High vertical resolution crosswell seismic imaging

Patent · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1999

OSTI ID:872740

Lazaratos, Spyridon K ^[1]

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1. Houston, TX

A method for producing high vertical resolution seismic images from crosswell data is disclosed. In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a set of vertically spaced, generally horizontally extending continuous layers and associated nodes are defined within a region between two boreholes. The specific number of nodes is selected such that the value of a particular characteristic of the subterranean region at each of the nodes is one which can be determined from the seismic data. Once values are established at the nodes, values of the particular characteristic are assigned to positions between the node points of each layer based on the values at node within that layer and without regard to the values at node points within any other layer. A seismic map is produced using the node values and the assigned values therebetween. In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an approximate model of the region is established using direct arrival traveltime data. Thereafter, the approximate model is adjusted using reflected arrival data. In accordance with still another aspect of the disclosure, correction is provided for well deviation. An associated technique which provides improvements in ray tracing is also disclosed.

• Research Organization: TomoSeis Inc. (Houston, TX)
• DOE Contract Number: FG02-94ER86019
• Assignee: TomoSeis Inc. (Houston, TX)
• Patent Number(s): US 5999489
• Application Number: 08/820885
• OSTI ID: 872740
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

vertical
resolution
crosswell
seismic
imaging
method
producing
images
data
disclosed
accordance
aspect
disclosure
set
vertically
spaced
horizontally
extending
continuous
layers
associated
nodes
defined
region
boreholes
specific
selected
value
particular
characteristic
subterranean
determined
values
established
assigned
positions
node
layer
based
regard
map
produced
therebetween
approximate
model
direct
arrival
traveltime
thereafter
adjusted
reflected
correction
provided
deviation
technique
provides
improvements
ray
tracing
seismic data
continuous layer
vertical resolution
ray tracing
vertically spaced
horizontally extending
seismic imaging
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