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Title: Multi-crosswell profile 3D imaging and method

Abstract

Characterizing the value of a particular property, for example, seismic velocity, of a subsurface region of ground is described. In one aspect, the value of the particular property is represented using at least one continuous analytic function such as a Chebychev polynomial. The seismic data may include data derived from at least one crosswell dataset for the subsurface region of interest and may also include other data. In either instance, data may simultaneously be used from a first crosswell dataset in conjunction with one or more other crosswell datasets and/or with the other data. In another aspect, the value of the property is characterized in three dimensions throughout the region of interest using crosswell and/or other data. In still another aspect, crosswell datasets for highly deviated or horizontal boreholes are inherently useful. The method is performed, in part, by fitting a set of vertically spaced layer boundaries, represented by an analytic function such as a Chebychev polynomial, within and across the region encompassing the boreholes such that a series of layers is defined between the layer boundaries. Initial values of the particular property are then established between the layer boundaries and across the subterranean region using a series of continuousmore » analytic functions. The continuous analytic functions are then adjusted to more closely match the value of the particular property across the subterranean region of ground to determine the value of the particular property for any selected point within the region.

Inventors:
 [1];  [2];  [3]
  1. Houston, TX
  2. (Kensington, CA)
  3. Seattle, WA
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
TomoSeis Inc., Houston, TX (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
874439
Patent Number(s):
6388947
Assignee:
TomoSeis, Inc. (Houston, TX)
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01V - GEOPHYSICS
DOE Contract Number:  
FG02-94ER86019
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
multi-crosswell; profile; 3d; imaging; method; characterizing; value; property; example; seismic; velocity; subsurface; region; ground; described; aspect; represented; continuous; analytic; function; chebychev; polynomial; data; derived; crosswell; dataset; instance; simultaneously; conjunction; datasets; andor; characterized; dimensions; throughout; highly; deviated; horizontal; boreholes; inherently; useful; performed; fitting; set; vertically; spaced; layer; boundaries; encompassing; series; layers; defined; initial; values; established; subterranean; functions; adjusted; closely; match; determine; selected; surface region; subsurface region; /367/

Citation Formats

Washbourne, John K, Rector, III, James W., and Bube, Kenneth P. Multi-crosswell profile 3D imaging and method. United States: N. p., 2002. Web.
Washbourne, John K, Rector, III, James W., & Bube, Kenneth P. Multi-crosswell profile 3D imaging and method. United States.
Washbourne, John K, Rector, III, James W., and Bube, Kenneth P. Tue . "Multi-crosswell profile 3D imaging and method". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/874439.
@article{osti_874439,
title = {Multi-crosswell profile 3D imaging and method},
author = {Washbourne, John K and Rector, III, James W. and Bube, Kenneth P},
abstractNote = {Characterizing the value of a particular property, for example, seismic velocity, of a subsurface region of ground is described. In one aspect, the value of the particular property is represented using at least one continuous analytic function such as a Chebychev polynomial. The seismic data may include data derived from at least one crosswell dataset for the subsurface region of interest and may also include other data. In either instance, data may simultaneously be used from a first crosswell dataset in conjunction with one or more other crosswell datasets and/or with the other data. In another aspect, the value of the property is characterized in three dimensions throughout the region of interest using crosswell and/or other data. In still another aspect, crosswell datasets for highly deviated or horizontal boreholes are inherently useful. The method is performed, in part, by fitting a set of vertically spaced layer boundaries, represented by an analytic function such as a Chebychev polynomial, within and across the region encompassing the boreholes such that a series of layers is defined between the layer boundaries. Initial values of the particular property are then established between the layer boundaries and across the subterranean region using a series of continuous analytic functions. The continuous analytic functions are then adjusted to more closely match the value of the particular property across the subterranean region of ground to determine the value of the particular property for any selected point within the region.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002},
month = {Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2002}
}

Works referenced in this record:

Convolutional quelling in seismic tomography
journal, May 1989


Traveltime tomography: A comparison of popular methods
journal, October 1991


Smoothing seismic tomograms with alpha-trimmed means
journal, January 1988


Tomographic inversion via the conjugate gradient method
journal, February 1987


3-D seismic reflection tomography on top of the GOCAD depth modeler
journal, September 1996


Computerized geophysical tomography
journal, January 1979


Regularisation of nonlinear inverse problems: imaging the near-surface weathering layer
journal, February 1990