Visual database for linking geography to seismic data

• US 20070067226A1
• Filed: 10/06/2006
• Published: 03/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Conocophillips Company (ConocoPhillips)
• Original Assignee: Conocophillips Company (ConocoPhillips)
• Inventors: Caine, Bobby
• Granted Patent: US 7,340,418 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/27
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/00 Prospecting or detecting by methods combining techniques covered by two or more of main groups G01V1/00 - G01V9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0643 Graphical representation of items or shoppers

Abstract

A medium having a plurality of computer readable files relating to geophysical seismic data recorded thereon. The files include a map display having multiple levels of geographic detail and including a plurality of surface seismic data lines. A plurality of compressed seismic data files is also included, each file producing a corresponding geophysical display when its corresponding surface seismic data line is selected. The files also include a plurality of references to a plurality of full seismic data files. Each of the compressed seismic data files has less information content than its corresponding full seismic data file.

Claims

1. A method, using a computer system, for enabling a buyer to select a desired full seismic data file from among a plurality of available full seismic data files, the method comprising the steps of:

reading a map of a geographic area from a computer-readable medium;

displaying said map of said geographic area to enable selection of a region therewithin for display at a higher level of detail, said map including a plurality of surface seismic data lines, each of said surface seismic data lines corresponding respectively to one of a plurality of compressed seismic data files; and

displaying a geophysical image corresponding to one of said compressed seismic data files based on a selection of a corresponding one of said surface seismic data lines so as to allow said buyer to determine a desirability of said full seismic data file corresponding to said compressed seismic data file forming said geophysical image thus displayed, each of said compressed seismic data files being derived from and having less information content than the corresponding one of said corresponding full seismic data files, each of said compressed seismic data files containing a reference to a respective one of said full seismic data files.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of providing to said buyer an option to purchase said full seismic data file corresponding to said geophysical image displayed.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising the step of recording said reference if said buyer purchases said full seismic data file.

4. A method in accordance with claim 3, further comprising the step of displaying a list of selected references to allow said buyer to confirm the selection of said corresponding full seismic data files for purchase.

5. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said medium is a removable medium selected from the group consisting of:

a compact disk (CD);

a digital versatile disk (DVD);

a magneto-optical (MO) disk;

a magnetic tape;

a magnetic disk;

a microdrive; and

a compact flash card.

6. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said medium is fixed within said computer system, said map and said compressed seismic data files being received from another computer for storage on said medium.