Estimating velocities with uncertainty
AssigneeWesternGeco L.L.C.
InventorsRan Bachrach, Konstantin Osypov, Colin Michael Sayers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for estimating velocity in a subsurface region. Seismic data for a subsurface region may be received. One or more attributes for the seismic data may be calculated. A posterior distribution may be generated. The posterior distribution may represent one or more probabilities of one or more velocities for the attributes. A velocity with uncertainty may be determined for the subsurface region based on the posterior distribution. A pore pressure with uncertainty may be determined based on the velocity with uncertainty.
Claims20
A method for estimating velocity in a subsurface region, comprising:
- receiving seismic data for the subsurface region;
- calculating one or more attributes for the seismic data;
- generating a posterior distribution representing one or more probabilities of one or more velocities for the attributes;
- determining a velocity with uncertainty for the subsurface region based on the posterior distribution;
- and
- determining a pore pressure with uncertainty based on the velocity with uncertainty.
A computer-readable medium comprising program instructions executable by a processor to:
- receive seismic data for a subsurface region;
- calculate a moveout for the seismic data;
- generate a posterior distribution representing one or more probabilities of one or more velocities for the moveout;
- determine a velocity with uncertainty for the subsurface region based on the posterior distribution;
- determine a pore pressure with uncertainty based on the velocity with uncertainty;
- and
- determine a minimum stress with uncertainty based on the velocity with uncertainty.
A computer system, comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- a memory comprising program instructions executable by the processor to:
- receive seismic data for a subsurface region;
- perform a waveform inversion for the seismic data;
- generate a posterior distribution representing one or more probabilities of one or more velocities for the waveform inversion;
- determine a velocity with uncertainty for the subsurface region based on the posterior distribution;
- determine a pore pressure with uncertainty based on the velocity with uncertainty;
- determine a minimum stress with uncertainty based on the velocity with uncertainty;
- and
- design a well based on the pore pressure with uncertainty and the minimum stress with uncertainty.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.