Seismic Modeling

ProtoLink developed interactive seismic modeling software for use in an instructional setting.

ProtoLink was approached by a consultant that travels internationally teaching seismic modeling techniques to engineers in the oil industry. He had created extensive printed material for use in his courses, but desired interactive seismic modeling software that would allow his students to gain experience building models.

Before approaching ProtoLink, the consultant had engaged another organization to develop the software; but, they were unable to deliver it successfully because they lacked the necessary mathematical background required to turn his detailed notes and formulas into working software. Because all of ProtoLink’s developers are degreed engineers, ProtoLink was able to successfully complete the project.

The ProtoLink-developed application allows a user to model a single 2D slice through a reservoir. The user inputs basic geometry information of the slice and the geometry for each layer, as well as its velocity, density, and Poisson’s Ratio.

The software displays two simple views of the calculated values:

  1. A depth plot that shows the geometry of the slice and all of its layers. In addition, it can display each layer’s velocity, density, impedance, Poisson’s Ratio, Lambda Rho, and Mu Rho using a colored scale
  2. A time plot of the individual seismic traces across the slice. The user can interactively adjust the gain, polarity, and offset angle of the traces

The software also displays three complex views that show advanced calculation results on the top half of the view, along with the depth plot on the bottom half of the view. These advanced calculations are performed at a single distance across the slice. The distance is shown as a vertical line on the depth plot and can be interactively moved back and forth across the slice. The plots on the top half of the display are updated automatically as the line is moved on the depth plot. These complex views include:

  1. A frequency plot that shows the amplitude of the signal versus the frequency
  2. An amplitude versus offset (AVO) reflection coefficient plot that also shows the slope and intercept at the boundary between each layer
  3. An AVO time plot that shows how the time plot varies with the offset angle for the trace at the current distance

The application’s simplified data entry interface and highly interactive data views make it ideally suited for use in its intended instructional setting.

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