Exxon Production Research Company

Samuel N Blakeslee

Sen-Tsuen Chen

A method for simulating crosswell seismic data between first and second spaced apart wells is disclosed. According to the invention, a surface seismic source is used to generate a seismic signal at a location on the surface of the earth substantially in line with, but not between, the wells and closer to the first well than to the second well. A plurality of downhole seismic receivers are located in the first well and at least one downhole seismic receiver is located in the second well. The actual arrival time of the seismic signal at each of the first well and second well seismic receivers is recorded. For each second well seismic receiver, the actual arrival time is then compared to an estimate of the seismic signal travel time calculated on the basis of an assumed interwell seismic velocity field. If the estimate of the seismic signal travel time is not equal to the actual arrival time for each second well seismic receiver, the assumed interwell seismic velocity field is modified and the calculation is repeated. In this manner, the actual interwell seismic velocity field can be determined.

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Sugar Land, TX, United States of America

Samuel N Blakeslee