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Automatic arrival picking for microseismic signals based on variational mode decomposition and Akaike information
Chunlu Wang1,2, Yanqing Fan1,2, Renjie He1,2
1College of Instrumentation and Electrical Engineering, Jilin University, Changchun 130026, China.
The Review of Scientific Instruments
|April 18, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a new method using variational mode decomposition (VMD) and Akaike information criterion (AIC) for accurate microseismic (MS) arrival picking. The technique effectively separates signals from noise, improving analysis for hydraulic fracturing and geological disaster prediction.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics
- Seismology
- Signal Processing
Background:
- Microseismic (MS) monitoring is crucial for understanding underground reservoir changes, guiding hydraulic fracturing, and predicting geological disasters.
- Surface MS monitoring is challenged by complex environments, leading to noisy signals that hinder accurate arrival picking.
- Effective signal extraction and arrival identification are fundamental for subsequent seismic data analysis, including positioning and inversion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel automatic arrival picking method for microseismic signals.
- To address the challenge of signal-to-noise separation when the frequency distribution of effective MS signals is unknown.
- To enhance the accuracy and robustness of microseismic event detection in noisy environments.
Main Methods:
- Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) to decompose seismic signals into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs).
- Combined use of Pearson correlation coefficient (CC) and peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) to identify effective signal components.
- Reconstruction of the signal and application of the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) for automatic arrival time picking.
Main Results:
- The proposed VMD-AIC method accurately distinguishes effective microseismic signals from noise in synthetic tests.
- The method demonstrates superior robustness against noise compared to existing arrival picking techniques.
- Field data from shale gas well fracturing in Sichuan Province validates the method's practical advantages and potential.
Conclusions:
- The developed VMD-AIC method offers a robust and accurate solution for microseismic signal arrival picking.
- This technique has significant potential for improving the analysis of microseismic data in challenging environments.
- The findings support the application of advanced signal processing for enhanced reservoir monitoring and hazard assessment.
