Diffraction imaging in fractured carbonates and unconventional shales

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. SF69-SF79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioan Sturzu ◽  
Alexander Mihai Popovici ◽  
Tijmen Jan Moser ◽  
Sudha Sudhakar
Keyword(s):  
Natural Fracture ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Fracture Density ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Field Development ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
The Us ◽  
Diffraction Imaging ◽  
Resolution Imaging ◽  
Shale Reservoirs

Diffraction imaging is recognized as a new approach to image small-scale fractures in shale and carbonate reservoirs. By identifying the areas with increased natural fracture density, reservoir engineers can design an optimal well placement program that targets the sweet spots (areas with increased production), and minimizes the total number of wells used for a prospective area. High-resolution imaging of the small-scale fractures in shale reservoirs such as Eagle Ford, Bakken, Utica, and Woodbine in the US, and Horn River, Montney, and Utica in Canada improves the prospect characterization and predrill assessment of the geologic conditions, improves the production and recovery efficiency, reduces field development cost, and decreases the environmental impact of developing the field by using fewer wells to optimally produce the reservoir. We evaluated several field data examples using a method of obtaining images of diffractors using specularity filtering that could be performed in depth and time migration. Provided that a good migration velocity was available, we used the deviation of ray scattering from Snell’s law to attenuate reflection energy in the migrated image. The resulting diffraction images reveal much of the structural detail that was previously obscured by reflection energy.

Poststack impedance inversion considering the diffractive component of the wavefield

Geophysics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. R11-R28 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kun Xiang ◽  
Evgeny Landa
Keyword(s):  
Specular Reflection ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Forward Modeling ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Fracture Detection ◽  
Frequency Model ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Impedance Inversion ◽  
Diffraction Imaging

Seismic diffraction waveform energy contains important information about small-scale subsurface elements, and it is complementary to specular reflection information about subsurface properties. Diffraction imaging has been used for fault, pinchout, and fracture detection. Very little research, however, has been carried out taking diffraction into account in the impedance inversion. Usually, in the standard inversion scheme, the input is the migrated data and the assumption is taken that the diffraction energy is optimally focused. This assumption is true only for a perfectly known velocity model and accurate true amplitude migration algorithm, which are rare in practice. We have developed a new approach for impedance inversion, which takes into account diffractive components of the total wavefield and uses the unmigrated input data. Forward modeling, designed for impedance inversion, includes the classical specular reflection plus asymptotic diffraction modeling schemes. The output model is composed of impedance perturbation and the low-frequency model. The impedance perturbation is estimated using the Bayesian approach and remapped to the migrated domain by the kinematic ray tracing. Our method is demonstrated using synthetic and field data in comparison with the standard inversion. Results indicate that inversion with taking into account diffraction can improve the acoustic impedance prediction in the vicinity of local reflector discontinuities.

scholarly journals Diffraction imaging using geometric-mean reverse time migration and common-reflection surface

Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. S355-S364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianhang Yin ◽  
Nori Nakata
Keyword(s):  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Diffracted Waves ◽  
Common Reflection Surface ◽  
Diffraction Imaging

Diffracted waves contain a great deal of valuable information about small-scale subsurface structure such as faults, pinch-outs, karsts, and fractures, which are closely related to hydrocarbon accumulation and production. Therefore, diffraction separation and imaging with high spatial resolution play an increasingly critical role in seismic exploration. We have applied the geometric-mean reverse time migration (GmRTM) method to diffracted waves for imaging only subsurface diffractors based on the difference of the wave phenomena between diffracted and reflected waves. Numerical tests prove the advantages of this method on diffraction imaging with higher resolution as well as fewer artifacts compared to conventional RTM even when we only have a small number of receivers. Then, we developed a workflow to extract diffraction information using a fully data-driven method, called common-reflection surface (CRS), before we applied GmRTM. Application of this workflow indicates that GmRTM further improves the quality of the image by combining with the diffraction-separation technique CRS in the data domain.

scholarly journals Application of Unconventional Seismic Attributes and Unsupervised Machine Learning for the Identification of Fault and Fracture Network

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 3864 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umar Ashraf ◽  
Hucai Zhang ◽  
Aqsa Anees ◽  
Hassan Nasir Mangi ◽  
Muhammad Ali ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neural Networks ◽  
Median Filter ◽  
Fracture Network ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Fracture Density ◽  
Fracture Characterization ◽  
Field Development ◽  
Fracture Length ◽  
Dip Angle

The identification of small scale faults (SSFs) and fractures provides an improved understanding of geologic structural features and can be exploited for future drilling prospects. Conventional SSF and fracture characterization are challenging and time-consuming. Thus, the current study was conducted with the following aims: (a) to provide an effective way of utilizing the seismic data in the absence of image logs and cores for characterizing SSFs and fractures; (b) to present an unconventional way of data conditioning using geostatistical and structural filtering; (c) to provide an advanced workflow through multi-attributes, neural networks, and ant-colony optimization (ACO) for the recognition of fracture networks; and (d) to identify the fault and fracture orientation parameters within the study area. Initially, a steering cube was generated, and a dip-steered median filter (DSMF), a dip-steered diffusion filter (DSDF), and a fault enhancement filter (FEF) were applied to sharpen the discontinuities. Multiple structural attributes were applied and shortlisted, including dip and curvature attributes, filtered and unfiltered similarity attributes, thinned fault likelihood (TFL), fracture density, and fracture proximity. These shortlisted attributes were computed through unsupervised vector quantization (UVQ) neural networks. The results of the UVQ revealed the orientations, locations, and extensions of fractures in the study area. The ACO proved helpful in identifying the fracture parameters such as fracture length, dip angle, azimuth, and surface area. The adopted workflow also revealed a small scale fault which had an NNW–SSE orientation with minor heave and throw. The implemented workflow of structural interpretation is helpful for the field development of the study area and can be applied worldwide in carbonate, sand, coal, and shale gas fields.

3D diffraction imaging with Kirchhoff time migration using vertical traveltime difference gathers

Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. S555-S566 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhengwei Li ◽  
Jianfeng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Fresnel Zone ◽  
Lateral Position ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Diffraction Imaging ◽  
Dip Angle ◽  
Angle Gather

We have built a vertical traveltime difference (VTD) gather to image diffractions in the 3D time domain. This significantly improves detection of small-scale faults and heterogeneities in 3D seismic data. The VTD gather is obtained using 3D Kirchhoff prestack time migration based on the traveltime-related inline and crossline dip angles, which is closely related to the 2D dip-angle gather. In VTD gathers, diffraction events exhibit flattening, whereas reflection events have convex upward-sloping shapes. Different from the 2D dip-angle gather, Fresnel zone-related specular reflections are precisely focused on the given regions over all offsets and azimuths, thus leaving more diffraction energy after muting. To image linear diffractors, such as faults in three dimensions, the VTD gather can be extended into two dimensions by adding a dip-azimuth dimension. This makes it possible to correct phases of edge diffractions and detect the orientations of the linear diffractors. The memory requirement of the VTD or VTD plus azimuth gathers is much less than that of the 2D dip-angle gathers. We can store the gathers at each lateral position and then correct the phase and enhance the weak diffractions in 3D cases. Synthetic and field data tests demonstrate the effectiveness of our 3D diffraction imaging method.

Diffraction imaging using shot and opening-angle gathers: A prestack time migration approach

Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. S23-S33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianfeng Zhang ◽  
Jiangjie Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Field Data ◽  
Opening Angle ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Crucial Problem ◽  
Diffraction Imaging ◽  
Prestack Time Migration ◽  
Angle Gather ◽  
Fresnel Zones ◽  
Migration Velocities

We have developed a migration scheme that can image weak diffractions in time. This significantly contributes to conventional interpretation in detecting small-scale faults and heterogeneities. The proposed scheme images diffractions using the shot and opening-angle gathers generated by prestack time migration (PSTM). Here, the shot and opening-angle gather represents a 2D migrated gather in terms of shot locations and opening angles between the incident- and scattered-rays. We muted the Fresnel zones related to reflections, corrected phases of diffractions, and enhanced diffractions in the migrated gathers. As a result, the proposed diffraction PSTM can image diffractions with and without phase-reversal. Moreover, the weak diffractions tangent to reflections can be clearly imaged. Diffraction PSTM can update migration velocities according to behaviors of reflection and diffraction events in the migrated gathers by scanning, thus overcoming a crucial problem in diffraction imaging. The reflector dips used in diffraction PSTM are obtained by picking the angles related to reflections in the shot and opening-angle gathers for a partial migration. Synthetic and field data tests demonstrate the validity of diffraction PSTM.

Diffraction imaging method by Mahalanobis-based amplitude damping

Geophysics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (6) ◽  
pp. S399-S408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingtao Zhao ◽  
Suping Peng ◽  
Wenfeng Du ◽  
Xiaoting Li
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Migration Velocity ◽  
Field Application ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
High Resolution Imaging ◽  
Reflected Waves ◽  
Diffraction Imaging ◽  
Resolution Imaging

Clarifying and locating small-scale discontinuities or inhomogeneities in the subsurface, such as faults and collapsed columns, plays a vital role in safe coal mining because these discontinuities or inhomogeneities may destroy the continuity of layers and result in dangerous mining accidents. Diffractions carry key information from these objects and therefore can be used for high-resolution imaging. However, diffracted/scattered waves are much weaker than reflected waves and consequently require separation before being imaged. We have developed a Mahalanobis-based diffraction imaging method by modifying the classic Kirchhoff formula with an exponential function to account for the dynamic differences between reflections and diffractions in the shot domain. The imaging method can automatically account for destroying of reflected waves, constructive stacking of diffracted waves, and strengthening of scattered waves. The method can overcome the difficulties in handling Fresnel apertures, and it is suitable for high-resolution imaging because of the consistency of the waveforms in the shot domain. Although the proposed method in principle requires a good migration velocity model for calculating elementary diffraction traveltimes, it is robust to an inaccurate migration velocity model. Two numerical experiments demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method in removing reflections and highlighting diffractions, and one field application further confirms its efficiency in resolving masked faults and collapsed columns.

Imaging 3-D faults using diffractions with modified dip-angle gathers

2019 ◽  
Vol 220 (3) ◽  
pp. 1569-1584
Author(s):  
Zhengwei Li ◽  
Jianfeng Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Fresnel Zone ◽  
Specular Reflection ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Accurate Identification ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Diffraction Imaging ◽  
Prestack Time Migration ◽  
Dip Angle ◽  
Angle Gather ◽  
Fresnel Zones

SUMMARY Accurate identification of the locations and orientations of small-scale faults plays an important role in seismic interpretation. We have developed a 3-D migration scheme that can image small-scale faults using diffractions in time. This provides a resolution beyond the classical Rayleigh limit of half a wavelength in detecting faults. The scheme images weak diffractions by building a modified dip-angle gather, which is obtained by replacing the two dip angles dimensions of the conventional 2-D dip-angle gather with tangents of the dip angles. We build the modified 2-D dip-angle gathers by calculating the tangents of dip angles following 3-D prestack time migration (PSTM). In the resulting modified 2-D dip-angle gathers, the Fresnel zone related to the specular reflection exhibits an ellipse. Comparing with the conventional 2-D dip-angle gather, diffraction event related a fault exhibits a straight cylinder shape with phase-reversal across a line related the orientation of the fault. As a result, we can not only mute the Fresnel zones related to reflections, correct phase for edge diffractions and obtain the image of faults, but also detect the orientations of 3-D faults using the modified dip-angle gathers. Like the conventional dip-angle gathers, the modified dip-angle gathers can also be used to image diffractions resulting from other sources. 3-D Field data tests demonstrate the validity of the proposed diffraction imaging scheme.

scholarly journals Diffraction imaging to understand the internal fabric of mass-transport complexes from Gulf of Cadiz, south west Iberian Margin

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Ford ◽  
Roger Urgeles ◽  
Eulàlia Gràcia ◽  
Angelo Camerlenghi
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transport ◽  
Internal Structure ◽  
Shear Zones ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Reverse Fault ◽  
Gulf Of Cadiz ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Gulf Of Cádiz ◽  
Diffraction Imaging

<p>Outcrop examples of mass-transport complexes (MTCs) often show a complex internal fabric which reflects disaggregation, deformation and entrainment that occurred during transport and emplacement. This can include intense folding, included blocks of substratum and internal shear zones. Seismic reflection images often cannot properly image this internal fabric as the scale of such structure is usually below the effective resolution. This can limit seismic interpretation to characterising only the overall morphology of the deposits (the top and basal reflectors).</p><p>Seismic reflections are primarily generated by smooth, laterally continuous interfaces. Discontinuities at or below the scale of the seismic wavelength instead generate seismic diffractions (“diffraction hyperbolae” in unmigrated images). Diffractions are often ignored during seismic processing as they are generally lower in amplitude than reflections, though they do not suffer from the same lateral resolution limit as reflections so are potentially sensitive to smaller scale structure. We suggest that the discontinuous internal fabric of MTCs will generate a significant amount of diffraction energy relative to unfailed sediments.</p><p>The main goal of this study is to use diffraction imaging to image the small-scale, heterogeneous internal fabric of MTCs. We demonstrate this using two high-resolution, multi-channel 2-D marine seismic profiles (3.125 m CMP spacing, 500 m maximum offset) acquired in 2018 and 2019 as part of the INSIGHT project to investigate submarine geohazards in the Gulf of Cadiz. Profile 1 intersects the Marques de Pombal reverse fault and shows a series of stacked MTCs (~1 s TWTT from top to bottom) in the footwall, thought to be related to episodic fault activity. Profile 2 is located in the Portimão Bank area and contains two large MTCs thought to be related to the mobilisation of a salt diapir. The diffraction imaging method proceeds as i) dip-guided plane-wave destruction to separate reflected and diffracted wavefields; ii) velocity analysis by cascaded constant velocity migrations of the diffraction wavefield; iii) post-stack Kirchhoff time migration of the diffraction wavefield.</p><p>The unmigrated profiles show that the MTC bodies do generate more internal diffractions than the surrounding unfailed sediments. We also observe large contributions of diffraction energy from the rugose top and base of the MTCs, the rugose top salt interface and from faults within the unfailed sediments. The migrated diffraction images reveal distinct internal structure, thought to represent rafted blocks, ramps and both extensional and compressional faulting. The envelope of the diffraction image is used as an overlay on the conventional reflection image to guide interpretation and highlight potential diffractors. This allows interpretation of thin MTCs and improved delineation of their lateral extent (runout) above conventional reflection images.</p><p>Diffraction imaging has previously been used to image heterogeneous geology such as fracture networks, channel systems and karst topography. Here we apply the technique to study the internal fabric of MTCs. The resulting images resolve small-scale internal structure that is not well resolved by conventional reflection images. Such structures can be used as kinematic indicators to constrain flow direction and emplacement dynamics, which inform the geohazard potential of future subaqueous mass-movements.</p>

scholarly journals Common-reflection-surface-based prestack diffraction separation and imaging

Geophysics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. S47-S55 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parsa Bakhtiari Rad ◽  
Benjamin Schwarz ◽  
Dirk Gajewski ◽  
Claudia Vanelle
Keyword(s):  
Model Building ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Velocity Model Building ◽  
Common Reflection Surface ◽  
Diffraction Imaging ◽  
Zero Offset ◽  
Velocity Spectra

Diffraction imaging can lead to high-resolution characterization of small-scale subsurface structures. A key step of diffraction imaging and tomography is diffraction separation and enhancement, especially in the full prestack data volume. We have considered point diffractors and developed a robust and fully data-driven workflow for prestack diffraction separation based on wavefront attributes, which are determined using the common-reflection-surface (CRS) method. In the first of two steps, we apply a zero-offset-based extrapolation operator for prestack diffraction separation, which combines the robustness and stability of the zero-offset CRS processing with enhanced resolution and improved illumination of the finite-offset CRS processing. In the second step, when the finite-offset diffracted events are separated, we apply a diffraction-based time migration velocity model building that provides high-quality diffraction velocity spectra. Applications of the new workflow to 2D/3D complex synthetic data confirm the superiority of prestack diffraction separation over the poststack method as well as the high potential of diffractions for improved time imaging.

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