Stochastic inversion of geophysical data for estimating earth model parameters
US8095345B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 20, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jan 10, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 24, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V2210/665
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A computer implemented stochastic inversion method for estimating model parameters of an earth model. In an embodiment, the method utilizes a sampling-based stochastic technique to determine the probability density functions (PDF) of the model parameters that define a boundary-based multi-dimensional model of the subsurface. In some embodiments a sampling technique known as Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) is utilized. MCMC techniques fall into the class of “importance sampling” techniques, in which the posterior probability distribution is sampled in proportion to the model's ability to fit or match the specified acquisition geometry. In another embodiment, the inversion includes the joint inversion of multiple geophysical data sets. Embodiments of the invention also relate to a computer system configured to perform a method for estimating model parameters for accurate interpretation of the earth's subsurface.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.