MULTICOMPONENT SEISMIC INVERSION OF VSP DATA
First Claim
1. A method for seismic inversion of vertical seismic profile (VSP) data in an oilfield having a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, comprising:
- obtaining an initial velocity model of the subterranean formation, the initial velocity model comprising acoustic velocities of wave propagation in proximity to the wellbore;
determining an acquisition geometry for obtaining the VSP data, the acquisition geometry comprising a plurality of receiver locations within the wellbore and a source location;
performing a seismic survey to obtain the VSP data based on the acquisition geometry;
analyzing, using a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer system, direct arrival signals of the VSP data to generate transit time data for wave propagation from the source location to the plurality of receiver locations;
modifying, using the CPU, the initial velocity model to generate an updated velocity model by performing a tomographic inversion of the transit time data;
generating, using the CPU, an elastic model of the subterranean formation by performing the seismic inversion of the VSP data using the updated velocity model; and
adjusting the operations of the oilfield based on the elastic model.
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Abstract
A method for seismic inversion of vertical seismic profile (VSP) data in an oilfield. The method includes obtaining an initial velocity model of a subterranean formation including acoustic velocities of wave propagation in proximity to the wellbore, determining an acquisition geometry for obtaining the VSP data including receiver locations within the wellbore and a source location, performing a seismic survey to obtain the VSP data based on the acquisition geometry, analyzing arrival signals of the VSP data to generate transit time data for wave propagation from the source location to the receiver locations, modifying the initial velocity model to generate an updated velocity model by performing a tomographic inversion of the transit time data, generating an elastic model of the subterranean formation by performing the seismic inversion of the VSP data using the updated velocity model, and adjusting the operations of the oilfield based on the elastic model.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for seismic inversion of vertical seismic profile (VSP) data in an oilfield having a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, comprising:
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obtaining an initial velocity model of the subterranean formation, the initial velocity model comprising acoustic velocities of wave propagation in proximity to the wellbore; determining an acquisition geometry for obtaining the VSP data, the acquisition geometry comprising a plurality of receiver locations within the wellbore and a source location; performing a seismic survey to obtain the VSP data based on the acquisition geometry; analyzing, using a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer system, direct arrival signals of the VSP data to generate transit time data for wave propagation from the source location to the plurality of receiver locations; modifying, using the CPU, the initial velocity model to generate an updated velocity model by performing a tomographic inversion of the transit time data; generating, using the CPU, an elastic model of the subterranean formation by performing the seismic inversion of the VSP data using the updated velocity model; and adjusting the operations of the oilfield based on the elastic model. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for seismic inversion of vertical seismic profile (VSP) data in an oilfield having a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore therein, the system comprising:
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a seismic wave source device configured to perform a seismic survey; a plurality of receivers disposed inside the wellbore and configured to obtain the VSP data during the seismic survey; a VSP data inversion tool configured to; identify a portion of the subterranean formation in proximity to the wellbore based on a pre-determined criterion; process the VSP data to generate a depth/time dependent angle model comprising an incidence angle of wave propagation in the portion of the subterranean formation; and perform the seismic inversion of the VSP data using the depth/time dependent angle model to generate an elastic model of the subterranean formation; and a surface unit comprising a controller configured to adjust the operations of the oilfield based on the elastic model. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer readable medium storing instructions for seismic inversion of vertical seismic profile (VSP) data in an oilfield having a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the instructions when executed causing a processor to:
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obtain an initial velocity model of the subterranean formation, the initial velocity model comprising acoustic velocities of wave propagation in proximity to the wellbore; determine an acquisition geometry for obtaining the VSP data, the acquisition geometry comprising a plurality of receiver locations within the wellbore and a source location; perform a seismic survey to obtain the VSP data based on the acquisition geometry; analyze, using a central processing unit (CPU) of a computer system, direct arrival signals of the VSP data to generate transit time data for wave propagation from the source location to the plurality of receiver locations; modify, using the CPU, the initial velocity model to generate an updated velocity model by performing a tomographic inversion of the transit time data; generate, using the CPU, an elastic model of the subterranean formation by performing the seismic inversion of the VSP data using the updated velocity model; and adjust the operations of the oilfield based on the elastic model. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification