4 Semblance Analysis

Contents

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Picking (Label Arrivals) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Interactive Picking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

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Overview
Full waveforms are acquired by a sonic logging tool with multiple receivers. At each measured depth,
multiple waveforms are recorded from each receiver. The waveform processing technique is based on the
principle of semblance analysis in seismic application. Coherent energies can be measured when a running
window scans the multiple waveforms at each time position and the move-out (slowness) position. There
should be a position at which the window just covers the same arrival from each receiver, and this position
should then yield the biggest energy in its neighborhood. This point will be picked as the arrival slowness
at a later stage.
Geolog provides two modules to perform the above workflow; the "Processing" on page 4-3 module processes
a set of waveforms from an array of receivers over the entire depth range. The technique is based on the
basic principles of the coherence analysis. This module produces a slowness projection log which can then
be used to search for the most coherent position in the given projection log, and output the selected arrivals
using the "Picking (Label Arrivals)" on page 4-9 module. The Processing module can also be used to
reprocess data to enhance the vertical resolution or compensate for the effects caused by borehole size
changes or both.

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 Processing

This module performs semblance processing and outputs a semblance and a projection log.
The module scans the waveforms in both Time and Slowness (move-out) direction. The "scan" starts from
START time, and ends at the END time at each step, as defined by UTIME_STEP. At each time position,
the window will also scan data from SLOWNESS_FROM to SLOWNESS_TO at a SLOWNESS_STEP
interval. For each position in the scanning process, the energy distribution is calculated and stored in a
PROJECTION_R or PROJECTION_T log, according to the method specified. The output slowness
projection log reveals the most coherent band in the depth-slowness coordinate plane. A coherent band is
an indication of an arrival, since the curve shape of each arrival should ideally bear the same
characteristics. A semblance log, SEMBLANCE_R or SEMBLANCE_T, is output by default and can be used
as quality control in the “Array Data Viewer” on page 8-1 window.
.
A graphical illustration of the input parameters is shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1:

The Semblance log can be viewed for quality control purposes in the “Array Data Viewer” on page 8-1
window. The Projection log viewed in an Image track. The coherence in the Projection log varies between 0

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and 100%. A value of 0% means that there is no correlated arrival, whereas a value of 100% means that the
waveform components within the processing window correlate perfectly.

To process waveforms
1. Ensure the required “Data Preparation” on page 2-1 has been performed on the data to be
analyzed.
2. Select Petrophysics > Full Waveform Sonic > Semblance Analysis > Processing to
display the tp_array_sonic_process module.
3. Specify the Input Set.
4. If required, change the Output Set.
5. Set the values for the parameters as described in Table 4-1, "tp_array_sonic_process Module
Parameters" on page 4-5.
6. Click Start to run the module.

The tp_array_sonic_process Module

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Table 4-1: tp_array_sonic_process Module Parameters
Parameter Name Default Description
METHOD Receiver Select the processing method required for:
• RECEIVER—Receiver array processing is the standard processing
mode: a signal is emitted from a transmitter and recorded by all
receivers. The resultingslowness represents an average value over
the receiver array.
• TRANSMITTER—Transmitter array processing is done by using
measurements from consecutive logging positions. As a result the
computed slowness represents an average value over the
transmitter array.
The main purpose of the receiver and transmitter array processing is
to provide a compensation for borehole irregularities such as washouts.
This is achieved by averaging the obtained slowness estimates from
these two configurations using the “Calculate Mean (slowness)” on
page 5-3 module.
START Enter values to specify the processing time range. Leaving these fields
STOP blank will process the complete waveform signal.
Note: Setting limits to the time range will increase processing speed
and may improve processing quality by eliminating unwanted early
and late arrivals from the semblance process.
UTIME_WINDOW 1600s This defines the time processing window size in s.This window length
should at least include one period of the wave type (P-, S-, or Stoneley
wave) being tracked. It is recommended that the time window should
contain multiple periods (e.g. 2-5). If the chosen window size is too wide
it may include more than one arrival and the less coherent signal of
both arrivals may not be detected.
UTIME_STEP 200µs This defines the step length of the time processing window
(TIME_WINDOW) in µs. The smaller the value, the finer the scanning
process and the longer the processing time. Initally, a step length of
approximately five times the waveform sampling rate is a good value
to begin with.
CONSTRAINT No This option should only be required for processing very poor monopole
data.
Changing this field to Yes, will enable you to enter more constraints for
picking coherence events.
Constraints based on the input slowness range (SLOWNESS_FROM
and SLOWNESS_TO) will be automatically calculated creating cutoff
values to validate the picked coherence events.
UTIME_DT 850 This parameter is only displayed when Constraint is set to Yes.
Enter an estimate of a P-wave arrival time.
UTIME_DTSM 1200 This parameter is only displayed when Constraint is set to Yes.
Enter an estimate of a S-wave arrival time.
DT-EST 300 This parameter is only displayed when Constraint is set to Yes.
Enter an estimate for P-wave slowness.
DTSM_EST 450 This parameter is only displayed when Constrain is set to Yes.
Enter an estimate for S-wave slowness.
ERROR 30 Enter the error allowed for the estimated inputs as a percentage, to
cover a valid range in certain arrivals in the time and slowness axis.

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Table 4-1: tp_array_sonic_process Module Parameters (Continued)
Parameter Name Default Description
NUM_R 4 Enter the number of receivers of the subarray to be used. If this field is
left blank, all the receiver arrays will be used.
MEAN_OPT Yes Option to automatically remove the mean value before processing; not
necessary if using the output logs from the “Time-Average Filter” on
page 3-3 module.
AVERAGE_OPT Yes Option to automatically remove background low frequency components
before processing; not necessary if using the output logs from the
“Time-Average Filter” on page 3-3 module.
UTIME_AVG 520 Specify the average window length.
Not available unless AVERAGE_OPT is set to "Yes".
SLOWNESS_FROM 30.48 s/ft Defines the slowness range and increment for processing. The slowness
(100 s/m) lower and upper limits should be setup to enclose the desired wave
SLOWNESS_TO 457.21 s/ft mode(s). Standard log presentation slowness ranges can be used (e.g.
(1500 s/m) 40-240 s/ft, 100-800 s/m), which will make it later easier to overlay
the computed slowness logs on the projection log.
SLOWNESS_STEP 3.048 s/ft With the SLOWNESS_STEP parameter the resolution of the computed
(10 s/m) slowness can be defined. Usually increments of 1-4 s/ft (3-12 s/m) are
used. The step length controls the array size of the output Projection
log.
The used slowness parameters are saved as set constants in the output
set.
LOG_IN
Enter, or click on the Log Select icon, to select the required
log(s) to process.
PROJECTION_R PROJECTION_R Only applicable when Method is set to Receiver.
Output slowness projection log for receiver array.
SEMBLANCE_R SEMBLANCE_R Only applicable when Method is set to Receiver.
Output semblance log for receiver array.
PROJECTION_T PROJECTION_T Only applicable when Method is set to Transmitter.
Output slowness projection log for transmitter array.
SEMBLANCE_T SEMBLANCE_T Only applicable when Method is set to Transmitter.
Output semblance log for transmitter array.

Examples

See Fig. 2 for an example of the results of Semblance Processing of monopole waveforms and Fig. 3 for the
processing of cross-dipole waveforms.

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 Fig. 2: Monopole slowness projection log shows strong coherence bands for Compressional,
Shear and Stonely waves

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 Fig. 3: Semblance Processing results for cross-dipole inline XX

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 Picking (Label Arrivals)

The Picking module searches for the most coherent position in the Projection log within a user defined
slowness range to identify the desired wave mode. It starts from the top of the Projection log and traces the
identified coherence peak downhole and picks Compressional, Shear and Stoneley arrivals based on given
seed values at the top or guided logs.
The module allows interval processing, so various seed and slowness window values can be applied for
different intervals. This can be useful if significant slowness variations are present in the logged interval.
The Projection log can have multiple coherence maxima due to arrivals of different wave modes (e.g. casing,
Compressional, Shear and Stoneley arrivals in monopole data), so the slowness range of the desired wave
mode to be picked has to be specified. This is done by defining a 'Seed' value and a 'Slowness Window'. The
'Seed' value should correspond approximately to the slowness value of the wave mode at the top of the
Projection log. If a general slowness value is known for the formation it can be used as 'Seed' value.
Otherwise the 'Seed' value can be estimated by using the Array Sonic View window as detailed in
"Estimating Seed Value from Projection Log" on page 4-16.
A seed (estimation) for an arrival’s slowness at the start processing depth is required to perform automatic
picking. This seed will then be automatically updated at each depth. Both P-wave and S-wave arrivals can
be picked at the same time, along with the P-S wave ratio and Poisson’s Ratio. The P-S wave and Poisson’s
ratios are good indications of the processing quality. The P-S wave ratio can also be used as an optional
constraint in the module to force the output readings within a reasonable value range.

To use the Picking module

1. Create the slowness log using the "Processing" on page 4-3 module and display it in an “Image”
on page 2-73 track.
2. Select Petrophysics > Full Waveform Sonic > Processing > Picking to display the
tp_array_sonic_label module.
3. Specify the Input Set.
4. If required, change the Output Set.
5. Set the values for the parameters as described in Table 4-2, "tp_array_sonic_label Module
Parameters" on page 4-10.

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 The tp_array_sonic_label Module

Table 4-2: tp_array_sonic_label Module Parameters

Parameter Name Default Description
PICK_OPTION SINGLE Select SINGLE to pick a P-wave; BOTH to pick both waves.
In the case of a dipole waveform, there is only compressional data,
therefore SINGLE should be used for PICK_OPTION.
Where waveforms consist of compressional and shear data, BOTH
should be used for PICK_OPTION.
CONSTRAINT No Only applicable if PICK_OPTION is set to BOTH.
Should the slowness picking be constrained by a minimum P-wave
and S-wave ratio?
RATIO 1.3 Only applicable if CONSTRAINT is set to Yes.
Enter the minimum P-wave and S-wave ratio so that picks do not
overlay.

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Table 4-2: tp_array_sonic_label Module Parameters
Parameter Name Default Description
USE_SEED Yes This field is used as a switch for using a Seed as detailed in
"Estimating Seed Value from Projection Log" on page 4-16 or a
continuous Seed Log.
USE_RANGE No This option allows users to define a minimum and maximum range
for an arrival:
• SLOWNESS_MIN1 and SLOWNESS_MAX1 for the first
selected arrival
• SLOWNESS_MIN2 and SLOWNESS_MAX2 for the second
selected arrival
As a result the search range is limited by the user-defined range.
When this option is set to Yes, SLOWNESS_WINDOW will be
disabled.
Note: It is assumed that the first arrival always comes before the
second.
SLOWNESS_FROM The values used when the "Processing" on page 4-3 module was run
SLOWNESS_TO will be displayed and should be used to pick the seed.

SLOWNESS_STEP
SLOWNESS_MIN1 User-defined minimum searching slowness for the first arrival.
SLOWNESS_MAX1 User-defined maximum searching slowness for the first arrival.
SLOWNESS_MIN2 User-defined minimum searching slowness for the second arrival.
SLOWNESS_MAX2 User-defined maximum searching slowness for the second arrival.
SLOWNESS_WINDOW 30.48 s/ft The searching window length. The seed (SLOWNESS_S1,
(100 s/m) SLOWNESS_S2) value will be the mid-point of this width to
determine the search range for the maximum coherent point.
CUTOFF 0% Enter the picking cutoff value as a percentage so the output picked
slowness will be assigned missings for these zones where the value
of coherent energy less than the cutoff. The default value, zero
means no cutoff is applied.
DT_SEED1 In the case of a dipole waveform, there is only compressional data,
therefore SINGLE should be used for PICK_OPTION. The seed
(DT_SEED1) represents the current arrival to use.
Where waveforms consist of compressional and shear data, BOTH
should be used for PICK_OPTION. The seed represents the
compressional data location; a seed value for DT_SEED2 is then
required for the shear data location.
See "Estimating Seed Value from Projection Log" on page 4-16 to
determine an approximate value for the seed location as follows.
DT_SEED2 See DT_SEED1 above; estimate the second band.
Not available unless PICK_OPTION is set to BOTH.
SLOWNESS_S1 First slowness guide log. A guide log can be any log that tracks near
enough to the given (Compressional, Shear, Stoneley) coherence
band in which the window (SLOWNESS_WINDOW) will find the
maximum energy. Often a guide log is provided by the vendor.

The log name entered must be a standard log name, identified in the
“Loginfo Files” on page 5-11 with the appropriate units (e.g.
slowness_s). See "Interactive Picking" on page 4-14 for an example
of using a guide log.

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Table 4-2: tp_array_sonic_label Module Parameters
Parameter Name Default Description
SLOWNESS_S2 Second slowness guide log. See SLOWNESS_S2 above.
PROJECTION PROJECTION If required, enter or select the name of the output log calculated
from "Processing" on page 4-3.
DT_PICK1 DT_PICK1 If required, enter or select the name of the output log. If BOTH is
specified for PICK_OPTION, this log will be the output
compressional slowness log.
DT_PICK2 DT_PICK2 If required, enter or select the name of the output shear
slowness log.
Not available unless PICK_OPTION is set to BOTH.
COHERENCE_P1 COHERENCE_P1 Output coherence indicator for first picked log.
COHERENCE_P2 COHERENCE_P2 Output coherence indicator for second picked log.
POIS POIS If required, enter or select the name of the output log.
VPVS VPVS Not available unless PICK_OPTION is set to BOTH.

For examples, see:

Fig. 4 – monopole - automatically picked Compression, Shear and Stoneley waves
Fig. 5 – dipole - automatically picked Shear wave
Fig. 6 – an example of manual (interactive) picking

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 Fig. 4: Monopole automatic picking results

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 Fig. 5: Example of automatic Dipole picking

Interactive Picking
The automatic picking method works well in relatively good data but not as well when signal-to-noise ratio
is low and the structure of the formation is complex. Interactive picking may be performed by the user to
allow a subjective decision for complicated situations.
The manually picked log is selected as the slowness guide log in the "Picking (Label Arrivals)" on page 4-9
module, and is then used to guide the automatic picking process to create the output log ( for example,
DT_PICK1 or DT_PICK2).

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 Automatically Manually edit log Re-picked based
picked log. (guide log) using on the guide log.
Curve Insert

Fig. 6: Using Curve Insert to manually edit log to use as a guide log

Example Procedure
1. The well is saved to ensure a new log version is generated.
2. The automatically picked Shear wave (in this example, DT_PICK2) log is not very good in some
places, so select this for interactive picking.
3. Select Well > View > New > Text, duplicate DT_PICK2 and rename the duplicate log to
DT_PICK2_GUIDE.

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 4. Tools > “Edit Wireline Log” on page 3-27 is selected and the curve adjusted to approximate
the position of the wave.
5. DT_PICK2_GUIDE is entered for the SLOWNESS_S2 parameter of the "Picking (Label
Arrivals)" on page 4-9 module.
6. The "Picking (Label Arrivals)" on page 4-9 module is run to produce the Shear wave log,
DT_PICK2_2. See Fig. 6 for an example.

Estimating Seed Value from Projection Log

Estimating the seed value from a Projection log for automatic picking.

To estimate seed value from a projection log

1. Display the projection log in an “Image” on page 2-73 track.
2. Open the “Array Data Viewer” on page 8-1 window with this track.
3. Within the Array Sonic View window, move the mouse cursor to the peak of interest on the
SIGNAL Display Area. The x value of the mouse position will be displayed on the status bar in
the position dialog box. This value is the slowness reading from the graph, which can be used
as the seed value.

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Index

C
coherent band 3

D
description of
seed 9

P
P/S waves
automatically picking 9
manually picking 14
picking
P/S waves automatically 9
P/S waves manually 14

S
seed, description of 9
slowness projection log 2

W
waveforms
method of recording 2

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