IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,625,290
Granted Patent B2
US 12,625,290 · App. 18/028,149 · Granted May 12, 2026

Method and system of imaging hydrocarbon reservoirs using adaptive aperture tapering in kirchhoff depth migration

Inventors: Yujin Liu (Beijing, CN); Hongwei Liu (Dhahran, SA); Fuhao Qin (Dhahran, SA); Yi He (Beijing, CN)
Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
G01V1/345G01V1/282G01V1/301G01V1/303E21B7/04G01V2210/512G01V2210/66
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,625,290
App. No.
18/028,149
Granted
May 12, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method ( 600 ) and a system ( 1000 ) for generating an adaptive migration taper for a pre-stack seismic dataset are disclosed. The method ( 600 ) includes obtaining the pre-stack seismic dataset ( 602 ) and a seismic velocity model of a subterranean region ( 604 ). The method ( 600 ) also includes generating the adaptive migration taper based, at least in part, on the pre-stack seismic dataset ( 606 ), and forming a migrated seismic image using a migration function, the seismic velocity model, the pre-stack seismic dataset, and the adaptive migration taper ( 608 ). The method ( 600 ) further includes determining a location of a hydrocarbon reservoir based, at least in part, on the migrated seismic image ( 610 ).

Claims (31)

1 . A method comprising:

obtaining a pre-stack seismic dataset of a subterranean region;

obtaining a seismic velocity model of the subterranean region;

generating an adaptive migration taper based on the pre-stack seismic dataset comprising:

generating a dip-constrained weight function based on a maximum dip for a depth and a first taper length,

generating an adaptive weight function based on a depth index and a second taper length, and

combining the dip-constrained weight function and the adaptive weight function;

forming a migrated seismic image using a migration function, the seismic velocity model, the pre-stack seismic dataset, and the adaptive migration taper;

determining a location of a hydrocarbon reservoir based on the migrated seismic image;

planning a wellbore path to intersect the hydrocarbon reservoir; and

drilling a wellbore guided by the wellbore path.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the depth index is determined from a migration impulse response.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first taper length and the second taper length are identical taper lengths.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the adaptive migration taper comprises a vertical taper.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the migration function is a Kirchhoff migration function based on an integral form of a wave equation that corresponds to pressure wave displacement and a pressure wave velocity as function of three-dimensional space and time.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein obtaining the seismic velocity model comprises performing velocity analysis on the pre-stack seismic dataset.

7 . A system comprising:

a seismic acquisition system configured to obtain a pre-stack seismic dataset of a subterranean region;

a seismic processing system configured to:

receive the pre-stack seismic dataset,

receive a seismic velocity model of the subterranean region,

generate an adaptive migration taper based on the pre-stack seismic dataset comprising:

generate a dip-constrained weight function based on a maximum dip for a depth and a first taper length;

generate an adaptive weight function based on a depth index and a second taper length; and

combine the dip-constrained weight function and the adaptive weight function, and

form a migrated seismic image using a migration function, the seismic velocity model, the pre-stack seismic dataset, and the adaptive migration taper;

a seismic interpretation workstation configured to determine a location of a hydrocarbon reservoir based on the migrated seismic image;

a wellbore planning system configured to plan a wellbore path to intersect the hydrocarbon reservoir; and

a drilling system configured to drill a wellbore guided by the wellbore path.

8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the depth index is determined from a migration impulse response.

9 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the migration function is a Kirchhoff migration function based on an integral form of a wave equation that corresponds to pressure wave displacement and a pressure wave velocity as function of three-dimensional space and time.

Assignments (4)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SPELLING OF THE RECEIVING PARTY'S CITY PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 64289 FRAME 54. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Apr 9, 2026
From: LIU, HONGWEI; QIN, FUHAO
To: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
Reel/Frame 075378/0144 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 13, 2023
From: ARAMCO FAR EAST (BEIJING) BUSINESS SERVICES CO., LTD.
To: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
Reel/Frame 065238/0035 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2023
From: LIU, HONGWEI; QIN, FUHAO
To: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
Reel/Frame 064289/0054 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2023
From: LIU, YUJIN; HE, YI
To: ARAMCO FAR EAST (BEIJING) BUSINESS SERVICES CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 064289/0094 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240302555A1 · Sep 12, 2024
References Cited (16)
US 5629904A · Kosloff et al. · 1997 [cited by applicant]
US 6131071A · Partyka et al. · 2000 [cited by applicant]
US 6826484B2 · Martinez et al. · 2004 [cited by applicant]
US 9702997B2 · Sava et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 10338253B2 · Frijlink et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20140200814A1 · Guillaume et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140293744A1 · Zhang · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140324358A1 · Kitchenside · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20160320512A1 · Zhao et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20220043175A1 · Liu · 2022 [cited by examiner]
US 20230350090A1 · Chen · 2023 [cited by examiner]
CN 101937100A · 2011 [cited by applicant]
CN 110673213A · 2020 [cited by applicant]
International Search Report and Written Opinion issued in corresponding International Application No. PCT/CN2022/120735, mailed Jun. 16, 2023 (8 pages). [cited by applicant]
K. Liu et al., “Adaptive Tapering In the Wavefield Extrapolation”, 2004, SEG Annual Meeting, SEG-2004-0965, pp. 1-4 (4 pages). [cited by applicant]
A. Klokov et al., “Selecting an optimal Aperture in Kirchhoff Migration Using Dip-ngle Images”, Geophysics, 2013, vol. 78, No. 6, pp. 1-33 (33 pages). [cited by applicant]