Pattern Recognition and Tomography Using Crosswell Acoustic Data

Abstract

ABSTRACT Measurements of the travel time of acoustic signals transmitted between wells at the Department of Energy Multi-Well Experiment site (MWX) near Rifle, Colorado, are processed and analyzed. Interpretations relevant to sand geometry and continuity have proved possible through inspection of the signal travel time plotted against the coordinates of transmitter and receiver wellbore positions, or against the depth of receiver and ray path inclination. The continuity of several sands between wells is corroborated. A major lenticular sand terminating between wells could be inferred. To explore the possible distortions in tomographic images derived from crosswell data, synthetic tomographs are constructed from computed travel times of signals transmitted through idealized models from stratigraphy thought to be present at the MWX site. The synthetic tomographs, although preserving the general character of the model stratigraphy, are distorted enough that detailed interpretations are not possible. Horizontal distortions predominate in reconstructions of flat-lying stratigraphy.