Method of seismic interpretation

• US 7,519,476 B1
• Filed: 07/13/2007
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nabil Tnacheri
• Original Assignee: Seisnetics, LLC
• Inventors: Bearnth, Robert Eugene, Tnacheri, Nabil Ouazzani
• Primary Examiner(s): Nghiem; Michael P
• Application Number:
  US11/777,413
• Time in Patent Office: 641 Days
• Field of Search: 702 11- 14, 702/20, 702179-181, 367/18, 367/73, 175/50, 703/9, 703/10
• US Class Current: 702/11
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/30 Analysis G01V1/50 takes precedence

Abstract

A seismic data analysis method including: loading at least one seismic data volume to a database, performing unbiased sampling on a portion of the seismic data volume to obtain a plurality of unbiased sampling traces, selecting a plurality of trace positions from the unbiased sampling traces, computing a plurality of samples, identifying a first set of wavelets using the samples, computing at least one genotype, creating at least two subpopulations by applying the genotype to the seismic data volume, analyzing the subpopulations for fitness to identify at least one fit population, forming a merged subpopulation by mapping similarities in the first set of wavelets, computing a second sample by identifying a second set of wavelets, creating a mutated subpopulation by applying the genotype to the second sample, and inserting the mutated subpopulation into the seismic data volume to create a geopopulation that defines geological parameters of a subsurface formation.

Claims

1. A seismic data analysis method for predicting geological and reservoir features and structures of a subsurface using at least one three dimensional seismic data volume obtained through a geophysical exploration of the subsurface, comprising the steps of:

loading the at least one seismic data volume relating to the subsurface to data storage in communication with a processor, said processor performing;

unbiased sampling on at least one portion of the at least one seismic data volume to obtain at least one plurality of initial traces;

computing at least one plurality of samples along the at least one plurality of initial traces, wherein each of the at least one plurality of samples is defined by a position within a three dimensional lattice;

identifying at least one genotype for the at least one plurality of samples;

identifying at least one plurality of fit individuals by applying the at least one genotype to the at least one three dimensional seismic data volume;

creating at least one merged genotype using the at least one plurality of fit individuals in combination with the at least one plurality of samples; and

identifying at least one geopopulation that defines the geological features or the reservoir features of the subsurface formation by applying the at least one merged genotype to the at least one three dimensional seismic data volume.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one three dimensional seismic data volume represents a two-dimensional seismic survey, a three-dimensional seismic survey, or a four-dimensional survey.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one three dimensional seismic data volume is selected from the member of the group consisting of:

seismic amplitudes, energies, coherencies, continuities, other derived seismic attributes, and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of discarding at least one of the plurality of fit individuals that is characterized by multiple geopopulations.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of identifying a plurality of neighboring geopopulations, sorting the plurality of neighboring geopopulations by fitness, creating a merged geopopulation by combining at least two of the plurality of neighboring geopopulations having high fitness.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of identifying the at least one genotype comprises identifying at least one seismic wavelet derived from similarities in amplitude within the at least one plurality of samples or at least one three dimensional cell derived from similarities in energy, continuity, coherency, or combinations thereof within the at least one plurality of samples.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the subsurface formation is a mineral reservoir or a geological formation.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the database comprises computer instructions for instructing the processor to categorize the at least one seismic data volume based on spatial orientations in numerical values, amplitude, phase, frequency, zero crossing, and combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of performing unbiased sampling is done using a random selection from the at least one three dimensional seismic data volume, or dividing the at least one three dimensional seismic data volume into a plurality of sectors and randomly selecting at least one initial trace from each of the plurality of sectors.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the random selection from the at least one three dimensional seismic data volume or the random selection of at least one initial trace from each of the plurality of sectors is performed using a random number generator.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing of the at least one plurality of samples is performed by mapping using a zero-crossing analysis.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one genotype is a trace representation of acoustic impedance defined by wavelets.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the processor is in communication with a server in communication with a network accessible from at least one remote location using at least one client device in communication with the network.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of compiling and sorting the at least one seismic data volume into a plurality of categories using the processor.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of computing the at least one plurality of samples is performed by selecting peaks, troughs, zero-crossings, or combinations thereof for each of the at least one plurality of initial traces.