Separation of S‐wave and P‐wave reflections offshore western Florida

Geophysics ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 493-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Tatham ◽  
Donald V. Goolsbee
Keyword(s):  
Mode Conversion ◽  
Hard Water ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Angle Of Incidence ◽  
Wave Reflections ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Reflection Time ◽  
Processing Techniques ◽  
Independent Confirmation

Hard water‐bottom marine environments, such as offshore western Florida, have presented particular problems in the acquisition and processing of seismic reflection data. One problem has been the limited angle of incidence (less than critical) available to P‐wave penetration into the subsurface. Mode conversion from P‐wave to S‐waves (SV), however, is quite efficient over a broad range of angles of incidence. After the success of a previously reported physical model experiment, an experimental line was acquired offshore western Florida. The 19 mile line, located approximately 100 miles west of Key West, Florida, was shot and processed. Three key factors have contributed to the successful recording of mode‐converted S‐wave reflections: (1) recognition of the effect of the group length on attenuation of energy arriving at large angles of incidence; (2) tau‐p processing techniques that allow separation of energy by angle of incidence; and (3) velocity filtering over a range of hyperbolic normal‐moveout (NMO) velocities as part of the forward tau‐p transform. These three factors, two of them data processing techniques, have allowed separation of P‐ and S‐wave energy in the marine environment. Overall, S‐wave reflections have been unambiguously identified to a reflection time of 2 sec and may be interpreted to a reflection time of 2 sec. Integrating an S‐wave section with P‐wave interpretations of offshore Florida data allows an independent confirmation of structural events. This independent confirmation may be more significant than improvements in the P‐wave data quality alone. Lateraly stable [Formula: see text] values are computed in intervals 1500 to 5000 ft thick and to S‐wave reflection times as great as 3 sec. The opportunity of [Formula: see text], interpretations for lithologic identification, gas thickness estimates, and general stratigraphic trap exploration makes mode‐converted shear waves a new tool in this area.

Detection of near-surface hydrocarbon seeps using P- and S-wave reflections

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. SH21-SH37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathieu J. Duchesne ◽  
André J.-M. Pugin ◽  
Gabriel Fabien-Ouellet ◽  
Mathieu Sauvageau
Keyword(s):  
P Wave ◽  
Unconsolidated Sediments ◽  
Fluid Migration ◽  
Wave Reflections ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Abrupt Decrease ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Wave Data ◽  
Hydrocarbon Seeps

The combined use of P- and S-wave seismic reflection data is appealing for providing insights into active petroleum systems because P-waves are sensitive to fluids and S-waves are not. The method presented herein relies on the simultaneous acquisition of P- and S-wave data using a vibratory source operated in the inline horizontal mode. The combined analysis of P- and S-wave reflections is tested on two potential hydrocarbon seeps located in a prospective area of the St. Lawrence Lowlands in Eastern Canada. For both sites, P-wave data indicate local changes in the reflection amplitude and slow velocities, whereas S-wave data present an anomalous amplitude at one site. Differences between P- and S-wave reflection morphology and amplitude and the abrupt decrease in P-velocity are indirect lines of evidence for hydrocarbon migration toward the surface through unconsolidated sediments. Surface-gas analysis made on samples taken at one potential seeping site reveals the occurrence of thermogenic gas that presumably vents from the underlying fractured Utica Shale forming the top of the bedrock. The 3C shear data suggest that fluid migration locally disturbs the elastic properties of the matrix. The comparative analysis of P- and S-wave data along with 3C recordings makes this method not only attractive for the remote detection of shallow hydrocarbons but also for the exploration of how fluid migration impacts unconsolidated geologic media.

P-wave and S-wave azimuthal anisotropy at a naturally fractured gas reservoir, Bluebell‐Altamont Field, Utah

Geophysics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 1312-1328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heloise B. Lynn ◽  
Wallace E. Beckham ◽  
K. Michele Simon ◽  
C. Richard Bates ◽  
M. Layman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Azimuthal Anisotropy ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Fracture Density ◽  
Wave Reflections ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Gas Reservoir ◽  
Green River ◽  
Wave Data ◽  
Reflection Data ◽  
Naturally Fractured

Reflection P- and S-wave data were used in an investigation to determine the relative merits and strengths of these two data sets to characterize a naturally fractured gas reservoir in the Tertiary Upper Green River formation. The objective is to evaluate the viability of P-wave seismic to detect the presence of gas‐filled fractures, estimate fracture density and orientation, and compare the results with estimates obtained from the S-wave data. The P-wave response to vertical fractures must be evaluated at different source‐receiver azimuths (travelpaths) relative to fracture strike. Two perpendicular lines of multicomponent reflection data were acquired approximately parallel and normal to the dominant strike of Upper Green River fractures as obtained from outcrop, core analysis, and borehole image logs. The P-wave amplitude response is extracted from prestack amplitude variation with offset (AVO) analysis, which is compared to isotropic‐model AVO responses of gas sand versus brine sand in the Upper Green River. A nine‐component vertical seismic profile (VSP) was also obtained for calibration of S-wave reflections with P-wave reflections, and support of reflection S-wave results. The direction of the fast (S1) shear‐wave component from the reflection data and the VSP coincides with the northwest orientation of Upper Green River fractures, and the direction of maximum horizontal in‐situ stress as determined from borehole ellipticity logs. Significant differences were observed in the P-wave AVO gradient measured parallel and perpendicular to the orientation of Upper Green River fractures. Positive AVO gradients were associated with gas‐producing fractured intervals for propagation normal to fractures. AVO gradients measured normal to fractures at known waterwet zones were near zero or negative. A proportional relationship was observed between the azimuthal variation of the P-wave AVO gradient as measured at the tops of fractured intervals, and the fractional difference between the vertical traveltimes of split S-waves (the “S-wave anisotropy”) of the intervals.

Guidelines for building a detailed elastic depth model

Geophysics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-45
Author(s):  
Jarrod C. Dunne ◽  
Greg Beresford ◽  
Brian L. N Kennett
Keyword(s):  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Mode Conversion ◽  
Poisson Ratio ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
P Wave Velocity ◽  
Inelastic Attenuation

We developed guidelines for building a detailed elastic depth model by using an elastic synthetic seismogram that matched both prestack and stacked marine seismic data from the Gippsland Basin (Australia). Recomputing this synthetic for systematic variations upon the depth model provided insight into how each part of the model affected the synthetic. This led to the identification of parameters in the depth model that have only a minor influence upon the synthetic and suggested methods for estimating the parameters that are important. The depth coverage of the logging run is of prime importance because highly reflective layering in the overburden can generate noise events that interfere with deeper events. A depth sampling interval of 1 m for the P-wave velocity model is a useful lower limit for modeling the transmission response and thus maintaining accuracy in the tie over a large time interval. The sea‐floor model has a strong influence on mode conversion and surface multiples and can be built using a checkshot survey or by testing different trend curves. When an S-wave velocity log is unavailable, it can be replaced using the P-wave velocity model and estimates of the Poisson ratio for each significant geological formation. Missing densities can be replaced using Gardner’s equation, although separate substitutions are required for layers known to have exceptionally high or low densities. Linear events in the elastic synthetic are sensitive to the choice of inelastic attenuation values in the water layer and sea‐floor sediments, while a simple inelastic attenuation model for the consolidated sediments is often adequate. The usefulness of a 1-D depth model is limited by misties resulting from complex 3-D structures and the validity of the measurements obtained in the logging run. The importance of such mis‐ties can be judged, and allowed for in an interpretation, by recomputing the elastic synthetic after perturbing the depth model to simulate the key uncertainties. Taking the next step beyond using simplistic modeling techniques requires extra effort to achieve a satisfactory tie to each part of a prestack seismic record. This is rewarded by the greater confidence that can then be held in the stacked synthetic tie and applications such as noise identification, data processing benchmarking, AVO analysis, and inversion.

Mode Conversion Technique Employed in Shear Wave Velocity Studies of Rock Samples Under Axial and Uniform Compression

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (02) ◽  
pp. 136-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.R. Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Shear Wave ◽  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Shear Wave Velocity ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Pressure Range ◽  
Mode Conversion ◽  
P Wave ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Rock Samples ◽  
Mode Converters

Abstract A shear wave velocity laboratory apparatus and techniques for testing rock samples under simulated subsurface conditions have been developed. In the apparatus, two electromechanical transducers operating in the frequency range 0.5 to 5.0 megahertz (MHz: megacycles per second) are mounted in contact with each end of the sample. Liquid-solid interfaces of Drakeol-aluminum are used as mode converters. In the generator transducer, there is total mode conversion from P-wave energy to plain S-wave energy, S-wave energy is converted back to P-wave energy in the motor transducer. Similar transducers without mode converters are used to measure P-wave velocities. The apparatus is designed for testing rock samples under axial or uniform loading in the pressure range 0 to 12,000 psi. The transducers have certain advantages over those used by King,1 and the measurement techniques are influenced less by subjective elements than other methods previously reported. An electronic counter-timer having a resolution of 10 nanoseconds measures the transit time of ultrasonic pulses through the sample; elastic wave velocities of most homogeneous materials can be measured with errors of less than 1 percent. S- and P-wave velocity measurements on Bandera sandstone and Solenhofen limestone are reported for the axial pressure range 0 to 6,000 psi and for the uniform pressure range 0 to 10,000 psi. The influence of liquid pore saturants on P- and S-wave velocity is investigated and found to be in broad agreement with Biot's theory. In specific areas, the measurements do not conform to theory. Velocities of samples measured under axial and uniform loading are compared and, in general, velocities measured under uniform stress are higher than those measured under axial stress. Liquid pore fluids cause increases in Poisson's ratio and the bulk modulus but reduce the rigidity modulus, Young's modulus and the bulk compressibility. INTRODUCTION Ultrasonic pulse methods for measuring the shear wave velocity of rock samples in the laboratory have been gradually improved during the last few years. Early experimental pulse techniques reported by Hughes et al.2, and by Gregory3 were beset by uncertainties in determining the first arrival of the shear wave (S-wave) energy. Much of this ambiguity was caused by the multiple modes propagated by piezoelectric crystals and by boundary conversions in the rock specimens. Shear wave velocity data obtained from the critical angle method, described by Schneider and Burton4 and used later by King and Fatt5 and by Gregory,3,6 are of limited accuracy, and interpreting results is too complicated for routine laboratory work. The mode conversion method described by Jamieson and Hoskins7 was recently used by King1 for measuring the S-wave velocities of dry and liquid-saturated rock samples. Glass-air interfaces acted as mode converters in the apparatus, and much of the compressional (P-wave) energy apparently was eliminated from the desired pure shear mode. A more detailed discussion of the current status of laboratory pulse methods applied to geological specimens is given in a review by Simmons.8

Reflection and refraction of elastic waves at a corrugated interface

1966 ◽  
Vol 56 (1) ◽  
pp. 201-221
Author(s):  
Shuzo Asano
Keyword(s):  
Wave Amplitude ◽  
Normal Incidence ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Irregular Waves ◽  
Angle Of Incidence ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Reflected Waves ◽  
S Waves ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Almost All

abstract The effect of a corrugated interface on wave propagation is considered by using the method that was first applied to acoustical gratings by Rayleigh. The problem is what happens when a plane P wave is incident on a corrugated interface that separates two semi-infinite media. As is well known, there are irregular (scattered) waves as well as regular waves. By assuming both the amplitude and the slope of a corrugated interface to be small, quantities of the order of the square of corrugation amplitude are taken into account. In the case of normal incidence for three models considered, the effect of corrugation on reflection is larger than the effect of corrugation on refraction; the amplitude of the regularly reflected waves decreases, and that of the regularly refracted waves and of the irregular waves increases, as the corrugation amplitude becomes larger. Generally, the larger the velocity contrast, the larger the variation of wave amplitude with the wavelength and the amplitude of corrugation. The S wave component generally becomes larger as the wavelength of corrugation becomes smaller. Boundary waves exist, depending upon the ratio of wavelength of corrugation to that of the incident wave. For a specified interface, it is possible that there is a significant difference in wave amplitude as a function of the elastic constants. In the case of oblique incidence, computation was carried out for angles of incidence smaller than 15° for one model. For these small angles of incidence, almost all results for the case of normal incidence still hold. Furthermore, it can be concluded that the effect of the angle of incidence on reflected S waves is larger than for the other waves and that large differences in the amplitudes of waves at different angles of incidence may be expected for the irregular waves.

Inversion of P and SV waves from multicomponent offset vertical seismic profiles

Geophysics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cengiz Esmersoy
Keyword(s):  
Time Window ◽  
Simple Expression ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Separate Analysis ◽  
Angle Of Incidence ◽  
Apparent Velocity ◽  
Event Analysis ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Depth Level

Downgoing waves in multicomponent VSP experiments are used to obtain seismic P- and S-wave velocities as a function of depth and angle of incidence. If P and SV waveforms do not overlap in time at the depth of interest, local velocities of the medium are obtained by separate analysis of these events. The apparent velocity of the event (P or SV) is computed from the moveout across several neighboring depth locations. The angle of incidence of the same event is computed from the particle‐motion hodogram within an appropriately chosen time window. Then, the local medium velocity (P wave or S wave depending on the chosen event) is given by the apparent velocity multiplied by the cosine of the angle of incidence. Layer interfaces with reasonably sharp velocity contrasts are efficient P-wave to SV-wave converters, even at moderate angles of incidence. In offset VSP experiments, converted SV waves are generated with varying strengths at practically all depths. Consequently, the converted SV waveforms partially overlap with the direct P waveforms, making the separate event analysis difficult and inaccurate. These overlapping waveforms can be handled properly by modeling the data in a given time window as a superposition of several events. In particular, the downgoing data at each depth level are modeled as a superposition of a P wave and an SV wave, with local P and S velocities, angles of incidence, and waveforms as model parameters. These parameters are then estimated by minimizing the squared error between the observed data and the model‐generated data. The unknown waveforms are eliminated from the minimization problem, leaving only four nonlinear parameters (velocities and angles) for estimation. Once these four parameters are found, least‐squares estimates of waveforms are obtained by evaluating a simple expression.

The effects of near-source heterogeneity on shear-wave evolution

Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. T233-T241 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher S. Sherman ◽  
James Rector ◽  
Steven Glaser
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
Mode Conversion ◽  
Near Field ◽  
Seismic Source ◽  
Elastic Half Space ◽  
P Wave ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Rytov Approximation ◽  
Model Features

The Born and Rytov approximation, radiative transfer theory, and other related techniques are commonly used to model features of wave propagation through heterogeneous geologic media such as scattering, attenuation, and pulse-broadening. However, due to the underlying assumptions about the scattering direction and the reference Green’s function, these methods overlook important features of the wavefield such as mode conversion and near-field term coupling. These effects are particularly important within the predicted S-wave nodes of a seismic source, so we analyzed the problem of wave propagation beneath a vertical-point force on the surface of a heterogeneous, elastic half space. To do this, we generated a suite of 3D synthetic heterogeneous geologic models using fractal statistics and simulated the wave propagation using the finite-difference method. We derived an estimate for the effective source radiation patterns, and we used these to compare the results of the models. Our numerical results showed that, due to a combination of mode conversion and near-source coupling effects, S-wave energy on the order of 10% of the P-wave energy is generated within the shear-radiation node. In some cases, this S-wave energy may occur as a coherent pulse and may be used to enhance seismic imaging.

Separation of signal and coherent noise by migration filtering

Geophysics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 574-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamas Nemeth ◽  
Hongchuan Sun ◽  
Gerard T. Schuster
Keyword(s):  
Forward Modeling ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Wave Reflections ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Coherent Noise ◽  
Signal Model ◽  
Model Estimate ◽  
Wavefield Separation ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Magnitude Increase

A key issue in wavefield separation is to find a domain where the signal and coherent noise are well separated from one another. A new wavefield separation algorithm, called migration filtering, separates data arrivals according to their path of propagation and their actual moveout characteristics. This is accomplished by using forward modeling operators to compute the signal and the coherent noise arrivals. A linearized least‐squares inversion scheme yields model estimates for both components; the predicted signal component is constructed by forward modeling the signal model estimate. Synthetic and field data examples demonstrate that migration filtering improves separation of P-wave reflections and surface waves, P-wave reflections and tube waves, P-wave diffractions, and S-wave diffractions. The main benefits of the migration filtering method compared to conventional filtering methods are better wavefield separation capability, the capability of mixing any two conventional transforms for wavefield separation under a general inversion framework, and the capability of mitigating the signal and coherent noise crosstalk by using regularization. The limitations of the method may include more than an order of magnitude increase in computation costs compared to conventional transforms and the difficulty of selecting the proper modeling operators for some wave modes.

Seismic shear‐wave observations in a physical model experiment

Geophysics ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 688-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Tatham ◽  
Donald V. Goolsbee ◽  
Wulf F. Massell ◽  
H. Roice Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Reflection Coefficient ◽  
Physical Model ◽  
Shear Wave ◽  
Model Experiment ◽  
Mode Conversion ◽  
Shear Waves ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Wave Reflections ◽  
Sea Floor ◽  
Physical Model Experiment

The observation and common‐depth‐point (CDP) processing of mode‐converted shear waves is demonstrated for real data collected in a physical model experiment. The model, submerged in water, represented water depth scaled to 250 ft, the first subsea reflector at 4000 ft, and the last reflector at 7000 ft below the sea floor with a structural wedge at the center. Very efficient mode conversion, from P to SV and back to P, is anticipated for angles of incidence at the liquid‐solid interface (sea floor) between 35 and 80 degrees. The model, constructed of Plexiglas and 3180 resin, will support elastic shear‐wave propagation. One anticipated problem, internal reflections from the sides of the model, was solved by tapering the sides of the model to 45 degrees off vertical. The P wave reflection coefficient at an interface between Plexiglas and water is 35 percent for vertical incidence, but it diminishes to very nearly zero between 43 and 75 degrees. Thus, by tapering the sides of the model, any undesired internal P wave reflections had to undergo at least two reflections at angles of incidence in the low reflection coefficient range for P waves. Data were collected in both an end‐on CDP mode, with offsets from 1000 ft to 20,000 ft, and a variety of walkaway experiments with scaled ranges from 1000 ft to 31,000 ft. Processing and analysis of the data confirm the existence of mode‐converted shear‐wave reflections in a modeled marine environment. In particular, the S wave reflections from all interfaces are identified on both the 100 percent gathered records and the final stacked records. These SV wave reflections were isolated for stacking by considering those portions of the gathered records, both offset and arrival time, that correspond to optimum angles of incidence. In addition, τ-p processing isolated particular angles of incidence, further confirming the incidence angle‐range criterion. Thus, the desired events are unambiguously identified as mode‐converted shear waves.

Modeling sensitivity of 3D, 9-C wide azimuth data to changes in fluid content and crack density in cracked reservoirs

Geophysics ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. T155-T165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herurisa Rusmanugroho ◽  
George A. McMechan
Keyword(s):  
Practical Importance ◽  
Crack Density ◽  
Maximum Amplitude ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Staggered Grid ◽  
Wave Reflections ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Reservoir Properties ◽  
Fluid Content ◽  
Isotropic Media

The volume density of cracks and the fluids contained in them are salient aspects of characterization of cracked reservoirs. Thus, it is of practical importance to investigate whether variations in these reservoir properties are detectable in seismic observations. Eighth-order staggered-grid, 3D finite-difference simulations generate nine-component amplitude variations with offset and azimuth (AVOAZ) for reflections from the top of a vertically cracked zone embedded in an isotropic host. The T-matrix method is used to calculate elastic stiffness tensors. Responses for various crack densities and fluid contents show sensitivity to the spatial orientation of, and variation in, anisotropy. In isotropic media, when source and receiver components have the same orientation (such as XX and YY), reflection amplitude contours align approximately perpendicular to the particle motion. Mixed components (such as XY and YX) have amplitude patterns thatare symmetrical pairs of the same, or opposite, polarity on either side of the diagonal of the 9-C response matrix. In anisotropic media, AVOAZ data show the same basic patterns and symmetries as for isotropic media but with a superimposed tendency for alignment parallel to the strike of the vertical cracks. The data contain combined effects related to the source, receiver, and crack orientations. The sensitivity of data to changes in fluid content is quantified by comparing the differences between responses to various fluid conditions, to the maximum amplitude of oil-filled crack responses. For a crack density of 0.1, amplitude differences are [Formula: see text] for oil-dry and [Formula: see text] for oil-brine. The corresponding values for S-wave reflections are [Formula: see text] for oil-dry and [Formula: see text] for oil-brine. Amplitude changes caused by changing the oil-filled crack density from 0.1 to 0.2 are [Formula: see text] for P-wave reflections and [Formula: see text] for S-wave reflections. These differences are visible in AVOAZ data and are potentially diagnostic for reservoir characterization.

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