CHINA PETROLEUM EXPLORATION

Volume 21, Issue 3, May 2016

Technology of variable slip time sweep and low-frequency energy

compensation with vibroseis operation
Zhao Diandong1, Hu Lixin1, Song Guiqiao2, Han Wengong1
1. Sinopec Petroleum Engineering Geophysical Co., LTD;
2. Sinopec Oilfield Exploration and Development Division

Abstract: Vibroseis is widely valued and applied by the industry due to its safety, environmental friendliness, and controllable
frequency and energy. This paper presents a target-oriented, high-quality, and efficient seismic exploration method; namely, vari-
able slip time sweep (VSTS) and low-frequency energy compensation broadband exploration technology. Due to the unique con-
ditions of an exploration area, with its large-span buried target formation depth and complex geological structure and surface, a
well-designed distribution and method for vibroseis operation, a system based on noise interference between vibroseises and sur-
face conditions for the purpose of creating high-quality reflection data imaging, were put forward. As a result, high-quality and
efficient operations with vibroseis have been achieved. Favorable results have been obtained after its application in complex geo-
logical targets in multiple basins in West China.
Key words: vibroseis, variable slip time sweep (VSTS), low-frequency energy compensation, slip sweep, sweep signal

The commonly-used efficient vibroseis acquisition
methods in China and abroad include Flip-Flop Sweep, Slip
Sweep, Distance Separated Simultaneous Sweeping (DSSS),
and Distance Separated Simultaneous Slip Sweep
(DSSSS)[14]. The DSSS and DSSSS methods are the most
efficient. Normally, the relationship between the vibroseis
group interval and the sweep interval time is calculated
from the direct wave velocity of homogeneous bedded me-
dia and two-way time. The operation efficiency can be im-
proved by reducing the sweep interval time of the vibroseis
group and the vibroseis automatic control and dynamic
management. These methods are generally used in explo-
ration blocks with shallower target formation, simpler
structure, and larger oversea area. For exploration blocks in
West China with a large-span buried target formation depth,
complex structures, and a small area, these methods may
increase the complexity of interference in vibroseis groups
and restrict high-efficiency operation with vibroseis.
Meanwhile, for complex geological targets like deep areas,
broadband exploration using rich low frequency information
is needed[5]. According to the special conditions of explora-
tion in the western area, this paper presents the technology
of variable slip time sweep (VSTS) and low-frequency en-
ergy compensation, which can improve the operation effi-
ciency of field acquisition by improving vibroseis and seis-
mic data quality.
1. Variable slip time sweep method
According to the large-span buried target formation depth
and complex geological structures, and considering the re-
flection data quality and noise interference between vibro-
seises, the relationship between vibroseis group intervals at
different structural locations and sweep (shooting) time dif-
ferences Δt can be calculated by using vibroseis shooting
model forward modeling[68]. Then, the interval time differ-
ence (slip time), Δtn, successively swept by each group of
vibroseises at the operation’s surface can be obtained (n
represents the sweep sequence of vibroseis groups, Δtn
shows the time difference between the n-1 time of sweep
and the n time of sweep, also called slip time). The slip
sweep of automatic control and dynamic management of
vibroseis using seismic instruments and the Δtn time differ-
ence as slip time is called the Variable Slip Time Sweep
(VSTS) operation method[910]. Fig.1 implies the operation
sequence of vibroseis, namely, the slip times Δt from n+1 to
n+8 are respectively 0 s, 12 s, 0 s, 12 s, 0 s, 12 s, 12 s, and 8
s. For example, during the efficient vibroseis acquisition in
the HSD area, Δt is determined by the geological and geo-
physical parameters of different structural locations, and vi-
broseis group intervals are obtained by forward modeling
calculations. Thus, vibroseis acquisition varies with vibro-
seis group intervals and structural location. Through analy-
sis of the noise interference intensity and ranges between
vibroseis groups necessary to avoid disturbing target forma-
tions (Fig.2), the slip time relationship between the source
group interval and the slip time at different structural loca-
tions is defined (Table 1). The matching rule between vi-
broseis group intervals and slip time is formed; namely,
when the distance is short and there is great interference, the

Received date: 20 Feb. 2016; Revised date: 21 Apr. 2016.

Corresponding author. E-mail: zhaodd@sinopec.com.
Foundation item: Sinopec S&T Research Project “Study on Key Technologies for Efficient Seismic Exploration with Vibroseis” (JP13031) and “Study on Key Tech-
nologies for Low-frequency Seismic Exploration with Vibroseis” (JP14001).
Copyright © 2016, Petroleum Industry Press, PetroChina. All rights reserved.
 2 CHINA PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
Fig. 1 Operation method of vibroseis variable slip time sweep
Fig. 2 Forward modeling record of simultaneous sweep be-
tween different source group intervals at a structure location
(Δt=0)
slip time is longer; and when the distance is long and there
is little interference, the slip time is shorter[1113].
Fig. 3 Efficient operation method of vibroseis variable slip time sweep in the HSD area
2. Low-frequency energy compensation tech-
nology
Low-frequency energy compensation technology is a
broadband sweep signal designing technology that can
compensate for the low-frequency vibration energy. Com-
pared with high-frequency vibration, the vibroseis
low-frequency vibration needs a larger throw of piston mo-
tion, which is constrained by multiple factors like mechani-
Vol. 21, No. 3, 2016
Table 1 Source group interval and slip time of a structural
location in the HSD area
Group interval of vibroseis/m Slip time/s
0200 24 (alternative)
2011000 16
10014000 12
40018000 10
800112000 8
12000 0 (simultaneous)
The VSTS method is an efficient vibroseis operation
method oriented at the geological target. The super spread
recording is established according to the matching rule be-
tween the vibroseis group interval and slip time. Once the
vibroseis reaches the shooting point, the seismic instruments
will immediately include this source into the vibroseis “task
sequence”, and give priority to trigger the “task sequence”
with the shortest slip time. As a result, efficient variable slip
time sweep operations are realized by using seismic instru-
ments to conduct automatic control and dynamic manage-
ment of vibroseis (Fig.3, the slip time is respectively 0 s, 12
s, 0 s, 12 s, 16 s, 24 s and 0 s). Using forward modeling to
calculate the relationship between vibroseis group intervals
and slip time can guarantee good seismic acquisition quality
in exploration areas with complex geological structures. The
application of this efficient acquisition method in deployed
blocks with small areas is done by controlling slip time.
cal structure and the delivery capacity of hydraulic oil. The
starting sweep frequency of a conventional vibroseis full
drive is 7 Hz. As a full drive cannot be reached with a fre-
quency of less than 10 Hz during operation, the low-fre-
quency energy of the seismic wave is reduced.
2.1. Design method of sweep signal of low-frequency
energy compensation
The workflow of a low-frequency energy compensation
sweep signal is showed in Fig.4. According to the limitation
 Zhao Diandong et al., Technology of variable slip time sweep and low-frequency energy compensation with vibroseis operation 3

thickness; and v is the corresponding formation velocity.

As for the upsweep signal, using the relationship between
A(f) and the compensation sweep time, get the compensa-
tion sweep time corresponding with each instantaneous fre-
quency and redistribute the sweep time of the sweep signal.
Then, obtain t(f), a new relationship between the nonlinear
sweep time and the instantaneous frequency. Thereby, by
reducing sweep rate and increasing sweep time duration to
compensate for the vibration energy at low frequency f, the
obtained sweep signal energy can reach equilibrium at each
frequency.
Conduct an inverse transformation for time function t(f)
to get the frequency function f(t) after low-frequency energy
compensation, and then obtain A(t) by transforming A(f) to a
time domain. Finally, obtain the instantaneous phase of the
sweep signal and the vibroseis sine sweep signal according
Fig. 4 Workflow of low-frequency energy compensation to the function f(t) in frequency domain:
sweep signal Instantaneous phase:
t

curve of a vibroseis counterweight displacement (or stroke)   t   2  f  t  dt (3)

and the hydraulic flow in a vibration frequency-output do- 0

main in Fig.5, the output function curve AF(f) is designed to Sweep signal:
meet the requirements of both the mechanical stroke and the S (t )  A(t )  sin[ (t )] (4)
hydraulic flow. Vibroseis maximum output, Fmax, divided by
2.2. Analysis of designing sweep signal
AF(f) is function A(f) in frequency domain:
A(f)= AF(f)/Fmax (1) Fig.6 shows the curve section between 012 s of a con-
ventional sweep signal of 784 Hz and a nonlinear
low-frequency energy compensation sweep signal of 2-84
Hz. It indicates that the average changing rate of the sweep
frequency of the former is 2.96 Hz/s, which is about 3.9
times that of the latter’s 0.768 Hz/s. By conducting fre-
quency spectrum analysis on the sweep signals (Fig.7), we

Fig. 5 Vibroseis stroke and hydraulic flow curve

As for the mode of vibroseis upsweep, the sweep starting

frequency and end frequency can be determined according
to the geological target’s seismic data resolution require-
ments. Together, the two determine the frequency band-
width of the sweep signal, which affects the seismic wave
resolution. Select an ideal sweep end signal according to
Formula (2), where generally, sweep bandwidth should be
larger than 2.5 octaves[14].
v
b  1.43 (2)
4d Fig. 6 Conventional sweep signal of 7-84 Hz (lower) and
where d is minimum formation thickness; b is sweep end nonlinear low-frequency energy compensation sweep signal of
frequency required to distinguish minimum formation 2-84 Hz (upper)
 4 CHINA PETROLEUM EXPLORATION Vol. 21, No. 3, 2016

Fig. 7 Spectrogram of different sweep signals (left) and spectrogram of enlarged low-frequency section (right)

can see that for a conventional sweep signal of 784 Hz, the times that of conventional operation methods. Harmonic
full energy frequency range is 1080 Hz, the absolute band- suppression and high-precision imaging processing tech-
width is 70 Hz, and the relative bandwidth is 3 octaves; for nology was applied[1517]. According to the contrast between
a nonlinear low-frequency energy compensation sweep sig- imaging sections of pre-stack time migration using conven-
nal of 284 Hz, the full energy frequency range is 2.780 tional vibroseis technology and using variable slip time
Hz, the absolute bandwidth is 77.3 Hz, and the relative sweep and harmonic suppression technology, the data
bandwidth is almost 5 octaves. Compared with a conven-
tional sweep signal, the latter extends 7.3 Hz lower in terms
of frequency, about 2 octaves. The effective extending of the
low-frequency energy compensation sweep signal towards a
low frequency has broadened the bandwidth and increased
the number of available octaves, which contributes to im-
proving both the ground penetrating energy of seismic
waves and exploration efforts towards deeper targets, and it
provides more reliable amplitude inversion data to improve
the resolution of the target formation.

3. Application examples

3.1. Application effect in piedmont structural zone at

the northern margin of the Junggar Basin Fig. 8 Imaging section of conventional vibroseis pre-stack
time migration
The piedmont structural zone at the northern margin of
the Junggar Basin is complex in structure, with a superim-
posed thrust overriding structure and velocity reverse phe-
nomenon. Vertically, there are three levels, including a
shallow super denudation zone, a thrust system, and a
parautochthonous system, mainly developed in the Creta-
ceous, Jurassic, Triassic, and Carboniferous. With a
large-span buried depth of exploration targets (t0=0.55 s),
the complex structures block accurate exploration of geo-
logical targets in the shallow, middle, and deep strata. The
employment of efficient vibroseis VSTS technology al-
lowed for high-precision 3D observation data acquisition
with an improved shot point density and a remarkably im-
proved operation efficiency with a maximum of 13007 per
day and 718 per hour. The average daily operation shot Fig. 9 Imaging section of pre-stack time migration using
numbers and shot point area were respectively 12 and 3 variable slip time sweep and harmonic suppression technology
 Zhao Diandong et al., Technology of variable slip time sweep and low-frequency energy compensation with vibroseis operation 5

acquired from the variable slip time sweep technology has a

wholly better imaging quality, and it has obvious advantages
in imaging shallow super denudation zones, complex struc-
ture areas, and deep parautochthonous systems.
The application of seismic acquisition data from efficient
vibroseis VSTS technology in geological interpretations al-
lowed for the obtainment of new understandings in data re-
search, the ascertainment of the hydrocarbon accumulation
mode of a “multi-fault” combination of overriding zones,
and a confirmation of both the development of source rock
under the overriding system and the presence of oil-bearing
in multiple units and layer systems. The reserves scale in-
creased due to new controlled and possible oil reserves to-
talling 1.24×108 t. Significant hydrocarbon discoveries
have been made in the Permian of the overriding system of
Well HS2, with recorded possible oil reserves of
1517.83×104 t.

3.2. Application effect in the great desert of Tarim Basin

Located in the southwest of the Taklimakan Desert, the
PS work area is in the Makit slope zone of the southwestern
depression in the Tarim Basin. The relative relief of the sur-
face desert is generally around 15 m and can locally vary to
30 m. With the exploration target buried at a depth above
6000 m, this area has complex formation changes that de-
veloped with the vertical fault and the volcanic rock, and as
a result, this area has low seismic data resolution, which re-
sulted in difficulty when trying to predict the location
of structures and reservoirs in periphery of the volcanic
rock.
The PS 3D area shot by vibroseis and the neighboring YZ
3D well-shot area are both in the Makit slope zone. Due to Fig. 10 Attributes correlation between vibroseis in the PS
its surface desert with a large relief, the PS 3D area has area (lower) and 3D well-shot observation in the YZ area (up-
more complex structures, a higher buried depth, and a lower per)
single shot SNR (signal to noise ratio). However, by apply-
3.3. Application effect in the eastern margin of Jung-
ing vibroseis low-frequency energy compensation technol-
gar Basin
ogy in the PS 3D area, besides broadening seismic signal
bandwidth, it has also bolstered data acquisition with The MC1J area, located in the Mulei sag in the eastern
high-density, high-fold, and wide-azimuth observation. Its margin of the Junggar Basin and in the complex structure
observation system is more uniform (Fig.10). By comparing zone in front of the Bogda Mountain, has faults with a large
the new 3D section made with vibroseis in the PS area and buried target formation depth, a large dip, and a complex
the old 3D section with the well-shot in the YZ area (Fig.11) wave field. The stacked section image quality obtained by
prepared with the high-precision 3D imaging technology, it employing vibroseis with a 784 Hz linear sweep signal
was found that the former displays far better section resolu- (Fig.14) is poor. By using a geological target oriented
tions and SNR, with the bandwidth of the major target for- low-frequency energy compensation broadband sweep sig-
mation broadened by 14 Hz (Fig.12), the collection of richer nal technology and applying vibroseis with a 484 Hz linear
interlayer information, and the more obvious depiction of low-frequency energy compensation sweep signal, the ob-
reflection features all reinforcing the superiority of the vi- tained stacked section image has been largely improved in
broseis method. The new section also presents a better de- overall quality and SNR with obvious wave group features
piction of igneous rock intrusive bodies (Fig.13). and distinct fault points (Fig.15) made clear. In particular,
 6 CHINA PETROLEUM EXPLORATION Vol. 21, No. 3, 2016

Fig. 11 Pre-stack time migration imaging section of 3D vibroseis in the PS area (right) and 3D well-shot in the YZ area (left)

ing vibroseis with a 284 Hz nonlinear low-frequency en-

ergy compensation sweep signal in the sand dune area,
the obtained stacked section image largely improved in
quality. Especially after applying a vibroseis low-frequency
energy compensation sweep signal, the low-frequency in-
formation on the stacked section of the new certain line data
using an 8 Hz low-pass filter is richer than that of the old
data.

Fig. 12 Seismic section spectrogram of 3D vibroseis in the PS

area and 3D well-shot in the YZ area

Fig. 14 Stacked section of old data with vobroseis operation

in the MC1J area

Fig. 13 Time slice (4s) of 3D pre-stack time migration with

vibroseis operation in the PS area

the deep Carboneferous reflection information obviously

improved after utilizing vibroseis low-frequency energy
compensation.

3.4. Application effect in the Weiwu-Dunwang Basin

Located in the northern depression of the Weiwu Basin,
the EMH area has low amounts of available SNR data un- Fig. 15 Stacked section of new data with vibroseis operation
der the Mesozoic and an unclear faulting system. By us- in the MC1J area
 Zhao Diandong et al., Technology of variable slip time sweep and low-frequency energy compensation with vibroseis operation 7

Located in the west of the Dunhuang Basin, the QT area

Fig. 16 Stacked section of new data of certain line with 8 Hz
low-pass filter in the EMH area
is dominated by gobi on the surface. Line A was acquired
with a vibroseis linear sweep 2D operation method, with a
starting and ending frequency of 764 Hz, a sweep length of
12 s, and vibrations that occurred 10 times with 4 stations,
60 fold. The old section of Line A (Fig.18) is shown as cha-
otic reflection and unclear basements in the lower Jurassic.
Operated 4 km south from Line A, Line B was acquired by
using vibroseis with a 284 Hz nonlinear low-frequency
energy compensation sweep signal, with a sweep length of
26 s and vibrations that occurred 1 time with 3 stations. The
newly obtained 2D section has been largely improved in
terms of overall quality (Fig.19). In Fig.20, it can be seen
that the favorable bandwidth of the new section is 2-68 Hz,
a bandwidth broadened by 34 Hz, with richer low-frequency
information.

4. Conclusions and expectations

1) The vibroseis VSTS method requires successively

Fig. 17 Stacked section of old data of certain line with 8 Hz
low-pass filter in the EMH area
sweeping the location of each group of vibroseis in time on
the operation’s surface while also accounting for the interval
time difference (slip time). It integrates the advantages of
flip-flop sweep, slip sweep, distance separated simultaneous
sweeping, and distance separated simultaneous slip sweep.
By using the vibroseis model forward modeling to calculate
slip time and through vibroseis automatic dynamic man-
agement, efficient seismic acquisition has been realized.
2) The vibroseis VSTS method is a high-quality, efficient

Fig. 18 Stacked section of old data of line A in the QT area

Fig. 19 Stacked section of new data of line B in the QT area

 8 CHINA PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
Fig. 20 Spectral curves of stacked section of new and old data
in the QT area
seismic acquisition method oriented at a geological target. It
is more flexible and adaptive, as it can ensure efficient
seismic acquisition in exploration blocks with a large-span
buried depth, complex structures, and a small deployed area.
This method has achieved remarkable results in its applica-
tion in western areas with complex geological targets.
3) The low-frequency energy compensation sweep signal
technology enhances the ability to carry out low-frequency
exploration with conventional vibroseis, and helps to boost
the economic effect and social effect of conventional vibro-
seis while also making high-precision seismic exploration
possible.
4) It can be used to design a safe and high-quality vibro-
seis sweep operation method oriented at surface buildings in
complex areas like cities and towns due to its controllable
output and sweep frequency, which allow it to create safe
vibrations.
5) Compared with dynamite, vibrosies have a low shoot-
ing energy loss and an especially high ratio of converted
seismic wave energy to economic features. By improving
shot point density and innovating real high-density observa-
tion, vibrosies can improve imaging quality and realize
high-precision seismic exploration.
The vibroseis sweep operation is a safe, environmen-
tally-friendly, economically affordable, high-quality, and ef-
ficient method. With the development of vibroseis technol-
ogy, acquisition with high-density, high-fold, broadband,
and wide-azimuth observation is made possible. During the
process of oilfield exploration, vibroseis VSTS and
low-frequency energy compensation technology will cer-
tainly be applied more extensively.
Acknowledgements
We thank Zhao Guoyong, Zhang Jian, Sun Xinyu, and Yin
Vol. 21, No. 3, 2016
Zhiheng from the Sinopec Shengli Geophysical Company
for their support and help in map editing and translation.
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