Three-dimensional seismic imaging of complex velocity structures
US6018499A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 20, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 25, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V2210/51
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Accurate and reliable traveltimes for a seismic exploration volume having a complex velocity structure are generated by selectively advancing a traveltime front at its minimum traveltime grid point, using an entropy-satisfying finite-difference approximation to the eikonal equation. A narrow band propagation zone is used to advance the finite difference stencil. Tentative traveltimes for the narrow band adjacent to the traveltime front are computed using the eikonal equation and arranged on a heap. The minimum traveltime (top of the heap) is selected as an accepted traveltime, saved in the output table, and removed from the heap. Tentative traveltimes for all non-accepted grid points neighboring the selected point are then computed/recomputed and put on the heap. The traveltime computation is fast, unconditionally stable, resolves any overturning propagation wavefronts, and ensures that the eikonal equation is globally solved for each point of the 3-D grid. The traveltimes accurately characterize the propagation of seismic signals through the volume. The traveltimes are used for accurately imaging the volume.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.