1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein generally relate to methods and systems for processing ghosted seismic data and, more particularly, to mechanisms and techniques for residual moveout picking of ghosted seismic data.
2. Discussion of the Background
Seismic data acquisition and processing may be used to generate a profile (image) of geophysical structures under the ground (subsurface). While this profile does not provide an accurate location for oil and gas reservoirs, it suggests, to those trained in the field, the presence or absence of such reservoirs. Thus, providing a high-resolution image of the subsurface is important, for example, to those who need to determine where the oil and gas reservoirs are located.
The seismic processing includes many steps, among which, one is updating the velocity model. The velocity model describes the speed of the seismic waves in the subsurface. It is known that the speed of the seismic waves changes from layer to layer and knowing these changes help improving the accuracy of the final image of the subsurface. Traditionally, an initial velocity model is inaccurate and an iteration process may be used to update the model, based on the recorded seismic data. There are many approaches for updating the velocity model as will be recognized by those skilled in the art. One model computes, by a process called migration, a Common Image Gather (CIG) G(t,h) (or Common Time Gather or Common Depth Gather), where t is the migrated time and h is the offset between the source and the seismic receiver. Parameter t can be replaced by a depth z, and the offset h may be replaced by an angle θ without changing the nature of the described method. An exemplary CIG gather 100 is illustrated in
The migration process relies on the velocity model for migrating the events at their real occurrence. However, the velocity model is constructed based on the output of the migration process. Thus, there is a close connection between determining the velocity model and also generating the correct image of the surveyed subsurface. The velocity model is correct if the gathers exhibit only events that have a horizontal shape. Note that
In order to update the initial velocity model, which again, can be achieved using various known algorithms, a residual moveout function r(τ) need to be calculated, where τ is a time as will be discussed later. The same residual moveout function r(τ) may be used for any velocity model updating process.
For calculating the residual moveout function, an initial step is to compute a complex gather (gather G(t,h) is a real quantity, not a complex quantity) by taking for each h the analytical signal of G(t,h). The analytical signal of G(t,h) is produced by, for example, a Fourier transform that transforms G(t,h) from the time domain t to frequency domain f. Other mathematical transforms may be applied, as for example, a radon transform. Then, the negative frequencies of the Fourier transform of G(t,h) are zeroed, and the positive frequency terms that are left are multiplied by number two. An inverse Fourier transform is applied to this result to end up with a complex gather G(t,h), which is a complex quantity.
Next, a semblance panel (see
where hmax is the maximum offset of the gather. Other residual moveouts may be used.
Having the residual moveout curve, a gather with residual moveout gn(τ,r) is computed by considering the amplitude of the complex gather G(t,h) along moveout curves hn, with n being a natural number between 1 and Nτ and also being the offset value of the gathers. Number Nτ depends with τ because of the mute function 108 shown in
g
n(τ,r)=G[tr(τ,hn),hn] (2)
The semblance panel S of gn for each τ and r pair is now computed based on equation:
and this is illustrated in
Next, the residual moveout curve picking is performed on the semblance panel. The local maxima of the semblance panel are picked, as illustrated in
The residual moveout function r(τ) picked in
g(τ,h)=G[tr(τ,h),h] (4)
which is illustrated in
The velocity model update process described above works well because the initial gather illustrated in
When the streamer is a horizontal streamer at a usual depth of 7 m, the ghost event does not perturb the picking in
Thus, there is a need to have a process that considers the perturbation caused by the ghosts and remove or reduce spurious picks so that the residual moveout function is not degraded.
According to an embodiment, there is a method for processing ghosted seismic data associated with a subsurface of the earth. The method includes receiving the ghosted seismic data; receiving an initial velocity model; computing, in a processor, gathers G and mirror gathers M based on the ghosted seismic data and the initial velocity model; and calculating residual moveout curves r for each gather.
According to another embodiment, there is a method for processing seismic data associated with a subsurface of the earth. The method includes receiving the seismic data; receiving an initial velocity model; computing, in a processor, gathers G and mirror gathers M based on the seismic data and the initial velocity model; transforming the gathers G to complex gathers g and the mirror gathers M to complex mirror gathers m; calculating cross-semblance panels C based on pairs of the complex gathers g and the complex mirror gathers m; and calculating residual moveout curves r for each complex gather.
According to yet another embodiment, there is a computing device for processing ghosted seismic data associated with a subsurface of the earth. The computing device includes an interface configured to receive the ghosted seismic data; and a processor connected to the interface. The processor is configured to receive an initial velocity model; compute gathers G and mirror gathers M based on the ghosted seismic data and the initial velocity model; and calculate residual moveout curves r for each gather.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
The following description of the embodiments refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings identify the same or similar elements. The following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. The following embodiments are discussed, for simplicity, with regard to the terminology and structure of a marine seismic system having a variable-depth streamer. However, the embodiments to be discussed next are not limited to a variable-depth streamer, but they may be applied to horizontal or slanted streamers being towed at a high depth (e.g., over 30 m from the water surface) or to ocean bottom cables or to a system that uses seismic nodes disposed at variable depths, where a seismic node may be an autonomous underwater vehicle.
Reference throughout the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter disclosed. Thus, the appearance of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout the specification is not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
According to an embodiment, there is a method for processing ghosted seismic data associated with a subsurface of the earth. The method includes receiving the ghosted seismic data; receiving an initial velocity model; computing, in a processor, gathers G and mirror gathers M based on the ghosted seismic data and the initial velocity model; and calculating residual moveout curves r for each gather.
For simplicity, a method for residual moveout picking of ghosted seismic data is discussed based on seismic data acquired with a variable-depth streamer. To solve the problem generated by the perturbation caused by the ghosts, two inputs instead of one are used for residual moveout picking. In other words, with regard to the gather 500 (that includes both primary and ghost events) illustrated in
Gathers 500 are computed by migrating the seismic measurements assuming they are made at their actual location (xn,yn,zn). This means that, when the velocity model is correct, the primary events are horizontal in the gather. Gathers 700 are computed using a mirror migration process, which is performed by assuming the seismic measurements are made at the mirror location (xn,yn,−zn), and with a polarity reversal. This means that, when the velocity model is correct, the ghosts events are horizontal, because the mirror migration focuses the ghosts events instead of the primary events. While the mirror migration process has been previously described (see for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,451,682 and 8,456,695, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference), there is no description of a process involving the use of a mirror gather in conjunction with a gather for obtaining a residual moveout curve. Such a novel process is now described.
An advantage of one or more of the embodiments to be discussed next, is that when the velocity model is incorrect, the primary events have given residual moveout (RMO) curves on the migrated gathers, and the ghost events have the same RMO on the mirror migrated gathers. The migrated gathers are perturbed by the ghost events, which arrive after the primary events, while the mirror gathers are perturbed by the primary events, which arrive before the ghost events.
When the velocity model is incorrect, it is difficult to distinguish on the migrated gather the primary events from the ghost events because none of them are horizontal. Thus, the picking of the correct RMO function is difficult because it is easy to misconstrue as horizontal some primary events and some ghost events although they are not horizontal. However, by using both the migrated gathers and the mirror migrated gathers, the events that need to be made horizontal are those present on both types of gathers and this cannot be achieved by using the conventional methods that use a single type of gather.
There are several ways to make horizontal the common part of the migrated gathers and the mirror migrated gathers. For example, it is possible to introduce a novel cross-semblance quantity and maximize the cross-semblance of the migrated gathers G(t,h) and mirror-migrated gathers M(t,h). The migrated gathers G(t,h) and mirror-migrated gathers M(t,h) are made complex (for example, as discussed in the background section) and then gathers with residual moveout gn(τ,r)=G[tr(τ,hn),hn] and mn(τ,r)=M[tr(τ,hn),hn] are calculated. The residual moveout tr(τ,h) used in the gathers with residual moveout may be the one used in equation (1) or another one. Instead of using the conventional semblance S as defined in equation (3), a novel cross-semblance C(τ,r) is introduced to calculate a cross-semblance panel based on both gathers with residual moveout gn and mn. Note that the semblance defined by equation (3) is not capable to simultaneously handle migrated gathers and mirror-migrated gathers while the cross-semblance C(τ,r) can do. One example of a cross-semblance is given by equation (5):
Other cross-semblance formulae may be imagined by those skilled in the art.
Based on the above-described embodiments, a method for updating a velocity model is now presented with regard to
Another method for processing ghosted seismic data associated with a subsurface of the earth is illustrated in
The above processes may be implemented in a land survey (in which the seismic receivers are buried at different depths) or in a marine survey that uses variable-depth streamers or slanted streamers or ocean bottom cables, or seismic nodes that float at different depths. If a marine survey system that uses streamers is employed, it typically has a setup as illustrated in
Streamer 1210 includes plural sensors 1222 (only a few are illustrated in
Source 1230 may include plural source elements 1236 that are connected to a float 1237 to travel at desired depths below the water surface 1204. Source elements may be distributed at the same depth or different depths to obtain a multi-level source array. During operation, vessel 1202 follows a predetermined path T while source elements (usually air guns) 1236 emit seismic waves 1240. These waves bounce off the ocean bottom 1242 and other layer interfaces below the ocean bottom 1242 and propagate as reflected/refracted waves 1244 that are recorded (as primaries) by sensors 1222. However, each primary has an associated ghost 1246c, which corresponds to another wave 1246a generated by source 1230, reflected as wave 1246b from the ocean bottom 1242, and then further reflected from the water surface 1204.
The above methods and others may be implemented in a computing system specifically configured to calculate the subsurface image. An example of a representative computing system capable of carrying out operations in accordance with the exemplary embodiments is illustrated in
The exemplary computing system 1300 suitable for performing the activities described in the exemplary embodiments may include a server 1301. Such a server 1301 may include a central processor (CPU) 1302 coupled to a random access memory (RAM) 1304 and to a read-only memory (ROM) 1306. ROM 1306 may also be other types of storage media to store programs, such as programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), etc. Processor 1302 may communicate with other internal and external components through input/output (I/O) circuitry 1308 and bussing 1310, to provide control signals and the like. Processor 1302 carries out a variety of functions as are known in the art, as dictated by software and/or firmware instructions.
The server 1301 may also include one or more data storage devices, including a disk drive 1312, CD-ROM drives 1314, and other hardware capable of reading and/or storing information such as DVD, etc. In one embodiment, software for carrying out the above-discussed steps may be stored and distributed on a CD- or DVD-ROM 1316, removable memory device 1318 or other form of media capable of portably storing information. These storage media may be inserted into, and read by, devices such as the CD-ROM drive 1314, the disk drive 1312, etc. The server 1301 may be coupled to a display 1320, which may be any type of known display or presentation screen, such as LCD, LED displays, plasma displays, cathode ray tubes (CRT), etc. A user input interface 1322 is provided, including one or more user interface mechanisms such as a mouse, keyboard, microphone, touchpad, touch screen, voice-recognition system, etc.
The server 1301 may be coupled to other computing devices, such as landline and/or wireless terminals, via a network. The server may be part of a larger network configuration as in a global area network (GAN) such as the Internet 1328, which allows ultimate connection to various landline and/or mobile client devices. The computing device may be implemented on a vehicle that performs a land seismic survey.
The disclosed exemplary embodiments provide a system and a method for using migrated gathers and migrated mirror gathers. It should be understood that this description is not intended to limit the invention. On the contrary, the exemplary embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which are included in the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Further, in the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the claimed invention. However, one skilled in the art would understand that various embodiments may be practiced without such specific details.
Although the features and elements of the present exemplary embodiments are described in the embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements disclosed herein.
This written description uses examples of the subject matter disclosed to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the same, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the subject matter is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61772186 | Mar 2013 | US |