Three-dimensional illumination analysis in pipe-like complexities by ray-tracing modeling

Pipe-like formations are vertical, complex and shape-diverse subsurface structures. The accurate seismic interpretation is essential for understanding their fluid dynamics and environmental impacts. However, conventional seismic exploration techniques struggle to accurately resolve their critical ar...

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Main Authors: Zhihua Cui, Feng Tan, Olusoji Lawrence Taiwo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Earth Science
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2024.1487605/full
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author Zhihua Cui
Zhihua Cui
Feng Tan
Feng Tan
Olusoji Lawrence Taiwo
author_facet Zhihua Cui
Zhihua Cui
Feng Tan
Feng Tan
Olusoji Lawrence Taiwo
author_sort Zhihua Cui
collection DOAJ
description Pipe-like formations are vertical, complex and shape-diverse subsurface structures. The accurate seismic interpretation is essential for understanding their fluid dynamics and environmental impacts. However, conventional seismic exploration techniques struggle to accurately resolve their critical areas due to a general decline in imaging quality. This challenge is significant due to their three-dimensional nature, as some exaggerated forms impact seismic imaging, despite appearing similar in 2D slices. This limited perspective is commonly used in the oil and gas industry. This study uses a forward solution based on ray-tracing modeling specifically designed for illumination studies to help understand the impact of boundary on illumination variation, complemented by robust geometric models and elastic information derived from reasonable interpretations. We explore the impact of boundary edge curvature on illumination. The findings indicate that low curvature edges allow more rays to penetrate deeper into the boundary areas, potentially achieving higher illumination. The potential distribution of low-illumination or shadow zones are then proposed on the horizontal attribute at the top of the root area, which may explain why internal structures are often poorly imaged. This suggests the possibility of internal ray preclusion, leading to local multiples that cannot be effectively received. This research supports and enhances the understanding of why conventional seismic methods have difficulty in fully addressing imaging quality for such complex structures. It provides a thoughtful basis for further geological interpretation of this and similar vertical structures under the constraints of seismic imaging technology.
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spelling doaj-art-ad6a7ab0de3145909067f1e7166ba5652025-01-17T06:51:10ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Earth Science2296-64632025-01-011210.3389/feart.2024.14876051487605Three-dimensional illumination analysis in pipe-like complexities by ray-tracing modelingZhihua Cui0Zhihua Cui1Feng Tan2Feng Tan3Olusoji Lawrence Taiwo4College of Big Data and Software Engineering, Zhejiang Wanli University, Ningbo, ChinaDepartment of Geology and Geophysics, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United KingdomResearch and Development Center, BGP, CNPC, Zhuozhou, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, ChinaDepartment of Geology and Geophysics, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United KingdomPipe-like formations are vertical, complex and shape-diverse subsurface structures. The accurate seismic interpretation is essential for understanding their fluid dynamics and environmental impacts. However, conventional seismic exploration techniques struggle to accurately resolve their critical areas due to a general decline in imaging quality. This challenge is significant due to their three-dimensional nature, as some exaggerated forms impact seismic imaging, despite appearing similar in 2D slices. This limited perspective is commonly used in the oil and gas industry. This study uses a forward solution based on ray-tracing modeling specifically designed for illumination studies to help understand the impact of boundary on illumination variation, complemented by robust geometric models and elastic information derived from reasonable interpretations. We explore the impact of boundary edge curvature on illumination. The findings indicate that low curvature edges allow more rays to penetrate deeper into the boundary areas, potentially achieving higher illumination. The potential distribution of low-illumination or shadow zones are then proposed on the horizontal attribute at the top of the root area, which may explain why internal structures are often poorly imaged. This suggests the possibility of internal ray preclusion, leading to local multiples that cannot be effectively received. This research supports and enhances the understanding of why conventional seismic methods have difficulty in fully addressing imaging quality for such complex structures. It provides a thoughtful basis for further geological interpretation of this and similar vertical structures under the constraints of seismic imaging technology.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2024.1487605/fullpipe-like formationray-trace attributewavefront constructionillumination analysisshadow zone
spellingShingle Zhihua Cui
Zhihua Cui
Feng Tan
Feng Tan
Olusoji Lawrence Taiwo
Three-dimensional illumination analysis in pipe-like complexities by ray-tracing modeling
Frontiers in Earth Science
pipe-like formation
ray-trace attribute
wavefront construction
illumination analysis
shadow zone
title Three-dimensional illumination analysis in pipe-like complexities by ray-tracing modeling
title_full Three-dimensional illumination analysis in pipe-like complexities by ray-tracing modeling
title_fullStr Three-dimensional illumination analysis in pipe-like complexities by ray-tracing modeling
title_full_unstemmed Three-dimensional illumination analysis in pipe-like complexities by ray-tracing modeling
title_short Three-dimensional illumination analysis in pipe-like complexities by ray-tracing modeling
title_sort three dimensional illumination analysis in pipe like complexities by ray tracing modeling
topic pipe-like formation
ray-trace attribute
wavefront construction
illumination analysis
shadow zone
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feart.2024.1487605/full
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AT fengtan threedimensionalilluminationanalysisinpipelikecomplexitiesbyraytracingmodeling
AT fengtan threedimensionalilluminationanalysisinpipelikecomplexitiesbyraytracingmodeling
AT olusojilawrencetaiwo threedimensionalilluminationanalysisinpipelikecomplexitiesbyraytracingmodeling