to Seismic Inverslon

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Introduction

Methods

Brian Russell

PART 5 - RECURSIVE INVERSION - PRACTICE

_

Part

5 - Recursive

Inversion

- Practice

..

Page 5 -

Introduction

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5.1

to Seismic

The Recurslye

Inversion

Inversion

Methods

Brian

Russell

Method

We have nowreached a point

where we may start aiscussing the various

algorithms currently usedto invert seismicdata. Wemustremember

that all
these techniquesare baseUon the assumptionof a one-aimensionalseismic
trace model. Tat is, we assumethat all the corrections which were aiscussed
in section 4 have been correctly applied, leaving us with a seismic section in

whic each trace represents a vertical, band-limiteU reflectivity

this section we will

series.

In

look at someof the problems inherent in this assumption.

The most popular techniquecurrently used to invert seismic Uata is

referred

to as recursire

inversion

and goes under such trade

names as SEISLOGana

VERILOG. The basic equations used are given in part 2, anU can be written

Zi+
1 Zi

ri--Zi+l+
Zi
where

and

The seismic data are

<===__===>
Zi+l
=Zi

LIJ

r i = ith reflection

coefficient,

Zi --/Vi= density
x velocity.
simply assumeato fit

the forward model and is

inverted usingthe inverse relationship. However,as wasshownin section 3,

one of te key problemsin the recursire inversion of seismic data is the loss
of the low-frequency component. Figure 5.1 shows an exampleof an input
seismic

section

aria the

resulting pseuao-acoustic impeaance without

the

incorporationof low frequency information. Notice that it resemblesa

phase-shifteU version of the seismicata. The questionof introUuclng the
low frequencycomponent
involvestwo separateissues. First, wheredo we get
the low-frequency
component
from, ana, second,howao we incorporateit?

Part

5 - Recurslye

Inversion

- Practice

Page 5 -

2.

Introduction

to Seismic Inversion Methods

Brian Russell

1171121e9leS1ol 92 93

i'11
I I Ittltl
=::::::::::---lll[l1111t
' 1tlllttllltl
Illl1t1 l!IIit!
'ti! llltfltll!!l
I I !1!tn'il, ,
"

--''
'

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,
'

.- -.

.,.,
4

,,
.... _.

f .

............
.........

-::-=

-,
., ,l,,..,,,
,-,, ..,, ,,,,.,,
,,,I,....,
.......
.,,
. ....
.,%.
' .,, ,.,....
i .......
.......
,;.
.,
..,
..... .......,
.,.,,,,..,..,
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.....,
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. '2
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J.I .,,,
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.......
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....

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___ ....
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-

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...................
''',,:'l,fm;
,' ,,,'
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",,','",','
":''"m
iq't''a
....:.,
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.' ' - '""W',-

. ,'.

:, m,'.

lJ ":!

- (
,,

- ,,.-....,'.;.',-,..
.........

7*

. :ci

'

':; , /....................

. ....

-(-( .,(''":"'7

' . , .

x{

....

..................
m:''

,_

............

...................

':.,

......

....- ......... " 7'

"''

.... ; '_ ],;,' ; '--,-----m'l

r'u'" $ .... ,......r ... <

- ' '' /."

,,,_
. ; .... ,.:.-..............
......
%--=:
. ...

=". ....
' . .''q

7' ' '. '

.----

". q
.....
...........
.... ,...........
.....

';u

,.,,-.,,?'..%.,

*'dti',i

lll'i'/lt' i"'; :;tl,i21..l'*.'.'l,-ii.''..,:b-''?

?'' ;q .('''"",h/''}
''"' c'((''"..........
"

.....

"

'1 '

'

' '

.... ,
, -'

'

.....

--.- -_

'

"'I'iI
,,._.'.';'".

........

:: ::

......

'.--
'. ,,,' ,,'-<.,
,. ,, ,

(a) OriinalSeismic
Data. Heavylines indicatemajorreflectors.
N

'"

"

0.7
0.7
0.8

0.8
0.9

'I

10

!l

1.0
I 1
I

1.2

12

.I
.!

1.3

!.3

1 4

1.4

1.5

1.5
1.6

1.7
1.7

18
i

(b)

19

Recursiveinversion of data in (a).

Figure
Part 5 - Recursive Inversion - Practice

5.1

(Galbraith and Millington, 1979)

Page 5 -

Introduction to Seismic Inversion Methods

Brian Russell

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Thelow frequencycomponent
can be foundin oneof three ways'
(1) From a filtered

sonic log

The sonic log is the best wayof derivinglow-frequency

information in
the vicinity of the well. However,
it suffers fromtwomainproblems'it is
usually stretched with respectto the seismicdata andit lacks.a lateral

component.
Theseproblems,
discussed
in GalbraithandMillington(1979), are
solved by using a stretching algorithm which stretches the sonic log
information to fit

the seismic data at selected control points.

(2) From seismic velocity

analysis

In this case, interval velocities are derived from the stacking velocity
functions along a seismicline usingDix' formula. The resulting function

will be quite noisyandit is advisable to do someformof two-dimensional

filtering on them. In Figure 5.2(a), a 2-D polynomialfit has beendone to
smoothout the function.

This final

set of

traces represents the filtered

interval velocity in the 0-10 Hz rangefor eachtrace and may be added

directly to the invertedseismictraces. Refer to rindseth (1979), for more
de ta i 1 s.

(3) Froma geological model

Using all
incorporated.

available sources, a

blocky geological model can be built

and

This is a time-consuming method.

Part 5 - Recursire Inversion - Practice

Page 5 -

4.

Introduction

to Seismic InversiOn Methods

.

Brian Russell

70000

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GOOO0

$0000

(pvl 4oooo

'/sgc

( b)

$oooo
ZOOO0

I0000

/ --V..308
(PV)*
3460
,

(a)
i

Figure 5.2

VELocrrY SURFACE 2rid ORDERPOLYN

Frr
s mTZeH CUTFtT
tRussell and Lindseth,

Part 5 - RecursiveInversion- Practice

Page5 -

1982).

Introduction

to Seismic Inversion Methods

Brian Russell

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Second, the low-frequency component

can be addedto the high frequency

component
by either adding reflectivity stage or the impedance
stage. In
section 2.3, it wasshownthat the continuousapproximationto the forwardand
inverse equations was given by
Inverse Equation

Forward Equati on

n Z(t)
r(t) =-1 d 1dt
-

<::==> Z(t)

=Z(O)
exp
20r(t)dt.

Sincethe previoustransforms
are nonlinear(because
of the logarithm),
Galbraith and Millington (1979) suggestthat the addition of the low-frequency

component
shouldbe madeat the reflectivity stage. In the SEISLOG
technique
they are addedat the velocity stage. However,
dueto other considerations,
this should not affect the result too much.

Of course, we are really interested in the seismic velocity rather than

the acoustic impedance.

Figure5.2(b), fromLindseth(lg79), shows
that an
approximatelinear relationship exists between velocity and acoustic
impedance, given by
V = 0.308 Z + 3460 ft/sec.

Notice

that

this

relationship

is good for carbonates and clastics and

poor for evaporitesand shouldtherefore be usedwith caution. A moreexact

relationship may be found by doing crossplots from a well close to the
prospect. However,
usinga similar relationshipwemayapproximately
extract
velocity information from the recoveredacoustic impedance.

Figure 5.3 showslow frequencyinformationderived from filtered

sonic

logs. The final pseudo-acoustic

impedancelog is shownin Figure5.4
including the low-frequency
component.Notice that the geologicalmarkersare
moreclearly visible on the final inverted section.

Part 5 - Recurslye Inversion

- Practice

Page 5 -

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Introduction

to Seismic Inversion

Figure 5.3

Methods

Brian Russell

LowFrequency
comDonent
derived from"st.reched:'sonic lo.

0.7
0.8
0.9

0.9

l.O

1.0

1.1

1.1

1.2

1.2

1.3

1.:)

1.4

1.4

1.5

I$

1.6

1.6

1.7

1.7

1.8
19

19

Figure 5.4

Final inversioncombininFigures 5.1(b) and 5.3.

Lines indicate major reflectors.

(Galbraith and Millington, 1979)

Part

5 - Recursive

Inversion

- Practice

Page 5 -

Introduction

to Seismic Inversion

In sugary,

Methods

Brian Russell

the recursive methodof seismic inversion may be given by the

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fol 1owing flowchart'

INTRODUCE
LOW
FREQUENCIES
)
I.voDO-COc

ICORRECT
TO
PSEUDO
' VELOCITIES

CONVERT
TO
DEPTH
I

Recursi ve Inversion
,

Procedure

.,

A commonmethod of display used for inverted sections is to convert to

actual

interval

transit

times.

coloured according to a lithological

These transit

times are then contoured and

colour scheme. This is an effective way

of presentingthe information especially to those not totally familiar'with

normal

seismic

sections.

Part 5 - Recursive Inversion

- Practice

Page 5 -

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Introduction

to Seismic

Inversion

(a)

Methods

Brian Russell

Frequency
(e)

(b)

Fig.

(a) Frequency response of a theoretical

differentiator.

(b) Frequencyresponseof a theoretical integrator.

(Russell and Lindseth, !982 )
,m

Part

5 -Recursire

Inversion

- Practice

,i

ml

Page 5 -

Introduction

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5.2

to Seismic

Inver.si.on

Methods

Brian

Russell

I nfor.marl
o.nI ?_Th.e.
Lo..w
.F.r.equ.e.
ncycompo..ne.
nt
The key factor which sets inverted data apart from normal seismic data is

the inclusion of the low frequency component,regardless of howthis component

is introduced. In this section we will look at the interpretational

advantages of introducing this component. The information in this section is
taken from a paper by Russell and Lindseth (1982).
We

start

by

assuming

reflectivity-impedance

the

extremely

simple

moael

for

the

relationship which was introduced in part 5.1. However,

we will neglect the logarithmic relationship of the more complete theory (this
is justifiea
for reflection coefficients less that 0.1), so tat
t

_1dZ(t)<=__==>
Z(t)
=2Z(O)j
0r(t)at'

r(t) - dt-

If we consider a single harmonic component, we may derive the frequency

response of this tel ationship, which is

dejwt
-dt
"-- jwejwt<===> . jwtdt= -jw

eJWt

where

w--

21Tf,

In words.,differentiation introducesa -6 riB/octaveslope from.the high

end of the spectrumto the low, and a +90 degree phase shift. Integration
introduces a -6 dB/octave slope from the low end to the high end,

and a -90

degree phase shift. Simpler still,

differentiation removeslow frequencies
and integration puts them in. Figure 5.5 illustrates these relationships.
But how aoes all this effect our geology? In
illustrated three basic geological models'
(1) Abrupt 1i thol ogi c change,

Figure 5,6 we have

(2) Transitional

lithologic

change, an

(3) Cyclical change.

Part

5 - Recursire

Inversion

- Practice

Page 5 -

10

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Introduction to Seismic Inversion Methods

(A)MAJORLITHOLOGIC
CHANGE

Brian Russell

(B)TRANSITIONAL LITHOLOGIC
CHANGE

Vl

I
i

I.
I

I
I

V1

I
i
I

V:V+KZ

(C)CYCLICALCHANGE

Fig.

Part

5.6.

5 - Recursire

Threetypesof lithological models' (a) Major change,

(b) Transitional, (c) Cyclical. (Russell andLindseth, 1982).

Inversion

- Practice

Page 5-

11

Introduction to SeismicInversion Methods

Brian Russell

Wemayillustrate the effect of inversiononthesethreecasesbylooking

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at both seismic anUsonic log Uata. To showthe loss of high frequencyon the

sonic log, a simple filter

is used,andthe associated
phaseshift is not

introUuced.

To start with, considera major1ithologic boundary

as exempl
i lieu by the
Paleozoicunconformity
of Western Canada,a changefroma clastic sequence
to

a carbonate
sequence.Figure5.7 shows
that mostof the information
aboutthe

largestepin velocityis containeU

in theD-10liz component
of the soniclog.
In Figure5.8, the seismicdataandfinal Uepthinversion
are shown.On the
seismic data, a major boundaryshowsup as simply a large reflection
coefficient, whereas,on the inversion, the large velocity step is shown.
RAWSONIC

FILTERED
SONICLOGS

VELOCITY FT/SEC

10000

10-90HZ

O-IOHZ

O-CJOHZ

TIME

0.3-

0.5-

Fig. 5.7. Frequency

components
of a sonic
log.

(Russell and Lindset, 1982).

, , ,

[ I

Part 5 - Recursire Inversion - Practice

Page 5 -

12

Introduction

to Seismic

Inversion

Methods

Brian

Russell

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o'- .

(a)

.%;

DEPTH

SEISLOG
DEPTH

.....
lOP OF
"' . ""I:'ALEOZOIC
-425'

(b)

Fig.

.....
Part

5.8.

_.........

5 - Recursive

Major litholgical'change,
Saskatchewan example.
(a) Sesimic s_ection, (b) Inverted section.

_(R_qsell
....and Li,pqse_th,_!98_2)___
Inversion

- Practice

Page 5 -

13

Introduction to Seismic Inversion Methods

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To illustrate

transitional

and cyclic

Brian Russell

change, a single examplewill be

used. Figure. 5.9 showsa soniclog from an offshore Tertiary basin,

illustrating the rampswhichshow a transitional velocity increase, and the
rapidly varyingcyclic sequences.
Noticethat the 0-10 Hzcomponent
contains
all the information about the ramps, but the cyclic sequenceis containedin

the 10-50 Hz component.Onlythe Oc component

is lost from the cyclic
component
uponremovalof the low frequencies. Figure 5.10 illustrates the
samepoint usingthe original seismicdata andthe final depthinversion.
In summary,
the informationcontainedin the low frequencycomponentof
the soniclog is .lost in the seismic data. This includessuchgeological
information as the dc velocity component,large jumps in velocity, and linear

velocity ramps. If this informationcould be recoveredandincluUeaduring

the inversion process, it wouldintroducethis lost geological information.

Fig. 5.9. Soniclog showing

cyclic andtransitionalstrata.
(Russell

Part

5 - Recurslye

Inversion

- Practice

and LinOseth, 1982)

Page 5 -

14

Introduction

to Seismic

Inversion

Methods

Brian

Russell

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SEISMIC SECTION-CYCUC & TRANSITIONAL STRATA

(a)

(b)
i

1-3500

Part

5 - Recursive

Inversion

- Practice

Page 5 -

15

Introduction

5.3

to Seismic Inversion Methods

Sei smical ly Derived Porosi ty

--

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Brian Russell

ILI

We have shownthat

seismic data may be quite

adequately inverted to

pseudo-velocity (and hence pseudo-sonic)information i f our corrections and

assumptions are reasonable.

true

sonic log

Thus,

information

we may try to treat

and extract

the inverted

petrophysical

data

data as

from

it,

specifically porosity values. Angeleri and Carpi (1982) have tried just this,
with mixed results. The flow chart for their procedure is shown in Figure
5.11. In their chart, the Wyllie formula and shale correction are given by:

At

where

--transit

time for fluid saturated rock,

Zstf= porefluid transittime,

btma:rockmatrixtransittime,
Vsh
= fractionalvolume
of shale,and

btsh: shaletransittime.
The derivation

of

porosity

control.

Figure 5.12 shows the

porosity

for

was tried on a line which had good well

plot

each of three wells.

from

the

seismic

well

log

Notice that the fit

clean sands and very poor in the dirty

information

of

sands.

section

only

porosity versus seismic

is reasonable in

the

Thus, we mayextract porosity

under

the

most

favourable

conditions, notably excellent well control and clean sand content.

Part 5 - Recurslye Inversion - Practice

Page 5 -

16

Introduction to Seismic Inversion Methods

Brian Russell

!ILI61C
.AT&'$[IS'MI
.AT&'

F ']w[tt
'ill
]

I-"' ''' m.,,,

_,ml.111,l lit

-[ ,gnu mill i' ill. Utl..I

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%lOtOG

I IIITEIPllETATII
i

l!

WlltK

Fig.

' .

5.11. Porosity eval uati on flow diagram.

(AngeleriandCarpi, 1982).
,

WELL

__

ClII

"

PNIIVI

o..- OPt

,
e

WELL

,
I

.....

'
e

WELL

poeoItrv

I
e

,e

CPI

-e

1.4

1.7

1.8,

1.9

Fig.

5.12. Porosity profiles from seismic data and borehole data.

Shalepercentage
is al so displayed. (Angel
eri andCarpi, 1982).
i

Part

5 - Recursire

Inversion

- Practice

Page 5 -

17