Introduction Fundamentals of Seismic

Acquisition and Processing

Overall Learning Objectives
1. Understand seismic fundamentals as they affect the interpretation
of seismic data.

2. Understand the concepts involved in imaging geologic structures

and properties through seismic data acquisition and processing.

3. Comprehend the parameters that can seriously affect seismic data

quality and costs.

4. Determine if seismic data has been recorded and processed in a

technically correct manner for subsurface objectives.

5. Apply quality assurance steps in acquisition and processing.

6. Communicate effectively with seismic specialists.

1
Introduction
Jeff Johnson
3 years Schlumberger
 NExT Director of Training: Geoscience/Petrophysics - Tulsa

22 years Experience with Amoco/BP

 Applied Seismic Technology – New Orleans
 Manager, Geophysical Technology, Amoco International
 General Manager, Geoscience Research and Technology –
Tulsa/Houston

Academics
 Stanford Geophysics Degrees
 Boston College Prof. Geophysics
 University of Oklahoma Adjunct Research Associate

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Introduction
Fundamentals of Seismic
Acquisition and Processing
Course Overview

• Seismic Wave Propagation and Reflection Principles

• Signal Analysis Methods
• Acquisition
– Principles
– Design
– Operations
– Quality Control
• Data Processing
– Objectives
– Signal Corrections
– Velocity
– Statics
– Imaging
– Quality Assurance
• Acquisition/Processing for:
– Attributes, Inversion, and AVO
– Multicomponent

3
Introduction
Learning Methodologies
• Modular
• Why modules are important
• Powerpoints, short problems, “workshops”,
flip chart
• Interactive
– Discussion questions
– Share experiences/problems
– Learn from each other
• Ask Questions
• Daily feedback

4
Introduction
Network of Excellence in Training

NExT • Commercial Joint-Venture: E&P Training

• 150 Short Courses/Programs
• University and SLB Instructors
• Computer-Based Training
• Global Presence
• Global Presence
Texas A&M University The University of Oklahoma
Petroleum Engineering Center of Well Engineering, Geoscience /
Excellence Petrophysics Centers of Excellence.

www.nexttraining.ie
Heriot-Watt University
Distance Learning in Petroleum
Engineering Center of Excellence

5
Introduction

Module 1
Introduction
Learning objectives

Awareness Level:
• Various geophysical methods
• Seismic trace, record, section, cube
• History of seismic method
• Seismic reflection basics
• Role of seismic in reservoir life cycle

6
Introduction Geophysical Surveying Methods
Most geophysical surveying methods can be used either on land or offshore.
Each of these methods measures a parameter that relates to a physical property
of the subsurface. List of different methods, the parameters they measure, and
the related rock properties are indicated in the table 1
Table 1 Geophysical Surveying Methods
PHYSICAL PROPERTY MEASURED OR
METHOD MEASURED PARAMETER
DERIVED
SEISMIC TRAVEL TIME AND AMPLITUDE OR ELASTIC MODULI, PROPAGATION
REFLECTED/REFRACTED SEISMIC VELOCITY, DENSITY?
WAVES
GRAVITY SPATIAL VARIATIONS IN THE STRENGTH DENSITY
OF THE EARTH’S GRAVITATIONAL FIELD

MAGNETIC SPATIAL VARIATIONS IN THE STRENGTH MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY

OF THE GEOMAGNETIC FIELD

ELECTRICAL EARTH RESISTANCE ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY

RESISTIVITY

INDUCED FREQUENCY-DEPENDENT GROUND ELECTRICAL CAPACITANCE

POLARIZATION RESISTANCE

SELF-POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY

ELECTRO- RESPONSE TO ELECTROMAGNETIC ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY AND

MAGNETIC RADIATION INDUCTANCE
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Introduction

Types of Seismic Applications

• 2D land
• 3D land
• 2D marine
• 3D marine
• Long offset
• Transition zone
• Borehole
• Multicomponent land
• Ocean bottom multicomponent
• Time lapse/4D
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Introduction
Seismic Interpretation
• Objective of seismic acquisition and
processing is the accurate interpretation of
seismic data

– Travel times
– Amplitudes
– Attributes
– Tied to subsurface control

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Introduction
Seismic Interpretation

3D Seismic Cube

10
Introduction

What Do We Desire?
S R

• Structure
• Lithology
• Pore fluid
• Fractures
• Pressure

11
Introduction Predict and Characterize
Subsurface Reservoirs

12
Introduction
Seismic Interpretation

• Basic Seismic Data Concerns

– Travel time distortions
– Amplitude fidelity
– Noise and artifacts
– Resolution
– Spatial positioning
– Cost

13
Introduction
Today’s Major Problems

• Backscattered noise
• Complex near-surface
• Multiples
• Anisotropy
• Parameters for model driven processing
– Velocity
–Q
– Anisotropy

14
Introduction
The Seismic Experiment
S R

Measure:
• Travel time
• Amplitude
• Particle motion
Infer:
• Velocity
15
Introduction
Basic Seismic Measurements

Particle Particle
Pressure
Velocity Displacement
Time

16
Introduction
The Seismic Trace
The basic unit of seismic data

- Amplitude
0 +
Travel Time

17
Introduction
Recording Seismic Data

18
Introduction

Typical Scales of Reservoir

Investigation

Simulation 100 - 500 feet

Seismic 10’s – 100’s of feet
Logs Inches - feet
Lab Fractions of inch

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Introduction Scales of Geological Reservoir
Heterogeneity
Interwell
Well Area Well
Determined

Field Wide
From Well Logs,
Seismic Lines, 100's
Statistical m
Modeling,
etc.
1-10 km
Interwell

Reservoir 10's
Sandstone m

100's m

1-10's
Well-Bore

10-100's
m
10-100's mm
mm
Unaided Eye
Hand Lens or
Petrographic or Binocular Microscope
Scanning Electron
Microscope (modified from Weber, 1986)
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Introduction
Subsurface Reservoirs
• Can seismic predict some key characteristics and properties?
- Depth
- Geologic Setting - Origin of Rocks/Fluids
- Geologic Structure
- Geometry – thickness, areal extent, volume, seals
- Rock Type
- Heterogeneity – Layering, Faults/Fractures, Compartments
- Porosity
- Fluid Content/Distribution
- Pressure Distribution
- Mechanical Strength
- Permeability
- Drive Mechanisms
- Temperature
21
Introduction Earth Properties
as seen by seismic waves

• Inhomogeneous
• Attenuative
• Anisotropic
• Porous
• Fluid filled

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Introduction
Characteristics of Seismic Data

• Band Limited
– Low End 5-10 Hz
– High End 50-100 Hz
• Spatial Coverage Redundant yet Incomplete
• Large Data Volumes (up to 10’s of terabytes)
– 2000-4000 time samples per trace
– Record length 6-12 sec
– 100,000 - 1,000,000 spatial locations
– 12-1000 fold redundancy

23
Introduction
Exploration Seismic

• Most seismic reflection techniques uses only

compressional waves
– Easier to acquire
– Resolution, data quality generally better
– More sensitive to fluid properties
• Use of shear and converted wave data is
increasing
– May give a good image where compressional data
cannot
– Sensitive to porosity; insensitive to pore fluid
– Combined with compressional data, tells more
about rock and fluid properties -- Poisson’s Ratio
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 Introduction Seismic Trace, Record and Section
Distance
• A seismic trace, or "wiggle trace" is the response
of a seismic detector to the earth's movement due to
seismic energy.
– Direct arrival
– Refraction
– Reflection
– Noise

• Excursions of the trace from the central line appear as peaks

and troughs; the peaks represent "positive" signal voltages, and
the troughs represent "negative" signal voltages.

• A seismic record, or common-shot record, is a side-by-side

display of all the wiggle traces that were recorded
simultaneously from a number of detectors for a single shot point.
The "peaks" are toward the right side of the display and are
filled in with black to make patterns more visible.

• Zero time is at the top of the record, with time increasing

downward . This display is a raw image
Seismic Trace and Record
of the subsurface over a limited area, and it contains noise
and other signal distortions.

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Introduction Stacking A CMP (Common Midpoint)
Gather

S5 S4 S3 S2 S1 C M P R1 R2 R3 R4 R5

Collect all data with the same source-receiver midpoint

26
Introduction
Some Terms

CMP - Common Midpoint

CDP - Common Depth Point
CRP - Common Reflection Point

• These terms are sometimes used

interchangeably (and erroneously).
• Individual traces are summed (stacked) to
form a single trace trace at each CMP surface
location
• Much in seismic acquisition and processing is
based on assumptions of horizontal beds and
homogeneous media.
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Introduction
Seismic Reflection Exploration Overview

• Moving the “spread” (source plus receivers) one-half spread

length between shots produced continuous subsurface
coverage

First First Last Last

Receiver Receiver
Last
Receiver Receiver
Receiver
Shot Shot First
Shot Receiver
1 2 3 Surface

Subsurface
Reflector
Subsurface Coverage
Continuous or Single-Fold Subsurface Coverage
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Introduction
Seismic Reflection Exploration Overview

• Later, a method called multi-fold or common mid-point (CMP) shooting

was developed
• In this method, the spread is moved less than one-half spread length
resulting in more over-lap in coverage
• Moving 1/4 spread length means that the same reflections are
recorded by two different shots at two different receivers at two
different shot-to-receiver distances but the midpoint between shots and
receivers is the same! This is called 2-fold shooting
• Increasing the overlap, increases the fold S1 S2 M R2 R1
Surface
– Move-up of 1/6 spread gives 3-fold
– Move-up of 1/8 spread gives 4-fold Reflector

– Move-up of 1/12 spread gives 6-fold, etc S1 = 1st Source S2 = 2nd Source
M = Midpoint R1 = 1st Receiver
R2 = 2nd Receiver

CMP Shooting.
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Introduction
Seismic Reflection Exploration Overview
Multi-fold Coverage

30
Introduction Stacked Trace After
Geometry Correction
CMP
0

Two-Way Travel Time

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Introduction Seismic Trace, Record and Section
• A seismic survey generates a large number of shot records to cover the area under study.
Many steps of processing are applied to the data to enhance the signal, to minimize noise,
and to increase resolution. All the traces corresponding to a surface midpoint are combined
into a single trace, called a common-mid-point stack.
• Seismic section
When processing is complete, all the common-depth-point stacks are displayed side by side
to make a seismic section, which is the final output of a 2D seismic survey.

A Seismic Section
32
Introduction

3-D Seismic

33
Introduction
3-D Prospect Layout Example

34
Introduction Major Steps in Seismic Reflection
Exploration

• Pre-planning

• Data Acquisition

• Data Processing

• Interpretation

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Introduction
Pre-Planning

• Primary & secondary targets

• Survey main objectives
• Document objectives and priorities
• Allocate acquisition & processing budgets
• Set data quality specifications
• Establish reasonable schedules and deadlines
• Locate & modify lines of survey
• Specify methods & equipment types
• Determine acquisition parameters

36
Introduction
Geologic Objective

• Trap type - structural, stratigraphic or

combination

• Depth, thickness and areal extent

• Maximum dip expected

• Regional dip

• Modeling
37
Introduction
Acquisition Parameters

• Receiver group spacing

• Receiver group arrays
• Number of receiver groups
• Line spacing/bin size
• Number of lines/bins
• Maximum and minimum source-to-receiver
distances (offsets)
• Source spacing
• Source type/arrays
• Recording geometry
38
Introduction
Processing Parameters
• Amplitude scaling parameters to compensate
for signal variation in time and space
• Filter frequencies to suppress noise
• Deconvolution parameters to expand signal
bandwidth and shape the wavelet
• Surface wave and refraction velocities for
noise suppression
• Near-surface velocities to correct for static
shifts
• Velocity fields for stacking CMP data and
migrating reflections to their proper position
39
Introduction
Reservoir Life Cycle and
Business Value
Exploration Appraisal Development Maturity

Maximize
Production
Accelerate Maximize
+ Production Recovery
Cash Flow

Time

Minimize Defer
Opex Abandonment
Minimize
- Capex
Optimized Development Traditional Development

40
Introduction
Seismic in the Reservoir Cycle

• Exploration –increasing 3D but sometimes still 2D

• Appraisal – 3-D

• Development – High Resolution 3D, Borehole

• Management – 4D/Time-lapse

41
Introduction
Discussion

Is 2-D seismic ever done today?

If so, what is its role?
How does your company perceive the value of
seismic methods?

42
Introduction

Business Success Depends on Technology

Integration Focused on the Reservoir

Prediction Description
Geophysics

Petrophysics Geology

Reservoir

Drilling Computing

Performance Characterization
Engineering
Optimization

43
Introduction

Seismic Today

Quantitative seismic images have become

critical for business success in all subsurface
reservoir projects.

44
Introduction

Critical Capabilities for

Seismic Reservoir Prediction
Imaging

Rock Physics Attributes

45
Introduction

A Technical Vision

• Seismic data will be routinely transformed to depth images

• Volume image processing and multi-volume picking will provide
accurate reservoir / trap frameworks
• Attribute analysis, multi-component inversion, and petrophysical
calibration will provide reliable estimates of 3D subsurface rock
and fluid properties throughout the reservoir exploration /
production cycle.
• Every geophysical prediction will be qualified by its uncertainty /
risk.

46
 Introduction Seismic to Reservoir Transformation
Amoco, RIP - 1997
Idealized Multidimensional Process

Vector
Seismic Geological /
Data Rock Physics
Coherency AVO Constraints

P S
Detection
Rates
Rock / Fluid Multidimensional Multiple AI
Visualization Reservoir Volumes
Physics Modeling Depth Attribute Geostatistical Models Uncertainty
Calibration Images Volumes Classification Interpretations
Angle

Frequency Q Rock / Fluid

Physics Modeling Simulation
Calibration Iterations

47
Introduction
Summary

What have we learned?

• Objectives of seismic and overall role in reservoir cycle

• Basics of CMP seismic

• Steps in seismic projects

• Role of seismic in E&P business

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