Exxon Production Research Company

L Don Pham

William A Schneider

James R Myron

Computer-implemented methods of processing seismic data are subjected to quantitative evaluation by a computerized testing procedure. The effect of the data processing software under evaluation on attributes of the seismic data is measured and statistically evaluated. The effect of various user-selectable processing parameters of the software under evaluation is also measured and statistically evaluated. To evaluate the software effect on attributes, an attribute of known content represented by seismic data is selected. The seismic data represented by that attribute is processed by the processing software under evaluation. A test measure of the attribute is recomputed as indicated by the results of the processing. A quantitative statistical analysis of the similarities of the two attributes is then performed. For quality control of parameter estimates, a parameter-sweep test is performed on original data containing known events. An attribute is computed for both the original data and the parameter-sweep test results. Again, quantitative statistical measures of the similarities between the attributes are formed for evaluation purposes.

Analysis of statistical attributes for parameter estimation

Computer-implemented methods of processing seismic data for the purpose of suppression of multiple reflections, or multiples, are subjected to quantitative evaluation. The evaluation is done by a computerized testing procedure. A known earth model is formed. From this model, data composed of primary reflections only, and data containing multiple reflections only are generated. These are retained separately, but a third data set representing their sum is also formed to serve as an original data set for processing. The original data set or sum is then processed by the processing method being evaluated. The processed results are then decomposed by a time-varying, least squares technique into primaries-only and multiples-only components. The decomposed primaries-only and multiples-only components so formed are then compared against the values of the original sets from the known earth model. The comparisons made are visual as well as numerical, quantitative comparisons, which may include simple difference plots, full- or partial-trace energy comparisons, or plots of least-squares decomposition coefficients. Users thus are provided with indications of how the processing techniques may be expected to perform on real data.

Method of analyzing capabilities of multiple-suppression computer

Computer-implemented methods of processing and imaging seismic data by migration and DMO (dip moveout) are subjected to quantitative evaluation. The evaluation is done by a computerized testing procedure. An impulse data set is formed containing a single 'live' trace and zero amplitudes for other traces. A selected velocity function is also generated. The impulse data set is then processed by the processing method being evaluated. Estimates of the vertical traveltime, amplitude and phase along each of the impulse-response events are then generated. The estimates so formed are compared against exact values obtained from a model using an integral equation which accurately describes migration or DMO. Users thus are provided with indications of how the processing techniques may be expected to perform on real data.

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L Don Pham