Seismatters

A bit of a slow period lately.

A bit more work on VAPSDB3, it can now produce a surface velocity map. It is experimental at this stage and will require validation, but the results look believable. Of course this is only one piece of the puzzle, we also need the depth that corresponds to the calculated velocity. I can probably derive that by analysis of GF data. I did some work on that a few years ago.

Just need some data and some time and some motivation.

I also wrote some experimental software to convert INOVA VibPro VM files to the VAPS format so they can be loaded into VAPSDB3.

The VM files have some shortcomings, not the least being documentation, but the code seems to work. I guess I will refine it if I ever end up on a VibPro crew again.

The plan now is to get back to SMSim3 and maybe start on a new version of SLX.

After a brief trip to Oman a couple of months ago for a startup, I have had time to work on VAPSDB3.

It now outputs KML Overlays – these are images that get overlayed in the appropriate place on Google Earth.

Although I don’t think Google Earth is the most appropriate thing for QC support (even if your crew has a decent internet connection, you really need a proper GIS package and up to date imagery), it can be useful to send overlay files to demonstrate a point or an issue.

I have also added a “Fleet QC” section.

This is something I have been thinking on for a long, long time.

The original concept of VAPSDB was analysis if Vib attributes at the sweep level.

But despite the current drive towards single vib source, many crews still operate with fleets of 2, 3, 4 or more vibs.

Hence Fleet QC.

Of course, adding this means I will have to add VP QC for the obvious case of more than one sweep per VP.

But one thing at a time.

Fleet QC at first glance looks much like the Areal display of single vib attributes.

But it does quite a bit more.

You can set up “Reshoot Criteria” where a Sweep will be flagged for reshoot if the criteria are met – for example, the average Force level for the VP is out of spec, or any vib in the fleet has a GPS fault flagged.

Probably the most useful feature is the numeric listing of “Reshoot Required” which will also display if and when a bad point has been reshot.

Double clicking on an entry will let you see exactly what was going on with the fleet at that point

Fleet QC can also output KML Polygons (blocks) to provide a sort of 3D view of things.

But be aware that if outputting too many points, Google Earth may choke.

It is more of a display to distract junior managers than for anything serious.

The plan now, other than looking for work is to get back to SMSim3.

SMSim3 is almost finished.
Just need to do some cosmetic tidy ups and resolve a few minor details.
Then I just need some work so I can try it out.

It outputs the usual basic sim display, plus Mass/BP plots, Pilot/Ref QC plots, Amplitude Envelopes, Taper QC, Distortion analysis.
There is a ‘Camera’ page that allows you to display traces of your choice.
Colours and Fonts can be changed to suit your display wants and needs.
Data can be in one or many files, depending on how you record sims.
It handles Sercel and VibPro controllers and can read a variety of data formats.

Some displays below.

With SMCSX you can see what your custom sweeps really look like.

It handles Sercel Custom files and INOVA’s SCI format.

Very easy to use, and the displays are quite customisable.

Details here:

https://seismatters.com/SMCSX.html

FWIW, this and the ability to convert between INOVA and Sercel formats is built into the soon to be released SMSIM3.

Added printing and Multi Image export

The user manual is available here:
www.seismatters.com/SMPanels/SMPanels%20User%20Manual.pdf

Example Print Output:

Anyone who has been involved with parameter tests will be familiar with the concept of Display Panels.
Considering the importance of these in parameter selection, it can be a frustrating exercise, especially if the tests involve different systems, receivers or sample rates

SMPanels allows you to generate panels in the field.
It handles SEGD data from:

• Sercel – 388, 408, 428, 508, Seal, Unite, WTU and DSD464 GF files
• Geospace – GSR, GCL, GSB
• Innoseis
• SmartSolo
• Along with SEGY, SEG2 and Verif-i Sandwich Box

Setup is fairly easy – put all your files into a folder of your choice, direct the program there,
select which files you want to analyse, along with the analysis window and go.

A post scalar can be applied to each selection if desired to adjust the perceived gain for a particular test.
This is very useful in the case of different recording systems, or different receiver arrays.

Filters can be applied, gain and colours adjusted.
Results can be output to a file, or to clipboard for pasting into reports.

More information here: SMPanels

One that I have been asked for many times over the years is a program to check the GetDSD files that are available from Sercel’s VE432 and 464.

So, here it is.

More Details here:

http://seismatters.com/SMGetDSD.html

And User Manual here:

http://seismatters.com/SMGetDSD/SMGetDSD%20User%20Manual.pdf

Quick and easy identification of Errors or out of tolerance conditions

Graphs of measured parameters

Generate noise maps on a 3D block.
Although noise sources are generally quite obvious to anyone in the field, It is quite useful to produce a map for anyone who is
looking at data at a later date, IE in processing or interpretation.

PN2 will take Sensor test files and average the results to produce a map.
Very easy to use. You can output results as Text, CSV or as a Shape File for use in a GIS application.

More details here:

http://seismatters.com/PN2.html

User Manual Here:

http://seismatters.com/PN2/PN2%20User%20Manual.pdf

Last week I was sent a Shape File which defined the outline of a block.

I was asked if I could provide the coordinates of the corner points.

Whilst there are some obscure ways to do this, it is difficult without a full blown GIS application.

As the question seems to be a fairly common one, I wrote ShapeReader to extract coordinates and various other information from Shape Files.

More information here:

http://seismatters.com/ShapeReader.html

A bunch of updates to VAPSDB3.
The biggest being the addition of an Export facility, where you can select desired attributes based on various criteria.

The other big change is the ability to output Shape Files.
This is especially useful for anyone using GIS packages for further displays.

VAPSDB3 here:
http://seismatters.com/VAPSDB3.html

and the user manual here:
http://www.seismatters.com/VAPSDB3/VAPSDB3%20User%20Manual.pdf

Finally got around to completing some overdue updates to VAPSDB3

Listing of results is now available for all (except Areal, where it wouldn’t be much use)

Scatter Graph and History Limit line thickness can now be set
Fixed issue in Patterns where resizing the dialog does not keep the draw area square. Now circles remain as circles
Fixed possible crash in Vib Stats is data not loaded
Reworked the way numeric results are displayed in Vib Stats

And a few other minor fixes.

The updated user manual is here:
http://www.seismatters.com/VAPSDB3/VAPSDB3%20User%20Manual.pdf

And program details here:
http://www.seismatters.com/VAPSDB3.html

Recently updated SMRefract to handle some of the newer nodal systems:

• Sercel WTU
• DTCC’s SmartSolo
• Innoseis Quantum Tremornet
• Geospace GCL and GSB

More information, and the user manual here:

http://www.seismatters.com/SMRefract.html

And here are links to information about each system:

http://www.sercel.com/products/Pages/WTU-508.aspx
http://smartsolo.com/
http://www.innoseis.com/tremornet/
http://www.geospace.com/

The first version of VAPSDB3 is now finished. Currently it will show:

• Comparative Statistics
• Time vs Status
• SS/DS3/DS4 Time vs Offset
• Source Patterns
• Areal Displays of attributes
• Scatter Graphs of Attributes
• Source Availability and VP rate
• Historic displays of Attributes.

It handles very large data sets and is much faster than VAPSDB2

More here:

http://www.seismatters.com/VAPSDB3.html

And the User manual here:

www.seismatters.com/VAPSDB3/VAPSDB3%20User%20Manual.pdf

Hopefully 2018 will be a better year than the last two. I am not all that hopeful though. Far too many have bought into the renewables scam. It will probably be 10 or 15 years before people wake up and realise that renewables can supplement energy production, but not replace conventionals.  It will be a very expensive awakening.

VAPSDB3 is still moving along. A bit slower than I hoped, but the new features are worth the effort.

Now have the Areal displays done:

And Vib Patterns/COG offsets:

Next a tidy up of the user interface and it should be ready for testing. Just need a crew to test it on.

The program is coming along slowly but steadily.

Now have the Stats section done:

The results are now in a scrollable panel, which overcomes one of the big problems I had with VAPSDB2 and a large number of vibrators. You can also specify the number of panels across and create custom selections to display only/all the information you want

A new one is DS3 and DS4 Time Distance checks:

Here a DS3 check. Numeric results can be output as CSV, Text or XML.

Rules can be easily defined in much the same way as in the recorder.

Next on the agenda is Areal displays and Vib Deviation displays.

Hopefully by this time next month, the whole thing will be ready for full on testing.

I just need some work so I can test it.

Some updates to SITA508 –

• You can now output listings to CSV as well as Text and XML
• Graphics can now be saved to PDF and Printed
• Scales and limits can be specified for Field Noise Tests
• Line graphs can now be segment style or continuous lines
• And some other fixes and minor enhancements

See here for more info:
http://www.seismatters.com/SITA508.html

And the updated user manual here:
www.seismatters.com/SITA508/SITA508%20User%20Manual.pdf

I am now working on VAPSDB3. It is much faster than VAPSDB2 and can handle huge date sets so will overcome one of the major problems of VAPSDB2.

So far, have Scatter Graphs, Time-Status, Availability and Production Rate and History

Still a lot to do, but it is coming along well.

SITA508 will process Sercel508 Instrument test results from the recorded SEGD files. (Limited to FDU tests only)

This allows you to verify that the Sercel or other 3rd Party results are valid. It also gives you a way to see if numeric results have been edited, which is rare, but has been known to happen.
It is very easy to use. Simply point it at the folder where the test files reside and the program does the rest.
Currently the following tests can be processed by SITA508:

FDU Noise
FDU Gain Error
FDU Phase Error
FDU CMRR
FDU Distortion
FDU Pulse
Sensor Noise
Sensor Resistance
Sensor Pulse
Sensor Tilt

More information and the user manual here
http://www.seismatters.com/SITA508.html

A couple of weeks ago, my hosting provider migrated the site to a new server and for them, a new platform.
For a variety of reasons it didn’t go all to plan.
The first problem was my side – I updated the .htaccess file just before the migration started
and then found the site could not be accessed at all.
I thought it was due to the migration, but I had screwed up the .htaccess file.
Once that was fixed, I found I wasn’t getting email.
That was something on the hosting side.
All’s well that ends well though, it all seems to be up and running now.
But any email sent to me between 22-August and the 1st September have probably been lost.

Lots of people seem to be visiting the Donate page:

http://www.seismatters.com/Donate.html

But no one donates. I will bear this in mind with future software offerings.
I am getting quite sick of supporting people in an industry that doesn’t want to support me.

My latest Header scanner available here:

http://seismatters.com/SMSFS.html

With it you can not only view decoded File Headers, you can Copy/Move/Delete and Rename files based on selections.

SMSFS handles both SEGD 2.1 and the latest abortion SEGD V3, so you can look at files from SN408/428 and the 508, along with Unite and DSD464 GF files (if they are SEGD)

Displayed attributes are specified in Setup.

You can arrange the display order to suit your needs.

Header Decodes are available for any loaded file.

There is more work to do on it, like adding the ability to output SPS, but that will have to wait.

Added Savitzky-Golay smoothing as a filter option in the latest version.

A description of the algorithm can be seen here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savitzky%E2%80%93Golay_filter

It essentially acts as a type of High Cut filter. Below, an unfiltered shot display

And here the same with an SG Filter applied:

As you can see below, it is not spectrally smooth, but can be quite useful in cleaning up noisy displays.

                     5 Point                                          9 Point

           19 Point                                       25 Point

As the program has not garnered much interest, I am suspending development of it for now.

There doesn’t seem to be much point in developing QC tools for an industry that doesn’t want them, or me.

I need to find some way of making some money, and this isn’t it!

The latest User Manual can be downloaded here:

http://www.seismatters.com/SMRefract/SMRefract%20User%20Ref.pdf