Converting scanned images of seismic reflection data into SEG-Y format

Abstract

Archives across the world contain vast amounts of old or Bvintage^seismic reflection data, which are largely inaccessible for geo-scientific research, due to the out-dated media on which they are stored. Despite the age of these data, they often have great potential to be of use in modern day research. It is often the case that seismic reflection data within these archives are only available as a processed stacked section, printed on paper or film. In this study, a method for the conversion (vectorization) of scanned images of stacked reflection seismic data to standard SEG-Y format is presented. The method addresses data displayed with a line denoting the waveform, where areas on one side of the baseline are shaded (i.e. wiggle trace, variable fill). The method provides an improvement on other published methods utilized within currently available academic software. Unlike previous studies, the method used to detect trace baselines and to detect and remove timelines on the seismic image is described in detail. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis of the performance of the method is presented, showing that an average trace-to-trace correlation coefficient of between 0.8 and 0.95 can be achieved for typical plotting styles. Finally, a case study where the method is applied to vectorize over 1700 km of land seismic data from the island of Gotland (Sweden) is presented.

Revitalizing vintage seismic reflection profiles by converting into SEG-Y format: case studies from publicly available data on the Italian territory

“…To obtain digital data from public raster underground datasets for the necessities of the geo-research community, the SISMOLAB-3D adopted a program called WIGGLE2SEGY for the vectorization of raster seismic reflection profiles into standard SEG-Y format. WIGGLE2SEGY is a MATLAB-based tool developed by Sopher [2018].…”

“…The approach adopted in WIGGLE2SEGY includes various input parameters and vectorization modes. The reader should refer to Sopher [2018] for details about the conceptual procedure adopted in WIGGLE2SEGY.…”

Evaluation of the subsurface compressed air energy storage (CAES) potential on Gotland, Sweden

“…Initially, the majority of the seismic reflection data from Gotland were only available as scanned images (TIFF files) of the final stacked data, which made the data difficult to fully utilize and interpret. Therefore, it was necessary to convert these data to SEGY format (vectorize) before they could be imported into modern seismic interpretation software (Sopher 2017). Similarly, much of the geophysical well log data was digitized by hand, so that the data could be plotted and used to calculate synthetic seismograms.…”

Geophysical well log-motifs, lithology, stratigraphical aspects and correlation of the Ordovician succession in the Swedish part of the Baltic Basin

“…Here reflections associated with the top and base of the Ordovician and the O d interval can clearly be correlated across the section. As part of on-going efforts to digitize and interpret the OPAB seismic reflection data from Gotland (Sopher 2017;Levendal et al 2019), it is clear some systematic differences in the seismic response exist across the island. For example, the reflection from the base of the Ordovician is typically more pronounced in the northwest parts of Gotland where the Faludden Sandstone is thin or missing.…”