US3899768A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method of seismic surveying by extracting and displaying seismic properties
Assignee: G & H MANAGEMENT Co
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Filing: 1973-07-11
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1993-07-11
Abstract
Abstract New insight is gained into geological interpretation of seismograph record sections by use of a new technique for extracting and displaying the lateral variations of seismic properties, such as the peak frequency and energy weighted average frequency of seismic waves, occurring at or between time varying seismic boundaries, associated with the geologic contacts of rock strata, as pre-outlined upon such a record section. In one form, lateral variations in the seismic property, associated with specified intervals or zones of seismic data, are displayed as a pair of envelopes plotted about a reference axis which is the mean time between the upper and lower boundaries of the specified interval or zone of data from which the property was extracted. An upper envelope displays the local magnitude of the seismic property, associated with the zone; and a lower envelope displays the local ratio of this magnitude to the magnitude of the same property observed at an underlying interval or zone of data. Thus, the upper envelope shows the lateral variance of the seismic property whereas the lower envelope provides a means of estimating whether anomalies in the upper envelope are being caused by changes in the common zone overlying both intervals. Separate transparent overlay sheets for each extracted property can be used for the plotting of the reference axes and their envelopes. These overlays can be superimposed upon each other or upon the corresponding seismic record section to the same scale. The visual correlation of anomalous variations in local seismic properties relative to the structural interpretation based upon the seismic record section yields new dimensions in the possibilities of interpreting geologic conditions favorable for the accumulation of petroleum.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy Gibson Quay
- 👤 Clifford Harvey Ray
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 21:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/28; G01V1/34
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of seismic surveying comprising the steps of: obtaining a plurality of seismic signals each from different points along a traverse in a seismic survey; generating a multi-channel seismic record of such seismic signals grouped In side-by-side format to represent a section of the geological structure of the earth beneath such traverse; selecting multiple sets of laterally extending guidelines associated at least in part with the geologic structure represented on such seismic record; extracting a seismic property from the data contained within zones associated with each of such guidelines; establishing a reference axis that conforms with such guidelines; and plotting a value proportional to the magnitude of such seismic property about such reference axis.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of seismic surveying comprising the steps of: obtaining a plurality of seismic signals each from different points along a traverse in a seismic survey; generating a multi-channel seismic record of such seismic signals grouped In side-by-side format to represent a section of the geological structure of the earth beneath such traverse; selecting multiple sets of laterally extending guidelines associated at least in part with the geologic structure represented on such seismic record; extracting a seismic property from the data contained within zones associated with each of such guidelines; establishing a reference axis that conforms with such guidelines; and plotting a value proportional to the magnitude of such seismic property about such reference axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said seismic property is extracted from the zone located between a pair of adjacent guidelines and such reference axis is defined by the mean points between such pair of adjacent guidelines.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein such seismic property is selected from within a zone centered upon one of such guidelines and is plotted about a reference axis lying upon such guideline.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the plotting step is performed on a facsimile of such seismic record and to the same scale whereby such seismic property can be visually correlated with the characteristics of such seismic record section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein such guidelines are continuous.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein such guidelines are discontinuous.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the plotting step is performed on a transparent record sheet and is overlaid in superposition on a facsimile of such seismic record to the same scale, whereby such seismic property can be visually correlated with the characteristics of such seismic record.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the plotted value is the deviation of the seismic property from the mean value of such seismic property across such seismic record.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the magnitude of such seismic property extracted from a given zone is plotted on one side of the reference axis associated with that zone and including the additional step of: plotting on the other side of such reference axis a value proportional to the relationship between the seismic property extracted from such zone and the seismic property extracted from the adjacent zone.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein the magnitude of the seismic property extracted from a given zone is plotted on the upper side of the reference axis associated with such zone and such value proportional to the relationship is plotted on the lower side of such reference axis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein such relationship is the absolute value of the difference in magnitude between such seismic properties.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 9 wherein such relationship is the ratio of the magnitudes of such seismic properties.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein such seismic property is the band limited energy in the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein such seismic property is the normalized effective amplitude of the seismic waves in such zones.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein such seismic property is the normalized energy of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein such seismic property is the peak frequency in the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein such seismic property is the band limited normalized energy in the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein such seismic property is the energy weighted average frequency in the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein such seismic property is the normalized energy of a discrete frequency component in the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A methOd according to claim 1 wherein such seismic property is the normalized energy in the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves in such zones.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein such seismic property is the ratio of energy in one band limited portion of the amplitude spectrum to the energy in another band limited portion of the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves in such zones.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the seismic property is the interval velocity of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the seismic property is the root-mean-square velocity of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the seismic property is the average velocity of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of seismic surveying comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a multi-channel seismic record section representative of a section of the geologic structure of the earth; b. selecting multiple sets of guidelines laterally extending across such record section; c. extracting a seismic property from the data contained in zones associated with a first and second of such guidelines; d. plotting a value proportional to the magnitude of the seismic property extracted from the zone associated with the first guideline on a record sheet on one side of a reference axis that conforms with such guidelines; e. plotting a value proportional to the relationship between the values of the seismic property extracted from the zones associated respectively with such first and such second guidelines on such record surface on the opposite side of such reference axis, whereby such seismic combined display of variations in the seismic property may be used for interpreting the subsurface character of the earth.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
158 words
A method of seismic surveying comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a multi-channel seismic record section representative of a section of the geologic structure of the earth; b. selecting multiple sets of guidelines laterally extending across such record section; c. extracting a seismic property from the data contained in zones associated with a first and second of such guidelines; d. plotting a value proportional to the magnitude of the seismic property extracted from the zone associated with the first guideline on a record sheet on one side of a reference axis that conforms with such guidelines; e. plotting a value proportional to the relationship between the values of the seismic property extracted from the zones associated respectively with such first and such second guidelines on such record surface on the opposite side of such reference axis, whereby such seismic combined display of variations in the seismic property may be used for interpreting the subsurface character of the earth.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method according to claim 25 in which the zone associated with such first guideline is the interval between such first and second guidelines and the zone associated with such second guideline is the interval between such second guideline and a later such guideline and such reference axis is defined by the mean points between such first and second guidelines.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein such seismic property is selected from within a zone centered upon each of such first and second guidelines and such reference axis coincides with the first of such guidelines.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 25 in which the sets of guidelines are associated with geologic structure as interpreted upon such seismic record section.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 25 in which such relationship between the values of the seismic property associated with such first and such second guidelines represents the ratio of such first and second values.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 25 in which such relationship between the values of the seismic property associated with such first and such second guidelines represents the absolute value of the difference of such values.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein such seismic property is the band limited energy in the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein such seismic property is the normalized effective amplitude of the seismic waves in such zones.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein such seismic property is the normalized energy of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein such seismic property is the peak frequency in the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein such seismic property is the band limited normalized energy in the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein such seismic property is the energy weighted average frequency in the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to clAim 25 wherein such seismic property is the normalized energy of a discrete frequency component in the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein such seismic property is the normalized energy in the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves in such zones.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein such seismic property is the ratio of energy in one band limited portion of the amplitude spectrum of the energy in another band limited portion of the amplitude spectrum of the seismic waves in such zones.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein the seismic property is the interval velocity of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein the seismic property is the root-mean-square velocity of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 25 wherein the seismic property is the average velocity of the seismic waves occurring in such zones.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of seismic surveying comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a multi-channel seismic record section representative of a section of the geologic structure of the earth; b. establishing multiple sets of laterally extending guidelines associated at least in part with the geologic structure represented on such record section; c. extracting a seismic property from within zones associated with such guidelines; d. establishing multiple reference axes that conform with such guidelines; e. determining the arithmetic mean value of the seismic property extracted from each zone; and f. plotting the deviations of the seismic property from such mean value about the associated reference axis.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of seismic surveying comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a multi-channel seismic record section representative of a section of the geologic structure of the earth; b. establishing multiple sets of laterally extending guidelines associated at least in part with the geologic structure represented on such record section; c. extracting a seismic property from within zones associated with such guidelines; d. establishing multiple reference axes that conform with such guidelines; e. determining the arithmetic mean value of the seismic property extracted from each zone; and f. plotting the deviations of the seismic property from such mean value about the associated reference axis.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 43 wherein said seismic property is extracted from within the zone between a pair of such adjacent guidelines and such reference axis is defined by the mean points between such adjacent guidelines.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 43 wherein such seismic property is extracted from within a zone centered upon one of such guideline and is plotted about a reference axis lying upon such guideline.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 43 wherein the plotting steps are performed on a facsimile of such seismic record section and to the same scale whereby such seismic property can be visually correlated with the characteristics of such seismic record section.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 43 wherein the record surface is transparent and is overlaid in superposition on a facsimile of such seismic record section to the same scale, whereby such seismic property can be visually correlated with the characteristics of such record.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |