Method of seismic surveying for resolving the effects of formation anisotropy in shear wave reflection seismic data

Patent · Tue Dec 19 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:6976714

Thomsen, L A

This patent describes a method of seismic exploration along a line of survey, wherein the line of survey is at an oblique angle to the unique axis of a subterranean azimuthally anisotropic formation. It comprises the steps of: imparting first shear wave seismic energy into the earth at selected points along the line of survey with a first shear wave source having a first polarization with respect to the line of survey; recording first signals representative of the earth's response to the first shear wave source at selected points along the line of survey with first geophones having a first polarization with respect to the line of survey; imparting second shear wave seismic energy into the earth at selected points along the line of survey, with respect to a second shear wave source having a second polarization with the line of survey; recording second signals representative of the earth's response to the second shear wave source at selected points along the line of survey with second geophones having a second polarization with respect to the line of survey, and with a measure of the oblique angle between the line of survey and the unique axis of the subterranean azimuthally anisotropic formation to be surveyed, processing the first and second signals to obtain principal component signals representative of the anisotropic formation along first and second axes so as to ameliorate the effects of shear wave birefringence on the first and second signals.

• Assignee: Amoco Corp., Chicago, IL
• Patent Number(s): A; 4888743
• Application Number: PPN: US 6-925756A
• OSTI ID: 6976714
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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