Vertical resolution of a seismic survey in stratigraphic sequences less than 100 m deep in southeastern Kansas

A 400-m long, 12‐fold high‐resolution common depth point (CDP) reflection seismic profile was acquired across shallow converging Pennsylvanian strata in the Independence area of southeastern Kansas. One of the principal objectives was to determine practical vertical resolution limits in an excellent shallow seismic‐data area with borehole control. The dominant frequency of the CDP stacked data is in excess of 150 Hz based on peak‐to‐peak measurements. Interference phenomena observed on stacked seismic data incorporated with models derived from log and drill‐hole information suggest a practical vertical resolution limit of about 7 m, or one‐third of the dominant wavelength. This practical resolution is slightly less than the predicted (theoretical) resolution limit of 5 m based on the generally accepted one‐quarter wavelength axiom. These data suggest conventional rules of thumb describing resolution potential are not accurate when reflectors on shallow, narrow bandwidth data converge rapidly across horizontal distances less than the Fresnel Zone.

Download Full-text

PRACTICAL USE OF BOREHOLE SEISMIC IN EXPLORATION

The APPEA Journal ◽

10.1071/aj83034 ◽

1984 ◽

Vol 24 (1) ◽

pp. 429

Author(s):

F. Sandnes W. L. Nutt ◽

S. G. Henry

Keyword(s):

Seismic Data ◽

Seismic Profile ◽

Seismic Survey ◽

Vertical Seismic Profile ◽

Direct Signal ◽

Seismic Fault ◽

Time Calibration ◽

Vsp Data ◽

Borehole Seismic ◽

Processing Techniques

The improvement of acquisition and processing techniques has made it possible to study seismic wavetrains in boreholes.With careful acquisition procedures and quantitative data processing, one can extract useful information on the propagation of seismic events through the earth, on generation of multiples and on the different reflections coming from horizons that may not all be accessible by surface seismic.An extensive borehole seismic survey was conducted in a well in Conoco's contract area 'Block B' in the South China Sea. Shots at 96 levels were recorded, and the resulting Vertical Seismic Profile (VSP) was carefully processed and analyzed together with the Synthetic Seismogram (Geogram*) and the Synthetic Vertical Seismic Profile (Synthetic VSP).In addition to the general interpretation of the VSP data, i.e. time calibration of surface seismic, fault identification, VSP trace inversion and VSP Direct Signal Analysis, the practical inclusion of VSP data in the reprocessing of surface seismic data was studied. Conclusions that can be drawn are that deconvolution of surface seismic data using VSP data must be carefully approached and that VSP can be successfully used to examine phase relationships in seismic data.

Download Full-text

Time-frequency analysis of deep crustal reflection seismic data using Wigner-Ville distributions

Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences ◽

10.1139/e01-003 ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 38 (7) ◽

pp. 1027-1035 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Kris Vasudevan ◽

Frederick A Cook

Keyword(s):

Frequency Analysis ◽

Instantaneous Frequency ◽

Seismic Data ◽

Drill Hole ◽

Lateral Variation ◽

Time Frequency Analysis ◽

Time Frequency ◽

Reflection Seismic ◽

Instantaneous Frequencies ◽

Crustal Reflection

One important component of deep crustal reflection seismic data in the absence of drill-hole data and surface-outcrop constraints is classifying and quantifying reflectivity patterns. One approach to this component uses a recently developed data-decomposition technique, seismic skeletonization. Skeletonized coherent events and their attributes are identified and stored in a relational database, allowing easy visualization and parameterization of the reflected wavefield. Because one useful attribute, the instantaneous frequency, is difficult to derive within the current framework of skeletonization, timefrequency analysis and a new method, empirical mode skeletonization, are used to derive it. Other attributes related to timefrequency analysis that can be derived from the methods can be used for shallow and deep reflection seismic interpretation and can supplement the seismic attributes accrued from seismic skeletonization. Bright reflections observed from below the sedimentary basin in the Southern Alberta Lithosphere Transect have recently been interpreted to be caused by highly reflective sills. Timefrequency analysis of one of these reflections shows the lateral variation of energy with instantaneous frequency for any given time and the lateral variation of energy with time for any instantaneous frequency. Results from empirical mode skeletonization for the same segment of data illustrate the differences in the instantaneous frequencies among the intrinsic modes of the data. Thus, timefrequency distribution of amplitude or energy for any signal may be a good indicator of compositional differences that can vary from one location to another.

Download Full-text

Reflection seismic studies over the end-glacial Burträsk fault, Skellefteå, Sweden

Solid Earth Discussions ◽

10.5194/sed-2-307-2010 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 307-329 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

C. Juhlin ◽

B. Lund

Keyword(s):

Fracture Zone ◽

Seismic Data ◽

Mafic Rock ◽

Seismic Profile ◽

Large Displacements ◽

Fault Geometry ◽

Seismic Section ◽

Glacial Ice ◽

Crustal Rocks ◽

Reflection Seismic

Abstract. Reflection seismic data were acquired along a ca. 22 km long profile over the end-glacial Burträsk Fault with a nominal receiver and source spacing of 20 m. A steeply dipping reflection can be correlated to the Burträsk Fault, indicating that the fault dips at about 55° to the southeast near the surface. The reflection from the fault is rather poorly imaged, probably due to a jump in the fault and the crookedness of the seismic profile in the vicinity of the fault. A more pronounced steeply dipping reflection is observed about 4 km southeast of the Burträsk Fault. Based on its correlation with a topographic low at the surface this reflection is interpreted to originate from a fracture zone. There are no signs of large displacements along this fault as the glacial ice receded, but it may be active today. Other reflections on the processed seismic section may originate from changes in lithological variations in the supra-crustal rocks or from intrusions of more mafic rock. Constraints on the fault geometry provided by the reflection seismic data will help determine what stresses were required to activate the fault when the major rupture along it occurred.

Download Full-text

PROBLEM ISSUES AND WAYS TO INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY OF SEISMIC SURVEY

Neft i gaz ◽

10.37878/2708-0080/2021-1.04 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (121) ◽

pp. 52-68

Author(s):

S.M. ISSENOV ◽

Keyword(s):

Seismic Data ◽

Seismic Survey ◽

Seismic Exploration ◽

Physical Parameters ◽

Vertical Resolution ◽

Dynamic Problems ◽

Seismic Record ◽

Main Factors ◽

Geological Section ◽

Hydrocarbon Deposits

The physical capabilities of seismic prospecting and the main factors limiting the scope of solving target geological problems of research at the stages of exploration and additional exploration of hydrocarbon deposits are considered. The efficiency of structural-tectonic and dynamic problems of seismic exploration to be solved depend on the degree of correspondence to the real structure of the geological section of the basic mathematical models of the applied methods and technologies of field seismic survey, processing and interpretation of seismic data. The reliability of predicting the material composition of sediments and physical parameters of hydrocarbon reservoirs is determined by the achieved quantitative Signal / Noise estimates and the vertical resolution of the seismic record. The ways of increasing the efficiency of seismic exploration are discussed, including the practical results of the application of Multifocusing technologies, which expand the range of geological problems to be solved.

Download Full-text

New geophysical and geological results in frontier basins along the southwest Australian continental margin

The APPEA Journal ◽

10.1071/aj08060 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 587

Author(s):

Chris Nicholson ◽

Edward Bowen ◽

George Bernardel ◽

Barry Bradshaw ◽

Irina Borissova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Continental Margin ◽

Seismic Data ◽

Seismic Survey ◽

Magnetic Data ◽

Geological Samples ◽

Potential Field Data ◽

Swath Bathymetry ◽

Reflection Seismic ◽

Industry Standard ◽

Areas Of Interest

Under the Australian Government’s Energy Security Program, Geoscience Australia is conducting a seismic survey and a marine reconnaissance survey to acquire new geophysical data and obtain geological samples in frontier basins along the southwest Australian continental margin. Specific areas of interest include the Mentelle Basin, northern Perth Basin, Wallaby Plateau and the southern Carnarvon Basin. The regional seismic survey will acquire 8,000–10,000 km of industry-standard 2D reflection seismic data using an 8 km solid streamer and a 12 second record length, together with gravity and magnetic data. These new geophysical datasets, together with over 7,000 km of reprocessed open-file seismic, will facilitate more detailed mapping of the regional geology, determination of total sediment thickness, interpretation of the nature and thickness of crust beneath the major depocentres, modelling of the tectonic evolution and an assessment of the petroleum prospectivity of frontier basins along the southwest margin. The overall scientific aim of the marine survey is to collect swath bathymetry, potential field data, geological samples and biophysical data. Together with the new seismic data, samples recovered from frontier basins will assist in understanding the geological setting and petroleum prospectivity of these little known areas. Preliminary results from both surveys will be presented for the first time at this conference.

Download Full-text

Reflection seismic studies over the end-glacial Burträsk fault, Skellefteå, Sweden

Solid Earth ◽

10.5194/se-2-9-2011 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 9-16 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

C. Juhlin ◽

B. Lund

Keyword(s):

Seismic Data ◽

Mafic Rock ◽

Seismic Profile ◽

Large Displacements ◽

Fault Geometry ◽

Seismic Section ◽

Glacial Ice ◽

Crustal Rocks ◽

Reflection Seismic ◽

Lateral Offset

Abstract. Reflection seismic data were acquired along a ca. 22 km long profile over the end-glacial Burträsk fault with a nominal receiver and source spacing of 20 m. A steeply dipping reflection can be correlated to the Burträsk fault, indicating that the fault dips at about 55° to the southeast near the surface. The reflection from the fault is rather poorly imaged, probably due to a lateral offset in the fault of about 1 km at this location and the crookedness of the seismic profile in the vicinity of the fault. A more pronounced steeply dipping reflection is observed about 4 km southeast of the Burträsk fault. Based on its correlation with a topographic low at the surface this reflection is interpreted to originate from a fracture zone. There are no signs of large displacements along this zone as the glacial ice receded, but earthquakes could be associated with it today. Other reflections on the processed seismic section may originate from changes in lithological variations in the supra-crustal rocks or from intrusions of more mafic rock. Constraints on the fault geometry provided by the reflection seismic data will help determine what stresses were required to activate the fault when the major rupture along it occurred ca. 9500 years ago.

Download Full-text

Time-Depth Curve Evaluation Method for Conversion Time to Depth at Penobscot Field, Nova-Scotia, Canada

Jurnal ILMU DASAR ◽

10.19184/jid.v17i1.2663 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 25

Author(s):

Fitri Rizqi Azizah ◽

Puguh Hiskiawan ◽

Sri Hartanto

Keyword(s):

Time Domain ◽

Seismic Data ◽

Evaluation Method ◽

Seismic Survey ◽

Seismic Exploration ◽

Reflection Seismic ◽

Conversion Time ◽

Well Data ◽

The Time Domain ◽

Depth Curve

Oil and natural gas as a fossil fuel that is essential for human civilization, and included in nonrenewable energy, making this energy source is not easy for updated availability. So that it is necessary for exploration and exploitation reliable implementation. Seismic exploration becomes the method most widely applied in the oil, in particular reflection seismic exploration. Data wells (depth domain) and seismic data (time domain) of reflection seismic survey provides information wellbore within the timescale. As for the good interpretation needed information about the state of the earth and is able to accurately describe the actual situation (scale depth). Conversion time domain into the depth domain into things that need to be done in generating qualified exploration map. Method of time-depth curve to be the method most preferred by the geophysical interpreter, in addition to a fairly short turnaround times, also do not require a large budget. Through data information check-shot consisting of the well data and seismic data, which is then exchanged plotted, forming a curve time-depth curve, has been able to produce a map domain depth fairly reliable based on the validation value obtained in the range of 54 - 176m difference compared to the time domain maps previously generated.Keywords: Energy nonrenewable, survei seismik, peta domain waktu, peta domain kedalaman, time-depth curve

Download Full-text

Constraints on Reelfoot Rift Evolution from a Reflection Seismic Profile in the Northern Rift

Seismological Research Letters ◽

10.1785/gssrl.63.3.233 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 63 (3) ◽

pp. 233-241 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

M.B. Goldhaber ◽

C.J. Potter ◽

C.D. Taylor

Keyword(s):

Seismic Data ◽

Seismic Reflection ◽

Seismic Profile ◽

Fault System ◽

Seismic Reflection Profile ◽

The South ◽

Dome A ◽

Reflection Seismic ◽

The North ◽

Northwestern Margin

Abstract An 82.8 km segment of a northwest-southeast trending seismic-reflection profile across the northernmost part of the Reelfoot rift shows that the Cambrian rift geometry there is quite distinct from that of the main part of Reelfoot rift to the south, and that of the Rough Creek graben to the east. The profile is within the area of intersection of the Reelfoot rift and Rough Creek graben and shows a systematic southeastward thickening of the Cambrian synrift clastic sequence with as much as 1940 meters of section present against the Pennyrile fault system as compared to 970 meters near the Lusk Creek and Shawneetown fault systems, towards the northwestern margin of the rift. This contrasts with the more symmetric rift pattern in the seismically active zone to the south, where the maximum thickness of synrift sediments is along the rift axis, and with an opposite sense of rift asymmetry in the Rough Creek graben, where the synrift sequence thickens to the north against the Rough Creek - Shawneetown fault. Reflection patterns in the vicinity of Hicks dome, a “cryptovolcano”, are consistent with the hypothesis that the dome originated by explosive release of mantle-derived gases associated with alkali volcanism. The seismic data also reveal that the fluorine mineralization in the area is associated with faults that offset basement; this is further evidence that deeply-derived fluids are significant in the geologic evolution of the area.

Download Full-text

Deep crustal structure of the North-West African margin from combined wide-angle and reflection seismic data (MIRROR seismic survey)

Tectonophysics ◽

10.1016/j.tecto.2015.06.019 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 656 ◽

pp. 154-174 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Y. Biari ◽

F. Klingelhoefer ◽

M. Sahabi ◽

D. Aslanian ◽

P. Schnurle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crustal Structure ◽

Seismic Data ◽

West African ◽

Seismic Survey ◽

Wide Angle ◽

North West ◽

Reflection Seismic ◽

The North ◽

Deep Crustal Structure

Download Full-text

Fresnel zones in the light of broadband data

Geophysics ◽

10.1190/1.1443049 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 56 (3) ◽

pp. 354-359 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

R. W. Knapp

Keyword(s):

Seismic Response ◽

Edge Effects ◽

Seismic Data ◽

Fresnel Zone ◽

Vertical Resolution ◽

Zone Size ◽

Small Bodies ◽

Lateral Offset ◽

Zero Offset ◽

Fresnel Zones

The investigation of zero‐offset response to circular reflectors of increasing Fresnel zone size shows that reflection response is a constant and is independent of reflector size, except when the reflector diameter is so small that the diffractions interfere with the primary reflection. The extent of this effect is dependent upon vertical resolution and the time separation of the primary reflector and the diffraction. Interference occurs for reflectors smaller in diameter than the first Fresnel zone. Migration removes this interference. For broadband data the Fresnel zone solution breaks into two parts: the primary reflector and the edge‐effects diffractor. With broadband seismic data, reflections and diffractions separate in time, except at locations near faults or very small bodies. Reflections are the seismic response to interlayer discontinuity and are independent of reflector size. Diffractions are the seismic response to lateral discontinuities and edges and depend on proximity to—and geometry of—the edge. Except in the locale of an edge, broadband reflections and diffractions are separated physically on the section and mentally by the interpreter. Furthermore, standard CMP processing attenuates diffractions, especially when CMP lateral offset is some distance from the diffractor.

Download Full-text