Software Update: Time for 4D
Sharp Reflections Release 2023
Release 2023.1 puts 4D seismic analysis into high-fidelity focus for 2024. New and enhanced tools amplify the value of using time-lapse data for development decisions.
Release 2023.1 expands the capabilities of our 4D Time-Lapse toolkit to help you improve understanding of dynamic reservoir changes.
What are the new features?
Synthetic scenario modeler
Perform discrete tests of 4D fluid and pressure effects to better understand and manage production
The scenario modeler lets you quickly and easily test 4D seismic changes as part of your field development plan. Compare the discrete effects of fluid (brine, oil and gas) and pressure changes. The tool can also be used to model multiple thickness and/or elastic property changes in a single scenario, create blocky and full-log resolution synthetics, and group scenarios into scenario sets. The new tool allows you to feed information from reservoir simulation models to model seismic changes, and quickly perform “what if” scenarios to assist planning of new production and injection wells.
Create blocky and full log resolution synthetics.
Test 4D seismic changes as seen or planned in field development.
Keep track of scenario deviation.
4D time-shift estimation, correction and interpretation
Choose from three methods for aligning base and monitor surveys
Release 2023 now includes three different time-shift estimation methods that can be used to detect, correct, and interpret production-related travel time shifts in seismic events. The tool offers real-time parameter testing functionality, and enables previews of time-shifts, time-strains and amplitude differences with the context of the geological structure and well-locations. High quality, geologically consistent results are achieved in minutes, instead of hours or days.
SI4TI: Simple probabilistic and laterally constrained inversion
SI4TI time-lapse time-shift estimation technology, licensed from Equinor, is now embedded in Sharp Reflections software. The SI4TI option in the time-shift tool offers 4D noise suppression and multivintage 4D constraints, as well as vertical and lateral smoothness constraints to measure highly accurate and consistent time shifts in clean and noisy data.
New trusted cross-correlation algorithm
Cross-correlation, adapted for time-lapse time-shift estimation, is now available in Sharp Reflections software. The cross-correlation option in the time-shift tool offers robust estimation for large time-shifts, trace-mixing to stabilize timeshifts estimated for neighboring traces, and interpolation of time shifts from areas of strong signal across areas of poor correlations.
NLI1D (Non-linear inversion in 1D), recommended by our research partners at ETLP
The new tools complement the NLI1D time-lapse time-shift estimation technology (Release 6.8). NLI1D offers a high vertical resolution, and flexible constraints on time-shifts or time-strains. This allows estimation of time-strains as a 4D seismic attribute, as an alternative to 4D inversion to velocity changes.
Compare and select the best time-shift estimation method for time alignment of base- and monitor surveys.
Cross-plotter for streamlined 4D interpretation
Match time/depth data for faster, more reliable insight into seismic survey differences over time
The new cross-plotter tool works on multi-dimensional data to simultaneously track attribute changes between vintages. The tool offers automatic vintage subselection, and vintage pair differencing-on the fly. New 4D rock physics overlays deepens understanding of reservoir fluid migration and pressure changes over time.
The new tool also allows cross-plotting of seismic data and inversion volumes with well-data. The well-data is upscaled automatically to two-way time and the frequency content is matched to that of the seismic data. This allows for rapid and streamlined quantitative inversion QC.
Use a map poloygon to control the points in a crossplot.
Use a mask polygon to link a zone of interes in the plot back to Stack Viewer.
Visualize and QC a mask volume as geobodies in the 3D Viewer.
Use rock physics overlays to understand the reservoir fluids.
Webinar replay: Release 2023.1
In case you missed it or want to review anything, be sure to check out the replay. We hope it was super-helpful and that you enjoyed watching.
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More good ideas
Release 2023.1 offers the following additional capabilities, developed in collaboration with a major operator and longtime client.
For the processing specialist
Q estimation
Input wavelets from two different time windows—one shallow, one deep.
New capability helps to enhance structure resolution for improved reservoir characterization.
Spectral ratio method
Input wavelets from two different time windows—one shallow, one deep
User controls the frequency range
AVO-compliant Q compensation
Gaining control across offsets or angles ensures that noise is not amplified excessively.
A new AVO friendly way of better performing Q compensation with offset or angle.
Accurate travel time calculations from seabed make this method suited to variable water depths
This method preserves the wavelet bandwidth accurately across offsets or angles, thus ensuring AVO compliance
Additional controls on gain ensure that noise is not amplified excessively
For the processing specialist and QI specialist
Time variant shaping
Offset/angle—dependent shaping is used to balance spectra from near to far.
Consistent and AVO-friendly time variant shaping of offset angle to balance spectra from near to far, perform colored inversion and more general shaping.
Maintain spectral shape over long time/depth ranges, e.g. thick, stacked pay sequences such as Offshore West Africa.
- Nonstationary seismic wavelet
- Noise character is time/depth dependent
Filters are applied pre-migration, to minimize or eliminate amplitude distortions on steeply dipping events, e.g. salt dome flanks or other structurally-complex settings.
- Apply shaping to demigrated data, then remigrate using the same velocity and migration algorithm
- Perform as separate de- or remigration steps (EMPreSS) for optimal preservation of extreme dips
- Perform demigration-filter-remigrate in a single pass for speed and efficiency on large areas (FK Shaping)
What more can we tell you?
Lots more, in fact. Visit the 4D Time-Lapse toolkit page to learn more about how Sharp Reflections makes 4D analysis fast, interactive and reliable for interpreters and decision makers in near-field exploration and development.
Release 2023.1 builds on last year’s PreStack Pro 6.8 release to provide new 4D capabilities, enhancements and updates. Find the 6.8 release page here.
What’s on the horizon? How about Machine Learning.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere, and we are actively exploring its potential to make your user experience more efficient. Together with Fraunhofer ITWM—our longtime partners in technology innovation—we are introducing new machine learning (ML) approaches to seismic data processing and analysis.
The first step in our ML journey
Advanced deep neural networks, trained on high-quality, feature-rich synthetic data, have learned to transform input gathers into multiple-free or event-aligned versions. This capability is effective across all postmigration gathers, including from marine surface, ocean bottom cable (OBC), or land data measurements, and is versatile across various domains such as vertical time or depth, or horizontal offset or angle.
These networks have been integrated into Sharp Reflections software as ML Demultiple and ML Align, offering users a hassle-free experience in gather conditioning. They eliminate the need for parameter optimization or mute functions, while still allowing user interaction to control aspects such as the strength of the demultiple effect.
ML Demultiple and ML Align feature dedicated interfaces within Sharp Reflections software. They can also be embedded in workflows to simplify comparison to traditional methods like Radon Demultiple and correlation-based Align.
Curious? Just ask. We’re happy to tell you more.
This ML technology is a product of the Fraunhofer ITWM DLSeis Consortium project. Further developments are underway to extend ML functionalities to other conditioning steps and azimuthal gathers.
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