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Method for determining the presence of hydrocarbons in subsurface geological formations by comparative assessment of compressional and shear wave reflection data

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5323634

This paper describes a method for determining the presence of hydrocarbons in subsurface geological formations by comparative assessment of acquired compressional wave reflection information and pseudoshear wave reflection information estimated from acquired compressional wave reflection information. It comprises the steps of: generating descending acoustic compressional waves from a plurality of acoustic wave sources and receiving and recording at a plurality of receivers ascending compressional wave reflection information produced at a subsurface interface; gathering the recorded compressional wave reflection information into sets of different source-receiver offsets having a common reflection boundary; correcting gathered compressional wave reflection information for normal moveout; measuring amplitudes of gathered compressional wave reflection information at given points in time for different source-receiver offset value; determining directly from the measured amplitude offset values pseudoshear wave reflection information, selecting compressional wave reflection information; selecting produced pseudoshear wave reflection information; combining selected compressional wave reflection information and selected pseudoshear wave reflection information according to the relation R/sub s/-R/sub s/, where R/sub p/ is the selected compressional wave reflection information and Rs is the selected pseudoshear wave reflection information; and comparing the combined wave reflection information to the selected compressional wave reflection information.

Assignee:
Mobil Oil Corp., New York, NY
Patent Number(s):
US 4858200
Application Number:
PPN: US 7099451A
OSTI ID:
5323634
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English