An experimental comparison of three direct methods of marine source signature estimation

Three methods for estimation of the pressure wavefield generated by a marine airgun array are tested experimentally and compared. In the trial a variety of radiation angles and array configurations were used and some large synchronization errors were deliberately introduced. The source was equipped with near-field hydrophones and a subsource ministreamer. A tethered far-field hydrophone was used so that the three estimated far-field signatures could be compared with an independent measurement. The knowledge of the source signature is important for on-board source array QC, deconvolution, multiple attenuation, stratigraphic trap prediction, modelling and inversion, AVO analysis and reservoir monitoring. The methods perform very well and give estimates whose frequency-domain spectra match the measured spectra to within a few dB and within a few tens of degrees of phase over the tested bandwidth of 3.5–110 Hz. The time-domain error-energy is typically only a few per cent of the signal energy for radiation angles within about 30° of the vertical. The third method proved to be sensitive to an experimental shortcoming leading to overloading of the ministreamer and meaningful comparison was not possible for some test configurations.     

ESTIMATION OF MARINE SOURCE SIGNATURES FROM DIRECT ARRIVALS TO HYDROPHONE GROUPS*

Deterministic deconvolution of seismic data recorded with a non-minimum phase source, such as a sparker, requires an estimate of the source signature. Present methods of deterministic signature estimation and deconvolution require additional field equipment (near- or far-field hydrophones), or else make a deterministic estimate of the effective source signature (the free-field source signature convolved with source and receiver ghosts). By analyzing the direct arrival signal to normal hydrophone groups it is shown that extraction of the free-field source signature from this signal is possible for a spherically symmetric source, and it is demonstrated that the use of this signature for a preliminary deterministic deconvolution gives better results on sparker data than minimum-phase whitening deconvolution applied on its own. The applicability of the method to non-spherically symmetric sources, such as arrays, is also discussed. This paper is published with the permission of the Director, Bureau of Mineral Resources, Geology and Geophysics, Canberra, Australia.     

Influencing factors of seismic signals generated by un-tuned large volume airgun array in a land reservoir

Un-tuned large volume airgun array in a water reservoir is recently proposed as a new way to generate seismic waves on land. It can be used to explore the earth velocity structure and its temporal variations as well. However, the characteristics of seismic signals (especially far-field signals) from an airgun array in a reservoir and its affecting factors (firing pressure, airgun towing depth, water level of the reservoir, etc.) has not been adequately studied. We analyzed the seismic data collected from field experiments at Binchuan Transmitting Seismic Station in 2011 and 2013 and found that (1) The similarity of seismic signals decrease with distance, which is most likely induced by the decay of signal amplitude and signal to noise ratio (SNR); (2) The amplitudes of far-field airgun signals are almost linearly proportional to the firing pressure; (3) The towing depth of airgun has less effects on the far-field signals; (4) The amplitudes of far-field airgun signals are proportional to the water level of the reservoir.     

立体气枪阵列延迟激发震源特性及在浅海区OBS探测中的应用

利用中、小容量气枪组成的立体气枪阵列延迟激发震源和海底地震仪(OBS)在我国北部浅海海域开展了人工地震深部地球物理探测试验.基于水深条件和压制水体虚反射、提升低频能量的需要,使气枪震源有足够的输出能量和高品质子波特性,研究了立体气枪阵列延迟激发震源工作机理,经远场子波理论模拟优选了组合参数并进行了海上试验工作.结果表明,中、小容量气枪组成的立体气枪阵列延迟激发震源,适应了浅水海域的激发环境,降低了由虚反射造成的局部陷波和干扰作用,有效地改善了OBS信号的品质,获得了Ps,Pg,PmP,Pn等多种震相.创新了由中、小容量气枪组成的立体气枪阵列延迟激发震源在浅海区OBS探测中的应用,也填补了南黄海海域深地震探测数据的空白,为南黄海、渤海深部地壳结构研究及含油气盆地形成演化研究提供了重要的基础资料.     

Controlled source strength variation by changing the firing pressure ‐ a sensitivity study for 4D calibration

For a 4D seismic operation to be successful, it is important to know what kind of 4D signal we expect to observe, as well as its magnitude. Normally, in a 4D feasibility study, we use rock physics models to quantify the effect of fluid or pressure changes within the reservoir and calculate the corresponding effects to the seismogram. However, to find if the predicted changes are actually observable at a given field, a dedicated calibration procedure might give valuable insight. One such procedure for marine seismics is to gradually change the source strength by varying the firing pressure in order to detect the sensitivity threshold for a given subsurface reflection. This procedure would be practical and feasible if the change of the source signature changes linearly with the source pressure. However, non‐linear effects will lead to minor changes in the later arrivals of the source signature, the so‐called bubble. By investigating these introduced errors for a reasonable air‐gun array we conclude that the method is still feasible since we find it possible to control and diminish the impact of the introduced errors.     

Passive (Micro-) Seismic Event Detection by Identifying Embedded “Event” Anomalies Within Statistically Describable Background Noise

Among engineers there is considerable interest in the real-time identification of “events” within time series data with a low signal to noise ratio. This is especially true for acoustic emission analysis, which is utilized to assess the integrity and safety of many structures and is also applied in the field of passive seismic monitoring (PSM). Here an array of seismic receivers are used to acquire acoustic signals to monitor locations where seismic activity is expected: underground excavations, deep open pits and quarries, reservoirs into which fluids are injected or from which fluids are produced, permeable subsurface formations, or sites of large underground explosions. The most important element of PSM is event detection: the monitoring of seismic acoustic emissions is a continuous, real-time process which typically runs 24?h a day, 7?days a week, and therefore a PSM system with poor event detection can easily acquire terabytes of useless data as it does not identify crucial acoustic events. This paper outlines a new algorithm developed for this application, the so-called SEED? (Signal Enhancement and Event Detection) algorithm. The SEED? algorithm uses real-time Bayesian recursive estimation digital filtering techniques for PSM signal enhancement and event detection.     

祁连山气枪主动震源浮台漂移钢索悬吊控制技术

针对地下介质动态变化监测研究中的信噪比、震源可重复性和波速精确测量等关键问题,利用大容量气枪作为主动震源,构建了一套高性能的主动源探测技术系统,该系统主要由气枪震源和信号接收部分组成。为了解决浮台偏离设定位置的问题 ,提出了浮台漂移控制技术。实验结果表明,该技术可以有效地解决气枪激发后浮台受到水流冲击作用而偏离设定位置的问题。本研究结果可为一定激发场地情况下的气枪主动震源重复探测工作所借鉴。     

地震勘探中的时间-暴光声学

本文提出用于地下成像无源地震方法的分析,在该方法中应用环境地震噪声作为地下散射体的照明源。该成像算法能够以递归方式将新的数据融入到成像中,这使成像背景噪声随时间减少。在空间域不相干环境背景噪声的假设前提下推导出成像算法的点-扩展函数。点-扩展函数表征成像的分辨率,即接收排列长度和环境带宽的函数。     

Testing the ability of surface arrays to monitor microseismic activity

Recently there has been much interest in the use of data from surface arrays in conjunction with migration‐based processing methods for passive seismic monitoring. In this study we use an example of this kind of data recorded whilst 18 perforation shots, with a variety of positions and propellant amounts, were detonated in the subsurface. As the perforation shots provide signals with known source positions and origin times, the analysis of these data is an invaluable opportunity to test the accuracy and ability of surface arrays to detect and locate seismic sources in the subsurface. In all but one case the signals from the perforation shots are not visible in the raw or preprocessed data. However, clear source images are produced for 12 of the perforation shots showing that arrays of surface sensors are capable of imaging microseismic events, even when the signals are not visible in individual traces. We find that point source locations are within typically 45 m (laterally) of the true shot location, however the depths are less well constrained (～150 m). We test the sensitivity of our imaging method to the signal‐to‐noise ratio in the data using signals embedded in realistic noise. We find that the position of the imaged shot location is quite insensitive to the level of added noise, the primary effect of increased noise being to defocus the source image. Given the migration approach, the array geometry and the nature of coherent noise during the experiment, signals embedded in noise with ratios ≥0.1 can be used to successfully image events. Furthermore, comparison of results from data and synthetic signals embedded in noise shows that, in this case, prestack corrections of traveltimes to account for near‐surface structure will not enhance event detectability. Although, the perforation shots have a largely isotropic radiation pattern the results presented here show the potential for the use of surface sensors in microseismic monitoring as a viable alternative to classical downhole methods.     

反卷积在人工震源数据处理中的应用

震源到接收台站之间的地层响应函数能够反映地下介质信息。对地震波传播过程中的卷积模型进行推导:记录信号是众多震源子波经过时移加权叠加的结果;通过反卷积方法可去除震源子波信息,提取震源到接收台站之间的地层响应函数;地层响应函数中第一个突跳值对应的时间即为P波走时。在河北赤城—张北地区进行人工震源实验,通过反卷积计算得到该地区地层响应函数剖面图,得出P波波速约6 km/s。利用人工震源系统还可以对地下介质波速变化进行长期动态监测,对地震预测具有一定意义。     

Improving Airgun Signal Detection with Small-Aperture Seismic Array in Yunnan

Repeating airgun sources are eco-friendly sources for monitoring the changes in the physical properties of subsurface mediums, but their signals decay quickly and are buried in the noises soon after traveling short distances. Stacking waveforms from different airgun shots recorded by a single seismic station (shot stacking) is the most popular technique to detect weak signals from noisy backgrounds, and has been widely used to process the data of Fixed Airgun Signal Transmission Stations (FASTS) in China. However, shot stacking sacrifices the time resolution in monitoring to recover a qualified airgun signal by stacking many shots at distance stations, and also suffers from persistent local noises. In this paper, we carried out several small-aperture seismic array experiments around the Binchuan FAST Station (BCFASTS) in Yunnan Province,China, and applied the array technique to improve airgun signal detection. The results show that seismic array processing combining with shot stacking can suppress seismic noises more efficiently, and provide better signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and coherent airgun signals with less airgun shots. This work suggests that the array technique is a feasible and promising tool in FAST to increase the time resolution and reduce noise interference on routine monitoring.     

大容量气枪震源子波激发特性分析

大容量气枪水库激发作为陆地震源的可行性与有效性已经得到成功验证.为进一步提高气枪震源激发效果,本文通过水库气枪激发试验对单枪容量为2000 in³的气枪震源激发子波特征及规律进行了研究.依据近场水听器和远场短周期地震仪记录数据,分析气枪震源沉放深度、工作压力等不同激发条件对压力脉冲和气泡脉冲的影响.有助于人们根据不同尺度地下结构探测对震源激发信号的要求,调整气枪激发参数和激发环境,获得最佳激发效果.试验结果表明：（1）沉放深度对压力脉冲波形影响较小,其优势频率不随沉放深度而改变;（2）随着沉放深度从5 m增加到11 m,气泡脉冲的优势频率由5 Hz增加至7 Hz,其最大振幅亦近线性递增;（3）工作压力越大,激发压力脉冲能量越强,而对气泡脉冲的影响主要体现在主频降低.适合远距离深穿透地下结构探测的低频信号主要来自大容量气枪所激发气泡的反复振荡,由于气枪振荡过程非常复杂,本文通过较为简洁的数学和物理模型进行了解释.     

区域应力作用引起的北天山地区地下流体异常特征分析

大量观测事实表明 ,赋存于地壳深部的流体 (水、气、油 )作为弹性介质 ,对深层地壳应力的分布、变化、转移过程及地震孕育、发生等有着较为灵敏的反映。地震的形成与区域构造应力活动强度密切相关 ,这种大范围的区域应力作用会形成多个应力集中点 ,在众多应力集中点上可产生地下流体前兆异常变化。在对新疆地下流体数十年的监测中 ,发现强震前出现大量与地震有关的由区域构造应力活动引起的前兆异常 ,异常范围广且种类繁多 ,它们在成因、特征上与震源应力活动的前兆异常明显不同 ;这种地下水位地震前兆异常场 ,不能完全孤立地与单个地震事件相对应 ,应充分考虑到它与一组或系列地震有关 ,而这些地震往往与块体挤压、断裂活动等区域性的应力活动有关。因此 ,正确区分并掌握其不同的特性 ,对地震预报具有一定的意义     

OFFSET SOURCE VSP SURVEYS AND THEIR IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION*

Zero-offset-source VSP surveys provide information about the subsurface only within the Fresnel zone centered at the well. Offsetting the source location moves the reflection zones away from the well thus providing lateral cover. Conventional processing of this type of data gives rise to a distorted image of the subsurface. Using a simple ray-tracing scheme, this image may be reconstructed into the more familiar coordinate system of the surface seismic section. This simple data-independent mapping is based on the assumption of horizontal layering and requires a vertical velocity profile. The technique of placing the source away from the borehole was first applied to the single-offset-source VSP survey. However, data from any survey geometry (such as deviated well with rig source, walkaway VSP, etc.) can be mapped to the coordinate system defined by the appropriate seismic section. To obtain the best results from this type of survey the target area must be defined and simple modeling techniques used to optimize the source location(s). These pre-survey modeling methods may also be used to anticipate—and hence avoid a number of problem areas which experience has highlighted. The data from any VSP survey is the result of a realizable experiment and as such obeys the wave equation. This implies that the wave equation may be used to migrate the data to its true subsurface location. Theoretically, such a process is more secure than ray-tracing techniques, although its practice presents many difficulties.     

SIMULTANEOUS VIBROSEIS RECORDING1

An experiment was undertaken at BP's Fulbeck Geophysical test site to compare the viability of various simultaneous vibroseis recording techniques, which are often recommended as a means of improving data acquisition production rates for 3D seismic surveys. Of particular interest were: (a) the ability to separate the signals from each source during processing, (b) the generation and suppression of harmonics and (c) the effects of any source interaction. Two vibrators were deployed with a baseplate separation of 10 m, about a borehole containing a vertical array of geophones. Our analysis concentrated on the groundforce signals measured at each vibrator and the far-field signatures measured using a vertical geo-phone at a depth of 204 m. By comparing single vibrator records with similar but separated records from a simultaneous recording sequence, signal separability, harmonic suppression and vibrator interaction could be fully studied. Separated far-field signatures from simultaneous vibroseis methods using combinations of up and downsweeps exhibited unsuppressed harmonics and substantial energy from the undesired source which leaked through the correlation process. The ‘up/down’ method was capable of separating the signal from each source by only 12.7 dB, and is therefore unsuitable as a field technique. The variphase simultaneous vibroseis methods studied afforded some harmonic suppression and gave signal separations of about 30.0 dB. Use of variphase simultaneous vibroseis methods will compromise the quality of the data recorded, when compared with single-source acquisition methods. None of the simultaneous vibroseis methods tested provided adequate signal separation and, therefore, cannot be recommended as data acquisition techniques. The ‘alternate sweeping’ method coupled with multispread recording will give the desired improvement in data acquisition rates, while preserving the necessary quality of our seismic data.     

SYSTEM APPROACH TO AIR-GUN ARRAY DESIGN *

To specify intelligently a nondynamite source in a marine seismic data-collection system, it is important to use all known parameters of the system—source, receiver, and recording-system characteristics. A technique has been developed to design the far-field pressure pulse of an air-gun array by taking these parameters into account. Important source variables to consider are interaction among guns in the array and the depth of the array. Near-field pressure signatures of individual guns, which are relatively unaffected by boundaries, have been used to‘construct’the far-field pressure pulse of the array by considering these variables. Comparison between constructed pulses and measured far-field pulses shows substantial agreement. Streamer depth and recording-system bandpass should also be considered when designing an air-gun array. Comparison of far-field pressure pulses for several bandpasses clearly shows the importance of considering this variable; e.g., the initial pulse is severely attenuated when a high-cut filter is used. Likewise, an additional filtering effect due to the streamer's proximity to the surface should be taken into account. Design of an air-gun array using the principles just outlined are illustrated by an example.     

地震数据的反射波动方程最小二乘偏移

基于反射波动方程,本文提出了一种估计地下反射率分布的地震数据最小二乘偏移方法.高频近似下,非齐次的一次反射波动方程的源项是由反射率与入射波场的时间一阶导数相互作用产生的.根据反射波动方程,利用线性最小二乘反演方法由地震反射数据重建出地下产生反射波的反射源,再结合波场正演计算出的地下入射波场,得到地下反射率分布的估计.在地下反射源的线性最小二乘反演重建中,我们采用迭代求解方法,并以地震波的检波器单向地下照明强度作为最小二乘优化问题中Hessian矩阵的近似.     

IMAGING CAPABILITY OF CROSS-HOLE SEISMIC REFLECTION SURVEYS1

In seismic migration, it is important to sample a range of dips around the local structural dip at each image point. Meaningful images are obtained only where this condition holds. For cross-hole seismic reflection surveys, the distribution of dips sampled at each image point is controlled principally by the survey geometry, including source and receiver array lengths and their element spacings. Using a real data set as an example, we show how survey geometry can limit imaging capability close to the boreholes and even in the middle of the section between the boreholes. At the processing stage, effective removal of direct waves and accurate estimation of the velocity field are essential for optimizing image quality. For migration, we propose a generalized Berryhill (GB) scheme which is based on the Kirchhoff integral and takes into account both the near-field and far-field terms. This should improve the ability to image close to source and receiver arrays, provided that the element spacing in the nearby array is small enough.     

Co-seismic Water Level and Temperature Responses of Some Wells to Far-Field Strong Earthquakes and Their Mechanisms

The observation of water temperature in deep wells has been carried out for more than 20 years in China.However,study on the mechanism of water temperature response to earthquakes is inadequate.During the study of the co-seismic response characteristics of water level and temperature in 121 wells within the China subsurface fluid monitoring network at the time of the December 26,2004,M-S8.7 Indonesia earthquake,we found regular response characteristics,that is,when the water level in a deep well oscillates,the water temperature in the same well will mostly experience a cycle from dropping to restoration at the same time.The process will continue for dozens of minutes to several hours.In order to confirm the observed phenomenon,we collected the digital water level and temperature observation data for 39 far-field strong earthquakes from the Tangshan well in Hebei Province(with the data set beginning in 2001).The same response characteristics were observed.Based on the analysis of the influencing factors that may cause the water temperature drop,the authors suggest the gas escape mechanism for co-seismic water temperature drop and posit two main factors that influence the water temperature drop during the process of gas escape.Finally,the authors provide a rational explanation of some observed phenomena based on the mechanism.     

哈萨克斯坦地震台阵

在哈萨克斯坦的5个现代化数字地震台阵中,4个小孔径同心圆结构的IMS简约型台阵建设、维护方便,全方位监测能力强,1个十字型结构中等孔径台阵,因对特定方位敏感,对更远距离已知核试验点监测能力更强。台阵观测场地均处于完整稳定的构造块体,内部岩石迁移性良好,噪声水平低,保证了对远处微弱地震信号的监测及各子台信号的相似性。地震检波器良好的性能,保证了台阵的地震信号记录质量和数据研究基础。采用卫星传输方式,有效保证了数据的实时性。哈萨克斯坦的地震台阵,其选址、布局、仪器、数据传输等台阵建设,为中国地震台阵发展建设提供了经验借鉴。