Introduction
Seismic
Processing
Seismic
Acquisition
Logs,
Cores,
VSP
Interpretation
Objective of course
BasicMacrovelocity
concepts
Model
Outline of the course
Prognosis
Drilling
Objective of course
Introduction
Objective:
To understand the process of traveltime inversion and how to apply it both
efficiently and effectively.
1.1
Objective of course
Introduction
Travel Time Inversion
[t] x [V] [z]
Have
Estimate
Abundant seismic x
data recorded in time
Need
Velocity
model
Structural model
in depth
Objective of course
Introduction
Travel-Time Inversion
Seismic
Field
Data
Processing
Macro
Velocity
Model
Well
Data
Time
Structure
Travel-time
Inversion
Structure
in depth
The macro velocity model and form of travel time inversion
depend upon the structural complexity and amount of well
velocity information available . . .
1.2
Course Outline
Introduction
Velocity for T -Z Conversion
To depth convert seismic times we need:
average velocity from datum to reflector
or depth expressed in terms of travel-time
We usually have: some checkshots (or VSP)
sections of sonic logs
some stacking or time migration velocities
How do we build the macro velocity model?
Course Outline
Introduction
Velocity Models
Volume models from well data
Mathematical equation
Usually a function relating V, t and z
Horizon models from seismic data
Grids of data values
Volume models from seismic data
Volume of data values
1.3
Objective of course
Introduction
Technology Usage
. . . It also depends on the state of technical development . . .
Technology Usage
100
Percentage of seismic
data
80
60
40
20
Objective of course
Introduction
Depth Conversion
. . . and company policy.
100
Percentage
of Assets
Analytic
Functions/
Deterministic
anisotropic
dm
pre stack
dm
post stack
dm
depth
conversion
time
migrate
stack
Seismic
Velocities/
Stochastic
Cost/
Time
1.4
Complex/
Depth
Imaging
Objective of course
Introduction
New Paradigm
Seismic
Processing
Seismic
Acquisition
Interpretation
Macrovelocity
Model
Logs,
Cores,
VSP
Prognosis
Drilling
Basic concepts
Introduction
Macrovelocity
Macrovelocity changes over distances much greater than a
seismic wavelength (>5).
Velocity Log = Macro + Mezzo + Micro
seismic
wave
Propagation
1.5
wells
Trace
Inversion
Basic concepts
Introduction
The Macrovelocity Model
A macrovelocity model portrays subsurface velocity and
geologic structure.
Basic concepts
Introduction
The Macrovelocity Model
The velocity model portrays only subsurface velocity
with respect to time or depth.
Velocity
Model
Macrovelocity
Model
1.6
Basic concepts
Introduction
The Macrovelocity Model
The velocity distribution may be connected or unconnected to
the geologic structure.
Unconnected,
Unconsolidated rocks
Connected,
Older rocks
Basic concepts
Introduction
Structural sources
Depth maps from wells
poor structural control but
accurate depth control.
Depth maps from seismic
- good structural control,
but poor depth control.
1.7
Basic concepts
Introduction
Well Velocities
Velocity measurements - Hard Data
Considered Accurate - pitfalls
Finely sampled in depth
Often vertical
Sparsely sampled laterally
Velocity (analytic) functions
describe volume models
Deterministic Depth Conversion
Basic concepts
Introduction
Well Velocities
Wells - measured
Checkshot/VSP - Average (constant) interval velocity
Sonic/Velocity Log - Velocity gradients (vertical)
+
=
1.8
Basic concepts
Introduction
Seismic Velocities
Subsurface
Velocity
Travel-time
inversion
Structural
image
Macro
model
Micro
model
Synthetic
seismograms
Modelling
Rock and Pore
Parameters
reflection
propagation
Structural mapping
Trace inversion
seismic
response
Reservoir mapping
Basic concepts
Introduction
Seismic Velocities
Processing parameters NOT velocities
Estimates of velocity - Soft Data
Influenced most by dip and horizontal variations
Coarsely sampled in depth
Finely sampled laterally
Horizon models
Deterministic and stochastic depth conversion
1.9
Basic concepts
Introduction
Seismic Velocities
Seismic - estimated
Time gather Stacking / RMS velocity
Depth gather RMS interval velocity
For both we obtain horizontal gradients.
Basic concepts
Introduction
Structural Detail
The effects due to the upper and lower surfaces of a thin bed
almost cancel each other out as far as travel time inversion is
concerned and so they need not be included in a model.
}
OR
RR
E
=
The thin bed may well generate a strong reflection if there is
a large acoustic impedance contrast but its presence will not
affect depth conversion or depth imaging.
1.10
Basic concepts
Introduction
Structural Detail
In a macrovelocity model each layer is much thicker than
the dominant seismic wavelength in that particular layer
(> 5 or 10 times).
Wavelength = Velocity / Frequency
1500 m/s
50 Hz
4500 m/s
25 Hz
Consequently deeper
layers will generally
be thicker than
shallow layers and
show less structural
detail.
>?m
>?m
Basic concepts
Introduction
Surfaces to Model
Water bottom
Carbonate
Unconformity
Intraformational
surface
Overpressure
Fault
Evaporite
Reservoir
1.11
Basic concepts
Introduction
The Macrovelocity Model
Well velocity
model
Seismic velocity
model
These two views are not inconsistent, lower average velocity
at the edge of the basin, higher velocity in the centre.
Basic concepts
Introduction
Well Density
Approaches to depth mapping of the subsurface depend upon
the density of well control available.
Categories are:
Very dense less than 80 acre spacing (~300m)
Dense
80 240 acre spacing ( to 1 km)
Moderate
1 to 5 km
Occasional 5 to 25 km
Sparse
over 25 km
None
As the well density decreases we have to rely more on seismic
velocities
1.12
Basic concepts
Introduction
Pr
eSt
ac
k
Ti
k
ac
St
e- pth on
Pr De ati
r
ig
M
Structural
complexity
Lateral velocity
variations
Data Availability
Po
st
-S
ta
ck
ep
th
eM
ig
ra
tio
e
m
Ti
ck n
ta tio
- S ra
st ig
k
ac
Po M
St
The form that traveltime inversion and
the associated
velocities takes
depends on a
number of factors.
Structural Complexity
Seismic Velocities
M
ig
ra
t io
n
Lateral Velocity Variation
Basic concepts
Introduction
Structural Complexity
Approaches to depth mapping also depend upon the structural
complexity of the subsurface and seismic data availability.
Categories are:
Simple structural overburden (dips < 10 degrees)
Horizon based stacking velocity, post stack time migrated data
Moderate structural overburden ( 10 to 30 degrees)
Use map migration, model based stacking velocities, pre-stack time
migration velocities and/or post stack depth migration imaging
Complex structural overburden (> 30 degrees)
Pre-stack depth migration
For land data it is assumed that statics have been correctly applied or data
migrated from topography.
1.13
Course Outline
Introduction
Definitions
Well velocities
Stacking and time migration velocities
Depth conversion
Depth migration velocities
Imaging of complex structures
Anisotropy
Strategies
Introduction
Bo
th
Depth
Imaging
V W
el el
oc l
iti
es
S
V eis
el m
oc ic
iti
es
Structural Complexity
Course Outline
Density of Well Velocity Data
1.14
Map
Migration
Depth
Scaling
Introduction
Bo
th
Depth
Imaging
V W
el el
oc l
iti
es
S
V eis
el m
oc ic
iti
es
Structural Complexity
Course Outline
Map
Migration
Depth
Scaling
Density of Well Velocity Data
Introduction
Bo
th
Depth
Imaging
V W
el el
oc l
iti
es
S
V eis
el m
oc ic
iti
es
Structural Complexity
Course Outline
Density of Well Velocity Data
1.15
Map
Migration
Depth
Scaling
Introduction
Bo
th
Depth
Imaging
V W
el el
oc l
iti
es
S
V eis
el m
oc ic
iti
es
Structural Complexity
Course Outline
Map
Migration
Depth
Scaling
Density of Well Velocity Data
Introduction
In this section we reviewed: Objective of course
To understand the macrovelocity model
Basic concepts
Associated with the macro velocity model
Outline of the course
Well velocities, seismic velocities, depth
conversion and imaging
1.16
