Seismic Exploration

Two-dimensional Seismic Line

Seismic work is done by introducing seismic energy through man made explosions Systematic seismic lines were laid to cover area of interest The survey results in subsurface profile as shown on a seismic line

The Objective of Seismic works..

To identify exploration prospects: as part of the prospect ranking processes To reduce exploration risk through better subsurface imaging techniques The method involve the study of earths physical properties as waves propagation media and its responses to artificial means

Seismic method involves the study of waves propagation in the earth layers
Seismic waves spread in homogenous media The useful wave used in exploration is the P wave usage The use of other waves are still in research stage Time-distance plot is used to differentiate various type of waves
Plot T-X

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Spreading wave may cause destructive forces.

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Seismic parameters : source, distance and velocity

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Seismic waves inside the earth

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Time distance plot curve

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So waves retain its character by..

Its velocity of propagation Distance from its source Amplitude Frequency Phase
Vel1
vel2 Vel3

All of the above characters shall be the useful tools in seismic exploration method

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Seismic waves propagation

Three dimensional seismic data presentation

Wavefront and Raypath

Wave propagation
Two layers each having velocity of 5000 and 1000 meter per second The wave front form a sphere while traveling in homogenous media At 25 ms it travels about 125 m from the source

Head waves

Snells Law

Wave propagation
As the wave front reaches the velocity interface three waves were formed namely: reflected, refracted and direct wave. The refracted wave travels continuously downward at the speed of the second layer Direct wave travels at a speed of the first layer, reaches the surface as first arrival

Quiz over?

Waves propagating in multiple layers

Three velocity layers represent seismic interfaces The red dot represent shot point position

Waves propagating in multiple layers

Assuming homogenous velocity layer through out the entire layer The wave front travels at a speed of 1500 m per second It reaches depth of about 135 m deep after traveling 90 ms.

Waves propagating in multiple layers

At 155 ms three waves form interference at the boundary of layer 1 and 2 Head waves travel at the speed of layer 2 The wave front travel further down into layer 3 while reflected wave is about to reach surface

Waves propagating in multiple layers

At short offset we will observe direct arrival that travel at a speed equal with the top layer. At intermediate offset the head wave travels at the speed of the second layer (B1) At large offset head wave (B2) appears at a speed of the bottom layer.

End of Part I