry, or whether the seismicity is naturally occurring. The method can be useful for production companies, regulatory authorities, or insurance companies.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is method of computing formation attributes from acoustic measurements in a borehole. The acoustic measurements can be made by operating an acoustic source at multiple frequencies to excite the formation and operating receivers at multiple, longitudinally spaced receiver stations to receive acoustic energy from the formation. The method can include: deriving phase data from the spectrum of received acoustic signals; unwrapping phase information of the phase spectrum data; determining two or more values of difference of phase between acoustic signals at each of a range of frequencies each based on a single generated signal received at two or more pairs of adjacent said receiver stations; generating a value of slope of phase difference values; and in any case of slope ambiguity, unwrapping phase difference information and deriving a dominant slope, at each frequency, from which slowness of the acoustic signal in the formation can be derived.

Abstract: Method for decomposing a complexly shaped object in a data set, such as a geobody (31) in a seismic data volume, into component objects more representative of the true connectivity state of the system represented by the data set. The geobody is decomposed using a basis set of eigenvectors (33) of a connectivity matrix (32) describing the state of connectivity between voxels in the geobody. Lineal subspaces of the geobody in eigenvector space are associated with likely component objects (34), either by a human interpreter (342) cross plotting (341) two or more eigenvectors, or in an automated manner in which a computer algorithm (344) detects the lineal sub-spaces and the clusters within them.

Abstract: A vibrator-coupled ground filter improves seismic data recorded during a seismic operation. This filter is based on a ground model that takes into consideration the vibrator system, the coupling system between the baseplate and captured ground, and the coupled ground system. Using acceleration data from the baseplate and the reaction mass, the ground model can be used to derive particular variables for the ground model to help characterize the system. Using the derived variables in a ground filter, the recorded seismic data can be corrected to remove errors in the trace data produced by typical assumptions.