A COMPUTER ORIENTED VELOCITY ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION TECHNIQUE

Abstract

Extensive velocity analysis interpretation can impose a substantial man‐hour cost. A computer‐implemented technique is described which edits the velocity analysis data, thereby reducing the interpreter’s task. The technique uses graph theory to simulate the complex decision‐making inherent in the interpreter’s method of velocity analysis interpretation. The heart of the technique lies in defining a distance measure between candidate time‐velocity points from the velocity analysis. This metric is a function of the specific and potentially complex constraints imposed by the interpreter and of the weighted separation of the points. The graph theoretic techniques employed use the metric to join and, hence, select appropriate points from the candidate points while rejecting those which are invalid. Additional editing, based in part on implied interval velocities, further reduces the bulk of data presented to the interpreter. The method makes efficient use of computer time and has yielded encouraging results, as demonstrated by examples.