Geoscientist Artificial Intelligence
Geoscientist Artificial Intelligence
  • Home
  • Processing & Imaging
    • Anisotropy Analysis
    • Deconvolution
    • Inverse Q Filtering
    • Migration
    • Multiple Attenuation
    • Noise Attenuation
    • Ray Tracing
    • Stacking
    • Static Correction
    • Velocity & NMO Analysis
    • Waveform Modeling
    • Wave Equation Datuming
  • Interpretation
    • AVO Analysis
    • Data Conditioning
    • Facies Analysis
    • INVERSION
    • Rock Physics Modeling
    • Seismic Attributes
    • Spectral Blending
    • Well-Tie Analysis
  • More
    • Home
    • Processing & Imaging
      • Anisotropy Analysis
      • Deconvolution
      • Inverse Q Filtering
      • Migration
      • Multiple Attenuation
      • Noise Attenuation
      • Ray Tracing
      • Stacking
      • Static Correction
      • Velocity & NMO Analysis
      • Waveform Modeling
      • Wave Equation Datuming
    • Interpretation
      • AVO Analysis
      • Data Conditioning
      • Facies Analysis
      • INVERSION
      • Rock Physics Modeling
      • Seismic Attributes
      • Spectral Blending
      • Well-Tie Analysis
  • Home
  • Processing & Imaging
    • Anisotropy Analysis
    • Deconvolution
    • Inverse Q Filtering
    • Migration
    • Multiple Attenuation
    • Noise Attenuation
    • Ray Tracing
    • Stacking
    • Static Correction
    • Velocity & NMO Analysis
    • Waveform Modeling
    • Wave Equation Datuming
  • Interpretation
    • AVO Analysis
    • Data Conditioning
    • Facies Analysis
    • INVERSION
    • Rock Physics Modeling
    • Seismic Attributes
    • Spectral Blending
    • Well-Tie Analysis

Velocity analysis

 Velocity analysis is critical in seismic processing to determine the seismic wave velocities within the Earth's subsurface. Accurate velocity models are essential for converting seismic reflection times into depths, which is crucial for creating precise subsurface images. The process involves analyzing the travel times of seismic waves across different source-receiver offsets to estimate the velocity of the layers through which the waves have traveled. 

Semblance Velocity analysis

 Semblance analysis is a seismic processing technique used to evaluate the coherence of seismic reflections across multiple traces in a common midpoint (CMP) gather. It helps identify the best-fitting velocity model by measuring how well seismic events align when different velocities are applied. High semblance values indicate strong alignment, suggesting an accurate velocity estimate for the subsurface layers. This method is particularly valuable in velocity analysis and velocity picking, as it provides a quantitative measure to guide the selection of the most appropriate seismic velocities, ultimately leading to clearer and more accurate subsurface images.

  Velocity picking is a key step in seismic processing where geoscientists manually or automatically select seismic wave velocities that best align reflection events across different offsets in seismic data. This process is crucial for building accurate velocity models, which are used to convert seismic reflection times into depths. Correct velocity picking ensures that subsurface images are clear and accurately represent geological structures, making it an essential component in exploration and subsurface mapping.   This  function takes a semblance matrix, velocity range, and times as input, and selects the best velocity-time points by finding the maximum semblance at each time step.This function scans through each time step, finds the velocity corresponding to the maximum semblance, and outputs a time-velocity pick vector. 

Constant Velocity Stacking Analysis

  Constant velocity stacking (CVS) performs for a range of velocities given a CDP gather (seismic data as a 2D matrix), offsets, velocity range, and sample rate. The output is a 2D matrix where each column corresponds to the stacked trace for a specific velocity.

AI NMO Correction with stretching

Normal Moveout (NMO) analysis is a seismic processing technique used to correct the time differences in seismic reflections caused by varying distances (offsets) between the seismic source and receivers. As seismic waves travel further to reach receivers positioned at greater offsets, they take longer to return, causing a "moveout" in the recorded seismic data.


NMO analysis adjusts these time differences by applying a correction based on an estimated subsurface velocity model. This correction aligns the reflection events across different offsets, allowing them to be summed (or stacked) more effectively. Accurate NMO correction is crucial for building coherent and accurate seismic images, as it directly influences the quality of subsequent processes like stacking and migration. NMO analysis is particularly important in velocity analysis, as it helps refine velocity estimates by showing how well reflections align after correction.

VELOCITY MODEL BUILDING methods

Dix Velocity Method

  The Dix velocity model is a method used in seismic processing to estimate interval velocities from root-mean-square (RMS) velocities. It is based on Dix's equation, which assumes a horizontally layered subsurface.

Constrained Velocity Inversion Method

The Constrained Velocity Inversion (CVI) method is used to convert stacking velocity in the time domain into interval velocity in the depth domain while honoring geological and geophysical constraints. This is crucial for depth imaging and quantitative seismic interpretation.


  

Advantages of Constrained Velocity Inversion:

✅ Provides geologically reasonable velocity models.
✅ Avoids errors from direct Dix inversion.
✅ Uses constraints from well logs and geological knowledge.
✅ Essential for accurate depth imaging in complex structures. 

Steps of Constrained Velocity Inversion

1. Input Data:

  • Stacking velocity from velocity analysis.
  • RMS velocity calculated from stacking velocity.
  • Initial time-depth relationship from well logs or Dix inversion.
  • Geological constraints such as stratigraphic boundaries.

2. Convert Stacking Velocity to RMS Velocity.

3. Dix Equation to Compute Initial Interval Velocity.
    Using the Dix equation, compute the interval velocity in the  

      time domain. This gives an initial estimate of the 

      interval velocity.

4. Time-to-Depth Conversion:
    Convert two-way travel time to depth using the interval 

     velocity model. This builds an initial depth model.

5. Apply Constraints:

  • Well-log velocity calibration.
  • Structural smoothing to prevent unrealistic variations.
  • Depth trend fitting using geological models.

6. Iterative Inversion Process:

  • Compare derived depth with well tops.
  • Apply corrections using iterative least-squares fitting.
  • Ensure velocity gradients match geological expectations.

7. Output:

  • Final interval velocity model in depth that is       geophysically consistent.
  • Used for depth migration and seismic interpretation.

TIME TO DEPTH conversion methods

Vertical Time-Depth Conversion (Layer Cake Model)

Vertical Time-Depth Conversion (Layer Cake Model)

Vertical Time-Depth Conversion (Layer Cake Model)

 Uses a simple layer-based approach where velocity is assumed constant or linearly varying within layers. This method is used for Layered subsurface with minimal lateral variations.

  • Steps:
    1. Define velocity functions for different layers.
    2. Convert two-way travel time (TWT) of each layer to depth using interval velocity of layers.
    3. Integrate the layer thickness to obtain final depth model. 

Interval Velocity Model & Dix Equation

Vertical Time-Depth Conversion (Layer Cake Model)

Vertical Time-Depth Conversion (Layer Cake Model)

 Converts stacking velocity (obtained from seismic processing) to interval velocity using Dix's equation. This method is used for simple geological structures with small velocity variations.

  • Steps:
    1. Obtain RMS velocities from velocity analysis.
    2. Compute interval velocities using Dix’s equation.
    3. Integrate interval velocities to obtain depth.

Well-Tied Velocity Model

Vertical Time-Depth Conversion (Layer Cake Model)

Ray-Tracing Depth Conversion

 Uses well velocity data (check-shot, sonic logs) to calibrate the seismic velocity model. This method is used for areas with well control data available.

  • Steps:
    1. Obtain well velocity profiles and seismic stacking velocity.
    2. Adjust the seismic velocity model to match well depths.
    3. Perform depth conversion using updated velocity functions.

Ray-Tracing Depth Conversion

Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning-Based Method

Ray-Tracing Depth Conversion

 Uses ray tracing through a velocity model to map seismic reflections from time to depth. This method is used for highly complex geological settings with strong lateral velocity variations.

  • Steps:
    1. Construct a velocity model with depth-dependent and lateral variations.
    2. Use ray-tracing algorithms to convert reflection times to depths.

Geostatistical Methods (Kriging, Bayesian Inversion)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning-Based Method

Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning-Based Method

Uses geostatistics to integrate various velocity sources and uncertainty modeling. This method is used for uncertainty analysis and integration of multiple velocity sources.

  • Steps:
    1. Combine well velocities, seismic stacking velocities, and geological information.
    2. Use kriging or Bayesian inversion to generate the most probable velocity field.
    3. Perform time-to-depth conversion.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning-Based Method

Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning-Based Method

Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Machine Learning-Based Method

  Uses AI models trained on historical well and seismic data to predict velocity models. This method is used for data-rich environments with complex geological settings.

  • Steps:
    1. Train AI models using existing well and seismic data.
    2. Predict interval velocities for new locations.
    3. Convert seismic time data to depth.

Stacking velocity model building with stacking vertical functions with ESSO format(CDP, Time, Velocity Col.)

Seismic velocity model building is the process of constructing a velocity field that accurately represents subsurface properties. This model is crucial for seismic imaging, depth migration, and time-to-depth conversion.

 

Geological model and sonic well log are the main constraints use to control the Dix velocity model. 

Comparison of Dix and CVI interval velocity model. The right panel is the difference of both velocity models. The main difference is due to effect of well and geology boundaries.

Comparison of time and depth sections using CVI velocity model.

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