System for processing seismic data based upon linear optimization and related methods

A system for processing seismic data for a geologic formation generated by an array of acoustic transducers responsive to an acoustic source, the system comprising:

• a seismic data storage device;
• and
• a processor cooperating with the seismic data storage device to
• generate auto or cross-correlations of seismic P wave data from the array of acoustic transducers based upon a current estimate for velocity of the geologic formation and without measured and estimated seismic S wave data,
• perform a genetic linear optimization based upon a plurality of different combinations of the correlations of seismic P wave data to determine a given subset of correlations having a highest objective function value associated therewith,
• generate weights for the given subset of correlations,
• update the current estimate for velocity of the geologic formation based upon the generated weights,
• store the updated current estimate for velocity of the geologic formation in the seismic data storage device, and
• estimate density, composition, and location of various layers in the geologic formation including an oil payzone based upon the updated current estimate for velocity of the geologic formation so that a well is not drilled in a wrong location for the oil payzone.

A method for processing seismic data for a geologic formation generated by an array of acoustic transducers responsive to an acoustic source, the method comprising:

• using a processor and an associated seismic model data storage device to
• generate auto or cross-correlations of seismic P wave data from the array of acoustic transducers based upon a current estimate for velocity of the geologic formation and without measured and estimated seismic S wave data,
• perform a linear optimization based upon a plurality of different combinations of the correlations at seismic P wave data to determine a given subset of correlations having a highest objective function associated value therewith,
• update the current estimate for velocity of the geologic formation based upon the given subset of correlations, and
• estimate density, composition, and location of various layers in the geologic formation including an oil payzone based upon the updated current estimate for velocity of the geologic formation so that a well is not drilled in a wrong location for the oil payzone.