Sub‐sample time shift and horizontal displacement measurements using phase‐correlation method in time‐lapse seismic

Hydrocarbon production and fluid injection affect the level of subsurface stress and physical properties of the subsurface, and can cause reservoir‐related issues, such as compaction and subsidence. Monitoring of oil and gas reservoirs is therefore crucial. Time‐lapse seismic is used to monitor reservoirs and provide evidence of saturation and pressure changes within the reservoir. However, relative to background velocities and reflector depths, the time‐lapse changes in velocity and geomechanical properties are typically small between consecutive surveys. These changes can be measured by using apparent displacement between migrated images obtained from recorded data of multiple time‐lapse surveys. Apparent displacement measurements by using the classical cross‐correlation method are poorly resolved. Here, we propose the use of a phase‐correlation method, which has been developed in satellite imaging for sub‐pixel registration of the images, to overcome the limitations of cross‐correlation. Phase correlation provides both vertical and horizontal displacements with a much better resolution. After testing the method on synthetic data, we apply it to a real dataset from the Norne oil field and show that the phase‐correlation method can indeed provide better resolution.     

Statistical approach to triple systems in three-dimensional motion

This paper considers disruption of triple close approaches with low initial velocities and equal masses in the framework of statistical escape theory in a three-dimensional space. The statistical escape theory is based on the assumption that the phase trajectory of a triple system is quasi-ergodic. This system is described by allowing for both energy and angular momentum conservation in the phase space. In this paper, “possibility of escape” is derived with the formation of a binary on the basis of relative distances of the participating bodies. The complete statistical solutions (i.e. the semi-major axis \(a\), the distributions of eccentricity \(e\) of the binary, binary energy \({E}_{{b}}\), escape energy \({E}_{{s}}\) of escaper, and its escape velocity \({v}_{{s}}\)) of the system are derived from the allowable phase space volumes and are in good agreement with the numerical results in the range of perturbing velocities \({v}_{{i}}\)(\(10^{ - 1} \le {v}_{{i}} \le 10^{ - 10}\)) and directions of \({v}_{{i}}(0 \le \alpha _{{i}},\beta _{{i}},\gamma _{{i}} \le \pi )\), \({i} = 1,2,3\). In this paper, the double limit process has been applied to approximate the escape probability. Through this process, it is observed that the perturbing velocity \({v}_{{i}} \to 0^{ +} \), as the product of the semi-major axis \(a\) of the final binary and the square of the escape velocity \({v}_{{s}}\) approach 2/3, i.e. \({a} {v}_{{s}}^{2} \to 2 / 3\), whatever direction of \(\mathbf{v}_{{i}}\) may be.     

Late-Quaternary miliolite (biogenic carbonate) deposits and their implications for sea-level fluctuations and climatic variability

The western coast of India (Kachchh) has ubiquitous preservations of Quaternary carbonate deposits popularly known as “miliolites”. Field-based detail documentation of the nature and distribution of miliolites supported by sedimentology and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) microtextural studies indicates that the miliolites were primarily deposited by wind as aeolinites and are termed “primary miliolites (PM)”. These were subsequently fluvially eroded and deposited and such deposits are termed “secondary miliolites (SM)”. The PM are dated between 28 ka to 16 ka largely clustering around the Last Glacial Maxima (LGM). In comparison, the fluvially reworked SM occurs as valley-fill deposits and were deposited episodically during 23 ka to 10 ka before present. Climatically, the deposition of PMs suggests enhanced aridity whereas SMs represent episodic strengthening of the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM). The bedding attitudes of the PMs indicate that they were deposited predominantly by the northeasterly winds whereas the presence of the deflation lag deposits suggests downwind migration of sands during the equilibrium condition (reduced sediment supply). The aeolian parameters (based on the grain size and wind velocities) for PMs indicate high shear velocity (~23 to 48 cm⁻¹) and high transport rate (< 0.1 to 0.2 g/cm s). The short average flying distance implies that the biogenic sands were transported in multiple pulses (from coast to inland) at rates varying from ~200 m/h to ~1 km/h. Comparing our data with related occurrences along the biologically productive coasts in the mid-latitudinal belt indicates that the regional/global aridity during the lowered sea level was responsible for inland occurrences of aeolinites, particularly during the LGM. The strengthened northeast monsoon winds during the LGM was conducive to upwelling and production of biogenic carbonates along the coasts. The subsequent reworking of the aeolinites were mainly the results of local variability in precipitation.     

The Pedagogical Benefits of Participatory GIS for Geographic Education

In this article, participatory GIS (PGIS) is explored and established as a powerful platform for geographic education. PGIS pedagogy can help educators meet diverse learning objectives pertaining to: (1) local knowledge and place-based thinking; (2) community engagement; (3) field mapping with geospatial technologies; (4) mixed-methods research; and (5) fostering of critical reflexivity in students. The discussion is supported with insights from multiple student-facilitated PGIS projects organized in rural Tanzania. There also is a thorough discussion of the challenges and caveats associated with involving students in PGIS projects, and a call for new research for assessing and advancing PGIS pedagogy.