Understanding Seismic Anisotropy in Exploration and Exploitation


Book Description

All rock masses are seismically anisotropic, but we generally ignore this in our seismic acquisition, processing, and interpretation. The anisotropy nonetheless does affect our data, in ways that limit the effectiveness with which we can use it, as long as we ignore it. This book, produced for use with the fifth SEG/EAGE Distinguished Instructor Short Course, helps us understand why this inconsistency between reality and practice has been so successful in the past and why it will be less successful in the future as we acquire better seismic data (especially including vector seismic data) and correspondingly higher expectations of it. This book helps us understand how we can modify our practice to more fully realize the potential inherent in our data through algorithms which recognize the fact of seismic anisotropy.




Seismic Anisotropy in the Earth


Book Description




Seismic Signatures and Analysis of Reflection Data in Anisotropic Media


Book Description

Following the breakthrough in the last decade in identifying the key parameters for time and depth imaging in anisotropic media and developing practical methodologies for estimating them from seismic data, Seismic Signatures and Analysis of Reflection Data in Anisotropic Media primarily focuses on the far reaching exploration benefits of anisotropic processing. This volume provides the first comprehensive description of reflection seismic signatures and processing methods in anisotropic media. It identifies the key parameters for time and depth imaging in transversely isotropic media and describes practical methodologies for estimating them from seismic data. Also, it contains a thorough discussion of the important issues of uniqueness and stability of seismic velocity analysis in the presence of anisotropy. The book contains a complete description of anisotropic imaging methods, from the theoretical background to algorithms to implementation issues. Numerous applications to synthetic and field data illustrate the improvements achieved by the anisotropic processing and the possibility of using the estimated anisotropic parameters in lithology discrimination. Focuses on the far reaching exploration benefits of anisotropic processing First comprehensive description of reflection seismic signatures and processing methods in anisotropic media




Rock Quality, Seismic Velocity, Attenuation and Anisotropy


Book Description

Seismic measurements take many forms, and appear to have a universal role in the Earth Sciences. They are the means for most easily and economically interpreting what lies beneath the visible surface. There are huge economic rewards and losses to be made when interpreting the shallow crust or subsurface more, or less accurately, as the case may be.




Anisotropy and Microseismics: Theory and Practice


Book Description

Downhole microseismic monitoring of stimulation and production of unconventional reservoirs has resulted in renewed industry interest in seismic anisotropy. This occurred not only because anisotropy of hydrocarbon-bearing shales is among the strongest in rocks but also because downhole microseismics shifts the focus from the standard exploration of P-waves to shear waves. The consequences of the difference in wave type are profound for geophysicists because everyone involved - from theoreticians to developers and users of microseismic data-processing software - must be aware of shear-wave splitting, singularities, and multivalued wavefronts, which have been largely irrelevant for P-waves propagating in relatively simple geologic settings. Anisotropy and Microseismics leads readers on a path of discovery of rarely examined wave phenomena and their possible usage. Most of the chapters begin by formulating a question, followed by explanations of what is exciting about it, where the mystery might lie, and what could be the potential value of answering the question. Importantly, the findings entail useful applications, as showcased by the unmistakably practical flavor of the chapters on microseismic event location, moment tensor inversion, and imaging. As an investigation of microseismic methodologies and techniques is conducted, it often yields unexpected results.




Multi-component VSP Analysis for Applied Seismic Anisotropy


Book Description

The vertical seismic profile, acquired with an array of 3C receivers and either a single source or several arranged in a multi-component configuration, provides an ideal high fidelity calibration tool for seismic projects involved in the application of seismic anisotropy. This book catalogues the majority of specialized tools necessary to work with P-P, P-S and S-S data from such VSP surveys at the acquisition design, processing and interpretation stages. In particular, it discusses 3C, 4C, 6C and 9C VSP, marine and land surveys with near and multiple offsets (walkways), azimuths (walkarounds) or a combination of both. These are considered for TIH or TIV flavours of seismic anisotropy arising from cracks, fractures, sedimentary layering, and shales. The anisotropic adaptation of familiar seismic methods for velocity analysis and inversion, reflected amplitude interpretation, are given together with more multi-component specific algorithms based upon the principles dictated by the vector convolutional model. Thus, multi-component methods are described that provide tests and compensation for source or receiver vector fidelity, tool rotation correction, layer stripping, near-surface correction, wavefield separation, and the Alford rotation with its variants. The work will be of interest to geophysicists involved in research or the application of seismic anisotropy using multi-component seismic.




Seismic Reflection Processing


Book Description

The author coherently presents the physical concepts, mathematical details and methodology for optimizing results of reservoir modeling, under conditions of isotropy and anisotropy. The most common form of anisotropy – the transverse isotropy, is dealt with in detail. Besides, practical aspects in reservoir engineering – such as interval isotropic or anisotropic properties of layered media; identifying lithology, pore-fluid types and saturation; and determining crack/fracture-orientations and density - form the core of discussions. This book incorporates significant new developments in isotropic and anisotropic reflection processing, while organizing them to improve the interpretation of seismic reflection data and optimizing the modeling of hydrocarbon reservoirs. The text contains exercises and problems, and solutions are provided for the exercises. This book is written primarily for graduate/postgraduate students and research workers in geophysics.




Mantle Convection and Surface Expressions


Book Description

A multidisciplinary perspective on the dynamic processes occurring in Earth's mantle The convective motion of material in Earth's mantle, powered by heat from the deep interior of our planet, drives plate tectonics at the surface, generating earthquakes and volcanic activity. It shapes our familiar surface landscapes, and also stabilizes the oceans and atmosphere on geologic timescales. Mantle Convection and Surface Expressions brings together perspectives from observational geophysics, numerical modelling, geochemistry, and mineral physics to build a holistic picture of the deep Earth. It explores the dynamic processes occurring in the mantle as well as the associated heat and material cycles. Volume highlights include: Perspectives from different scientific disciplines with an emphasis on exploring synergies Current state of the mantle, its physical properties, compositional structure, and dynamic evolution Transport of heat and material through the mantle as constrained by geophysical observations, geochemical data and geodynamic model predictions Surface expressions of mantle dynamics and its control on planetary evolution and habitability The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals.




Applied Seismic Anisotropy


Book Description




Geodynamics of Lithosphere & Earth’s Mantle


Book Description

Plate tectonics has significantly broadened our view of the dynamics of continental evolution, involving both the processes currently active at the surface and those extending deep into the interior of the Earth. Seismic anisotropy provides some of the most diagnostic evidence for mapping past and present deformation of the entire crustmantle system. This volume contains papers presented originally at an international workshop at the Chateau of Trest in the Czech Republic in 1996. This workshop brought together geophysicists and geologists who work in the field of observational and theoretical seismology, mineral and rock physics, gravity studies and geodynamic modelling. Topics include large-scale anisotropy of the Earth's mantle, mantle heterogeneity vs. anisotropy 3-D velocity and density structures and inferences on mantle dynamics, mineral and rock physics studies, and mathematical aspects of complex wave propagation.