APPLICATION OF ELASTIC MODELLING IN PROCESSING AND INTERPRETATION OF VSP DATA: A CASE HISTORY1

Data from offshore Norway is used to study applications of elastic VSP modelling in detecting shear waves and observing the effects of successive mode conversion in field-recorded VSP data. The shear-wave velocities and densities from log data are used in conjunction with compressional wave velocities determined from surface seismic and log data in the VSP modelling. The time domain non-normal incidence elastic VSP modelling technique of Aminzadeh and Mendel is used as the modelling algorithm. Two surface seismograms are computed first. One is the vertical component and the other is the horizontal component for plane waves that have specified incident angles. A downward continuation method is then applied to generate seismograms at different depth points. The collection of these seismograms constitutes non-normal incidence VSPs. Both vertical and horizontal components of VSP data can be obtained by this procedure. In this paper non-normal incidence VSPs are generated for a 12.5° incident plane wave. The modelling results of layered earth systems of thin layers and thick layers are both compared with field data, and the effect of mode conversions in thin layers is observed. Several events in the field data can be explained by this elastic VSP modelling. Comparison of the model data and field data enabled a probable tube wave or out-of-plane event to be identified, the removal of which significantly improved the final VSP section. This study also shows how the VSP data helped the interpretation of the surface 3D data.     

Moveout approximation for vertical seismic profile geometry in a 2D model with anisotropic layers

I introduce a new explicit form of vertical seismic profile (VSP) traveltime approximation for a 2D model with non‐horizontal boundaries and anisotropic layers. The goal of the new approximation is to dramatically decrease the cost of time calculations by reducing the number of calculated rays in a complex multi‐layered anisotropic model for VSP walkaway data with many sources. This traveltime approximation extends the generalized moveout approximation proposed by Fomel and Stovas. The new equation is designed for borehole seismic geometry where the receivers are placed in a well while the sources are on the surface. For this, the time‐offset function is presented as a sum of odd and even functions. Coefficients in this approximation are determined by calculating the traveltime and its first‐ and second‐order derivatives at five specific rays. Once these coefficients are determined, the traveltimes at other rays are calculated by this approximation. Testing this new approximation on a 2D anisotropic model with dipping boundaries shows its very high accuracy for offsets three times the reflector depths. The new approximation can be used for 2D anisotropic models with tilted symmetry axes for practical VSP geometry calculations. The new explicit approximation eliminates the need of massive ray tracing in a complicated velocity model for multi‐source VSP surveys. This method is designed not for NMO correction but for replacing conventional ray tracing for time calculations.     

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.     

COMPUTATION OF ZERO-OFFSET VERTICAL SEISMIC PROFILES INCLUDING GEOMETRICAL SPREADING AND ABSORPTION*

Synthetic vertical seismic profiles (VSP) provide a useful tool in the interpretation of VSP data, allowing the interpreter to analyze the propagation of seismic waves in the different layers. A zero-offset VSP modeling program can also be used as part of an inversion program for estimating the parameters in a layered model of the subsurface. Proposed methods for computing synthetic VSP are mostly based on plane waves in a horizontally layered elastic or anelastic medium. In order to compare these synthetic VSP with real data a common method is to scale the data with the spherical spreading factor of the primary reflections. This will in most cases lead to artificial enhancement of multiple reflections. We apply the ray series method to the equations of motion for a linear viscoelastic medium after having done a Fourier transformation with respect to the time variable. This results in a complex eikonal equation which, in general, appears to be difficult to solve. For vertically traveling waves in a horizontally layered viscoelastic medium the solution is easily found to be the integral along the ray of the inverse of the complex propagation velocity. The spherical spreading due to a point source is also complex, and it is equal to the integral along the ray of the complex propagation velocity. Synthetic data examples illustrate the differences between spherical, cylindrical, and plane waves in elastic and viscoelastic layered media.     

Interpretation of first arrival travel times in seismic refraction work

The necessary condition for the seismic refraction method to succeed is that the refracted first arrivals from each layer in a multilayered earth system should be detected on a seismogram as first arrivals, and this is possible only when velocities of all underlying layers are successively greater. The usual procedure to interpret the refraction travel times is to fit such a data set with several intersecting straight lines by employing a visual technique which may lead to errors of subjective judgment, as the velocity model depends on the selection of various line segments through the data. To remove the visual fit we propose here a layer stripping method based on minimum intercept time, apparent velocity, rms residual, and maximum data points by least-squares fitting to yield several intersecting straight lines. Once data are segmented out, the conventional equations can be used to determine the velocity structure.     

井-地观测系统（3D+VSP）和基于模型的处理技术有关问题的讨论

对了解地下构造和描绘地下油气分布来说,用地面地震勘探技术可以分辩15～30 m的地层.低分辨率和缺乏详细的速度信息会降低地面地震勘探的效果,在研究更薄细的油气储层和研究已研究过的老区时,我们要采用一些更先进的勘探技术,对储层进行更精确的预测和描绘.本文分析了 VSP、测井和地面地震勘探各自的优势、不足和局限,采用VSP方法,我们只能得到井周围一定空问内的丰富速度信息,而详细的速度模型可以极大地提高地面地震勘探的效果.据此分析,组合VSP和地面地震方法优势的井-地观测系统(3D VSP),可有效地增加信息量,并可通过引入VSP数据处理时所用的基于模型的处理技术,来使井-地观测系统的优势进一步扩大,在此基础上,如果与精细测井相结合,可以更好的寻找和开发剩余油气,这将是我们今后重要的发展方向.     

THE RESOLUTION OF NARROW LOW-VELOCITY ZONES WITH THE GENERALIZED RECIPROCAL METHOD1

The depth to the surface of a refractor and the seismic velocity within the refractor are very often intimately related. In the shallow environment, increased thicknesses of weathering occur in areas of jointing, shearing or lithological variations, and these zones of deeper weathering can have lower subweathering refractor velocities. This association is important in geotechnical investigations and in the measurement of weathering thicknesses and sub-weathering velocities for statics corrections for reflection seismic surveys. Algorithms, which employ forward and reverse traveltime data and which explicitly accommodate the offset distance through the process known as refraction migration, are necessary if detailed structure on a refractor and rapid lateral variations of the seismic velocity within it are to be resolved. These requirements are satisfied with wavefront construction techniques, Hales’ method and the generalized reciprocal method (GRM). However, these methods employ refraction migration in fundamentally different manners. Most methods compute an offset distance with an often imprecise knowledge of the seismic velocities of the overlying layers. In contrast, the GRM uses a range of offset distances from less than to greater than the optimum value, with the optimum value being selected with a minimum-variance criterion. The approach of the GRM is essential where there are undetected layers and where there are rapid variations in the depth to a refractor and the seismic velocity within it. In the latter situations the offset distance necessary to define the seismic velocities can differ considerably from the value required to define depths. The efficacy of the GRM in resolving structure and seismic velocity is demonstrated with three model studies and two field examples.     

OBTAINING INTERVAL VELOCITIES FROM STACKING VELOCITIES WHEN DIPPING HORIZONS ARE INCLUDED *

Common-depth-point stacking velocities may differ from root-mean-square velocities because of large offset and because of dipping reflectors. This paper shows that the two effects may be treated separately, and proceeds to examine the effect of dip. If stacking velocities are assumed equal to rms velocities for the purpose of time to depth conversion, then errors are introduced comparable to the difference between migrated and unmigrated depths. Consequently, if the effect of dip on stacking velocity is ignored, there is no point in migrating the resulting depth data. For a multi-layered model having parallel dip, a formula is developed to compute interval velocities and depths from the stacking velocities, time picks, and time slope of the seismic section. It is shown that cross-dip need not be considered, if all the reflectors have the same dip azimuth. The problem becomes intractable if the dips are not parallel. But the inverse problem is soluble: to obtain, stacking velocities; time picks, and time slopes from a given depth and interval velocity model. Finally, the inverse solution is combined with an approximate forward solution. This provides an iterative method to obtain depths and interval velocities from stacking velocities, time picks and time slopes. It is assumed that the dip azimuth is the same for all reflectors, but not necessarily in the plane of the section, and that the curvature of the reflecting horizons is negligible. The effect of onset delay is examined. It is shown that onset corrections may be unnecessary when converting from time to depth.     

地震波衰减规律及其恢复方法

针对地面地震分辨率低,不能有效识别薄层储层、薄层地层等问题,本文通过地震波衰减规律的分析,提出了一种恢复地震波高频衰减获得宽频带地震剖面的方法,从而大幅度地提高了地震分辨率.应用双井微地震测井资料对松辽盆地地震波动力学特征研究表明,地震波衰减规律是在近地表低速层和近地表低速层的近震源区地震波高频衰减巨大,而在高速层地震波高频衰减很小.药量大近震源区地震波高频衰减大,药量小近震源区地震波高频衰减小.那么,近震源区和近地表低速层对地震波的衰减是地面地震资料频带窄、分辨率低的主要原因.据此提出了如下确定性反褶积方法,用双井微地震测井资料求取近震源区、近地表低速层和虚反射等滤波因子,用其对地面地震资料作确定性反褶积处理,从而恢复近震源区、近地表低速层等几种因素的地震波衰减,将大药量激发地表接收的地面地震延拓成小药量激发高速层接收的宽频带地震.应用该方法对松辽盆地优势频带宽5~90 Hz,视主频50 Hz的地面地震资料处理后,地震剖面优势频带宽达5~360 Hz,视主频达180 Hz,使常规地震剖面分辨率提高2倍.具体的说松辽盆地中部含油组合的地面地震分辨能力由9~15 m提高到3~5 m.宽频带地震剖面与160 Hz的人工合成地震记录对比符合的很好,表明其处理结果是正确.该成果在油气勘探开发中的油气储层预测、构造学研究、沉积学研究等方面有重要的意义.     

Layer-stripping reverse-time migration1

We present a layer-stripping method of migration for irregularly layered media in which first-order velocity discontinuities separate regions of constant or smoothly varying velocity. We use the reverse-time method to migrate seismic data layer by layer, from the surface downwards. As part of the migration of a given layer, the bottom boundary of the layer is defined based on power in the migrated signal, and a seismic section is collected along it. This new section serves as the boundary condition for migration in the next layer. This procedure is repeated for each layer, with the final image formed from the individual layer images. Layer-stripping migration consists of three steps: (1) layer definition, (2) wavefield extrapolation and imaging, and (3) boundary determination. The migration scheme when used with reverse-time extrapolation is similar to datuming with an imaging condition. The reverse-time method uses an explicit fourth-order time, tenth-order space, finite-difference approximation to the scalar wave equation. The advantages of layer-stripping reverse-time migration are: (1) it preserves the benefits of the reverse-time method by handling strong velocity contrasts between layers and steeply dipping structures; (2) it reduces computer memory and saves computation time in high-velocity layers, and (3) it allows interpretational control of the image. Post-stack layer-stripping reverse-time migration is illustrated with a synthetic CMP data example. Prestack migration is illustrated with a synthetic data set and with a marine seismic reflection profile across the Santa Maria Basin and the Hosgri Fault in central California.     

变质岩区地震波速度的特点及其影响因素--以中国大陆科学钻探孔区为例

地震波速度是地震勘探中最重要的一个参数，而VSP测量是一种比较直接且行之有效的获取地震波速度的方法。文中结合中国大陆科学钻探工程预先导孔和先导孔的VSP速度分析成果，总结超高压变质岩地区地震波速度的主要特征；探讨影响变质岩地震波速度的因素。认为除密度和岩性外，变质作用的类型和强度是决定性因素，而变质期后和／或后期的各种构造地质作用对变质岩地震波速度的影响是显著的，但范围常常又是局部的。     

POSSIBILITIES OF USING VERTICAL GEOPHONE ARRAYS (CVA) IN REFLECTION SEISMOLOGY*

Vertical geophone arrays in boreholes have been used for many years to study seismic velocities by investigating the first arrivals of records. The development of the vertical seismic profiling (VSP) technique shows possibilities of using the reflected events to close the gap between interpretation of conventional seismic data and physical observations made in the well. Reflected events recorded by vertical arrays (as in VSP) generally have higher signal-to-noise ratio, larger bandwidth and can easily be separated from multiples. The new Continuous Vertical Array (CVA) technique combines vertical arrays in several boreholes with a line of source points near the surface. The result is a multi-covered seismic line similar to that of a conventional seismic survey, but it retains the benefits of observations with vertical arrays. The possibilities of the new technique are discussed with the aid of theoretical considerations, model studies, and a first field case using nine boreholes 500 m apart with depths of 400 m. New data acquisition and processing techniques (mainly migration before stack) have been developed. The CVA-seismic method is still in the development stage but promises new possibilities for detailed surveys in difficult areas.     

含煤层地质环境下地震波场的数值模拟

本文对含低速煤层地质环境下弹性波场多波多分量地震资料进行了二维数值模拟研究,对人工边界反射进行了有效处理,频散效应得到了有效的压制,对几种不同激发与观测排列方式下的弹性波资料进行了模型计算与分析。     

MAKING AVO SECTIONS MORE ROBUST1

When large quantities of seismic data are involved it is impossible to examine all gathers by eye for AVO anomalies. The standard approach is to compute, for each amplitude profile (at a specific time) on each gather, the intercept and gradient of a straight-line fit to seismic amplitudes. These intercepts and gradients are each plotted as a sort of seismic section - an intercept section, and a gradient section. Estimation of the intercept and gradient for a straight-line fit to each amplitude profile proceeds traditionally via least-squares. Two undesirable features can be hidden from the user by the fitting procedure, namely (i) the effect of outlying or uncharacteristic amplitudes on the intercept and gradient estimates, and (ii) complete breakdown of the straight-line model for the amplitudes, thus rendering meaningless the intercept and gradient estimates. It should be remembered that least-squares can always fit any sequence of numbers to any other sequence of numbers; checks are needed to show that the result is meaningful. It is shown that statistically robust estimation methods can greatly limit the damage done by outlying amplitudes, and that a simple test on the model, the runs-statistic, is capable of detecting breakdown of the straight-line assumption. It is demonstrated using two seismic data sets that these two techniques, used in tandem, facilitate much better quality control of AVO intercept and gradient calculations.     

中国大陆科学钻探孔区的数字三分量反射地震调查

本文将简要介绍在大陆科学钻探孔区进行数字三分量地震勘探试验数据采集处理技术,以及取得的初步成果. 鉴于结晶岩地区波场的复杂性,在剖面调查之前要先进行波场特征调查,才能确定三分量地震调查观测系统采集参数.数据处理中与水平分量处理有关的三个困难环节包括静校正、速度分析与动校叠加,必须有所创新.在大陆科学钻探工程中,三分量数字地震调查之所以放在终孔后才进行,主要是因为三分量地震解释要以钻孔资料和VSP成果为基础.如果没有岩芯物性测定资料或VSP纵横波速度计算曲线,横波速度剖面模式就难以建立,水平分量数据处理和解释就难以进行.与单分量地震调查相比,水平分量采集处理提供了转换波信息,可反映独特的很有意义的地质信息.在三分量数字地震调查X分量深度叠加剖面左半边深度2600～3400 m区段出现密集的水平反射层,与Z分量反射剖面和变质岩片倾向不一致.对比主孔气体异常曲线可知,这些水平反射是地层中流体含量升高的反映.     

Calculation of elastic properties in lower part of the Kola borehole from bulk chemical compositions of core samples

In-situ elastic properties in deep boreholes are controlled by several factors, mainly by lithology, petrofabric, fluid-filled cracks and pores. In order to separate the effects of different factors it is useful to extract lithology-controlled part from observedin-situ velocities. For that purpose we calculated mineralogical composition and isotropic crack-free elastic properties in the lower part of the Kola borehole from bulk chemical compositions of core samples. We use a new technique of petrophysical modeling based on thermodynamic approach. The reasonable accuracy of the modeling is confirmed by comparison with the observations of mineralogical composition and laboratory measurements of density and elastic wave velocities in upper crustal crystalline rocks at high confining pressure. Calculations were carried out for 896 core samples from the depth segment of 6840–10535m. Using these results we estimate density and crack-free isotropic elastic properties of 554 lithology-defined layers composing this depth segment. Average synthetic P- wave velocity appears to be 2.7% higher than the velocity from Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP), and 5% higher than sonic log velocity. Average synthetic S-wave velocity is 1.4 % higher than that from VSP. These differences can be explained by superposition of effects of fabric-related anisotropy, cracks aligned parallel to the foliation plain, and randomly oriented cracks, with the effect of cracks being the predominant control. Low sonic log velocities are likely caused by drilling-induced cracking (hydrofractures) in the borehole walls. The calculated synthetic density and velocity cross-sections can be used for much more detailed interpretations, for which, however, new, more detailed and reliable seismic data are required.     

大陆架科学钻探CSDP-2井的垂直地震剖面测量

南黄海海相地层的地震波场特征和层位标定一直是困扰地震勘探的重要问题.为了近距离、高精度和高分辨率地观测井周围构造特征和岩石性质引起的波场变化,为地震资料的采集、处理与解释提供地震波衰减规律、速度与层位标定等信息,对大陆架科学钻探CSDP-2井实施了近零偏移距垂直地震剖面（VSP）观测.针对海相地层顶部强反射界面地震波穿透难的问题,采用了大容量气枪震源并设计了气枪阵列组合方式,提高了激发地震波的能量,获得了强反射界面之下清晰的PP、PS下行波和上行波信号.采用了三分量偏振合成、组合滤波和波场分离等处理方法,对VSP观测数据进行处理,获得了海相三叠系—志留系的精细的纵波、横波速度结构和地层吸收因子等物性数据,建立了钻井地层、测井、VSP上行波和多道地震剖面对应关系,实现了不同尺度的地质和地球物理属性资料的有效衔接,标定了钻井地质剖面上各深度地质体的地震反射特性,厘定了过井地震剖面上反射同相轴的地质属性.此次观测取得的纵波、横波速度信息,成为建立南黄海海相地层速度模型主要的资料来源,也是地震资料的岩性反演处理不可缺少的信息.     

地震相干偏移与数据自参照偏移的关系

地震相干偏移和数据自参照偏移是最近几年发展起来的地震成像新方法,并且已在地震勘探研究领域开始应用.该方法在VSP（垂直地震剖面）中的应用尤其值得关注,因为它部分地解决了一些在地面反射地震方法中难以解决的问题.地震相干偏移是用地震数据的互相关处理后的数据进行偏移,而数据自参照偏移则不必在偏移前对数据进行互相关处理,而是通过记录数据中的两个不同部分波场的延拓来互相参照进行偏移.二者的优点都是在偏移运算中可以不考虑原始震源位置、激发时间以及地震波初始传播路径.本文从偏移成像的理论出发分析了这两类算法,发现二者在成像原理上是一致的.本文还通过一个二维VSP多次波偏移的数值模拟实验,比较和归纳了这两类算法在实际应用中的特点.     

Monte-Carlo Bayesian look-ahead inversion of walkaway vertical seismic profiles

We describe a method to invert a walkaway vertical seismic profile (VSP) and predict elastic properties (P‐wave velocity, S‐wave velocity and density) in a layered model looking ahead of the deepest receiver. Starting from Bayes's rule, we define a posterior distribution of layered models that combines prior information (on the overall variability of and correlations among the elastic properties observed in well logs) with information provided by the VSP data. This posterior distribution of layered models is sampled by a Monte‐Carlo method. The sampled layered models agree with prior information and fit the VSP data, and their overall variability defines the uncertainty in the predicted elastic properties. We apply this technique first to a zero‐offset VSP data set, and show that uncertainty in the long‐wavelength P‐wave velocity structure results in a sizable uncertainty in the predicted elastic properties. We then use walkaway VSP data, which contain information on the long‐wavelength P‐wave velocity (in the reflection moveout) and on S‐wave velocity and density contrasts (in the change of reflectivity with offset). The uncertainty of the look‐ahead prediction is considerably decreased compared with the zero‐offset VSP, and the predicted elastic properties are in good agreement with well‐log measurements.     

标定大陆科学钻探孔区地震反射体

在中国大陆科学钻探孔区 (江苏省东海县南部 )进行了系统的地球物理调查 ,包括二维地震测网和专门的地震剖面 ,大地电磁法和位场方法等 .地震调查表明 ,在超高压变质岩出露区上地壳充满了反射体 ,包括倾斜反射体与上拱的反射弧 .本文介绍大陆科学钻探先行研究中地震调查的成果 .根据大陆科学钻探预先导孔的岩芯和测井资料、井旁VSP和数值模拟结果证实 ,高波速的榴辉岩体、破碎断裂带和大型韧性剪切带都可引起倾斜的地震反射 ,而上拱的弧形反射体则是由近似直立的榴辉岩体和其中的破碎带的综合反映 .由于地壳深部广泛分布着经受变质的岩石 ,上述研究结果对标定地壳中的反射地震信号具有一定意义