Anastasia Galaktionova, Assistant at the NSU Applied Mathematics Section (AMS) in the Mechanics and Mathematics Department (MMD), announced that Novosibirsk State University has received a joint patent with the Saudi Arabian Oil Group (Saudi Aramco) for a seismic data processing algorithm. The algorithm will make it possible to more quickly and accurately interpret data for forecasting mineral deposits and may be of interest to oil and gas companies.
Galaktionova explained that the processing of seismic survey data is carried out using non-linear beam seismic tomography. A specialized observation system registers ground vibration after a series of explosions and different rocks and environmental conditions correspond to specific wave propagation speeds. Based on this data, geophysicists determine the structure of the earth in a certain area and draw conclusions about the presence of minerals there. To improve the quality of the processed data, tomography can be used to build a model of the environment. To build a model, scientists select the most suitable environmental conditions depending on the speed of the waves. This process takes place in several iterations. The patented algorithm makes it possible to achieve the goal in one iteration.
The algorithm was developed together with Aramco Overseas Company, a subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, that creates software for the oil company. Galaktionova worked with Andrey Belonosov, Candidate of Physical and Mathematical Sciences and Associate Professor at NSU’s MMD AMS, in the development of the technology. The algorithm was tested at a partner company and performed well in comparison with the methods currently being used.
Alexander Kvashnin, Director of the NSU Center for Technology Transfer and Commercialization, said the international patent and patent cooperation with an oil company will allow the university to commercialize the technology and have the right to apply the method around the world for a period of 31 years.
