MXPA97004213A - Method and apparatus for the treatment of seismic signals and explorac - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for hydrocarbon exploration, comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a representation of a set of seismic traces distributed over a predetermined three-dimensional volume of the earth, said volume of the earth having underground accidents characterized by inclination and azimuth of inclination which are defined relative to a predetermined axis of measurement of the inclination azimuth, (b) dividing the three-dimensional volume into at least one horizontal time (interval) layer, and dividing said time layer into one plurality of three-dimensional analysis cells, in which each analysis cell has two lateral dimensions, mutually perpendicular, predetermined, and has portions of at least five seismic traces, laterally separated, located therein; (c) calculate, within each of the analysis cells, a plurality of measurements of the appearance of the traces located in them, where each aspect measure is at least as a function of time, the number of seismic traces within the analysis cell, and the apparent inclination and azimuth of apparent inclination of the traces within the analysis cell; d) identify, within each analysis cell, the largest of the calculated aspect measurements and define the corresponding apparent inclination as an estimate of the actual inclination and an estimate of the azimuth of the actual inclination of the seismic traces within the analysis cell and (e) form, from all the analysis cells, a visual representation of seismic attributes from the magnitude measurements calculated from the aspect and the corresponding estimates of actual inclination and azimuth of the actual inclination of the seismic traces within of the aforementioned time layer

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATMENT OF SEISMIC SIGNS AND EXPLORATION Technical Field This invention relates to the general subject of seismic exploration, in particular, to methods and devices for identifying structural and stratigraphic accidents in three dimensions. Interreference This patent application is a continuation in part of a provisional patent application filed for registration on October 6, 1995 and having serial number 005,032 and a US Patent Application. in the name of Bahorich and Farmer, which has serial number 353.934 and filing date of December 12, 1994. Background of the Invention In seismic exploration, the seismic data is acquired along lines (see lines 10 and ll of Figure 1) which consist of geophonic formations on land or itineraries of hydrophone chains at sea. The geophones and hydrophones act as sensors to receive energy that is transmitted to the ground and reflected to the surface from interfacial areas of subsurface rocks. The energy is often provided on land by Vibroseis * vehicles that transmit impulses by shaking the ground at predetermined intervals and frequencies. swimming on the surface. In the sea pneumatic hammer sources are usually used. The subtle changes suffered by the energy returned to the surface frequently reflect variations in the stratigraphic, structural and fluid content of the deposits or deposits. In the realization of the three-dimensional (3D) seismic exploration, the principle is similar; nevertheless, the lines and formations maintain a closer separation to provide a more detailed subsurface coverage. With this high-density coverage, extraordinarily large volumes of digital data have to be recorded, stored and processed before a final interpretation can be made. The treatment requires large computer resources and complex software to improve the signal received from the subsoil and mute or silence the accompanying noise that masks the signal. After processing the data, the geophysical staff assembles and interprets 3D seismic information in the form of a 3D data cube (see Figure 2) that effectively represents an image of subsuperficial characteristics. Using this data cube, information can be presented in various ways. Maps of horizontal time intervals can be drawn at chosen depths (see Figure 3). Using a computer workstation, an interpreter can also split the field to investigate results of deposits in different seismic horizons. The cuts or cross sections can also be made in any direction using seismic or sounding data. The chosen seismic profiles can be contoured, generating in this way a map of time horizons. Time horizon maps can be converted to depth to provide a natural scale structural interpretation at a specific level. The seismic data have been acquired and traditionally processed in order to compose images of seismic reflections for structural and stratigraphic interpretation. However, the changes suffered by stratigraphy are often difficult to detect in traditional seismic representations due to the limited amount of information that the stratigraphic characteristics present in a cross-sectional view. While working with time intervals and cross sections you have the opportunity to observe a greater portion of faults, it is difficult to identify the surfaces of the faults in a 3D volume where no fault reflections have been recorded. The coherence is a measure of the similarity or dissimilarity of the seismic traces. The more the coherence of two seismic traces increases, the more similar they will be. Assigning a measure of coherence on a scale of zero to one, "0" indicates the maximum lack of similarity, while a value of "l" indicates a full or complete similarity (e.g., two identical traces, perhaps displaced in time). The coherence for more than two traces can be identified in a similar way. A method for calculating coherence was described in U.S. Pat. of Bahorich and Farmer (assigned to Amoco Corporation) that has serial number 353.934 and filing date of December 12, 1994. In contrast to shaded relief methods that allow 3D visualization of faults, channels, landslides and other horizon sedimentary accidents chosen, the coherence process devised by Bahorich and Farmer acts on the seismic data itself. When a sufficient change in acoustic impedance occurs, the 3D seismic coherence cube, developed by Bahorich and Farmer, can be extraordinarily effective in delineating seismic faults. It is also very effective in enhancing subtle changes suffered by stratigraphy (e.g., 3D images of distributing channels in meanders, punctual bars (sandbanks), gorges or canyons, landslides and the evolutionary process of tidal drainage). Although the procedure invented by Bahorich and Farmer has been very successful, it has some limitations. An inherent assumption of Bahorich's invention is the assumption of the mean zero seismic signals. It is approximately accurate when the correlation window exceeds the length of a seismic wave train. With respect to seismic data containing an energy component of 10 Hz, it requires a rather long window of 100 ms that can mix the stratigraphy associated with deeper and less deep time horizons. Shortening the window (e.g., 32 ms) results in a higher vertical resolution, but often at the expense of larger artifacts due to the seismic wave train. Unfortunately, an intercorrelation process of sliding windows of average with a non-zero value is an order of magnitude more expensive in computer media. In addition, if the seismic data is contaminated by coherent noise, the apparent depth estimates, using only two traces, will be relatively noisy. Therefore, there is a need for methods and apparatus that could solve the drawbacks of the known art. In particular, a higher resolution and calculation speed is desirable. In addition, it would be very convenient to improve the depth estimates in the presence of coherent noise.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, a method and article of manufacture for locating accidents, faults and underground contours is described. In one embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of: accessing 3D seismic data encompassing a predetermined volume of the earth; dividing the volume into a formation or set of relatively small three-dimensional cells, in which each of the cells is characterized by at least five laterally separated and generally vertical seismic traces located therein; determine in each cell the appearance / similarity of the traces in relation to two predetermined directions, and represent in image the appearance / similarity of each cell in the form of a two-dimensional map. In one embodiment, the aspect / similarity is a function of time, the number of seismic traces within the cell and the apparent inclination (depression) and the azimuth of the apparent inclination of the traces within the cell; the appearance / similarity of a cell is determined by taking a plurality of measurements of the appearance / similarity of the traces within the cell and selecting the largest of the measurements. In addition, the apparent inclination and the azimuth of the apparent depression, corresponding to the greater measurement of the aspect / similarity in the cell, are considered as approximate calculations of the real inclination and the azimuth of real inclination of the traces contained in it. Finally, a color map, characterized by hue, saturation and luminosity, is used to represent the aspect / similarity, the actual inclination azimuth and the actual inclination of each cell; in particular, the actual inclination azimuth is cartographed on the scale of shades; the actual inclination is cartography on the saturation scale and the greater measurement of the appearance / similarity is cartography on the scale of luminosity of the map in color. In another embodiment of the invention, a manufacturing article is described comprising a means readable by a computer and carrying instructions for the computer to perform a seismic exploration process. In one embodiment, the computer accesses 3D seismic data spanning a predetermined volume of the earth and the medium instructs the computer to: divide the volume into a formation of three-dimensional, relatively small cells, in which each cell is characterized by less by five seismic traces, laterally separated and in general vertical, located in it; the appearance / similarity of the traces with respect to two predetermined directions is determined in each cell, and the appearance / similarity of each cell is stored for representation in the form of a two-dimensional map. In one embodiment, the instructions contained in the medium define the aspect / similarity as a function of time, the number of seismic traces within the cell and the apparent inclination and the azimuth of the apparent inclination of the traces within the cell; the appearance / similarity of a cell is determines by taking a plurality of measures of the appearance / similarity of the traces within the cell and selecting the largest of the measurements. In addition, the apparent inclination and the azimuth of the apparent inclination, corresponding to the greater of the measurements of appearance / similarity in the cell, are considered as estimates of the real inclination and the azimuth of the actual inclination of the traces contained therein. . The computer comprises means for producing a visual representation in color that is characterized by hue, saturation and brightness, and the medium has instructions for mapping the actual inclination azimuth on a scale of shades, the actual inclination on a saturation scale, and the Higher aspect / similarity measurement on a luminosity scale. The process of the invention is particularly suitable for interpreting fault planes within a 3D seismic volume and for detecting subtle stratigraphic accidents in 3D. It is because the seismic traces cut by a fault line generally have a different seismic character than the traces on each side of the fault. The measurement of the multichannel coherence or similarity of traces over a time interval reveals contours of low coherence along these fault lines. Such measurements may reveal critical subsurface details that are not readily apparent in seismic sections traditional Also, by calculating the similarity of the traces over a series of time intervals, these contours of the faults identify planes or surfaces of faults. The process of the invention features a multitrace appearance method that is generally safer in noisy environments than a three-trace intercorrelation method for calculating seismic coherence. In addition, the appearance process, presented in this patent application, provides: a higher vertical resolution for good quality data than that of a seismic coherence measurement by three-trace intercorrelation; the ability to map the 3D solid angle (tilt / azimuth) of coherent events; the ability to generalize the concept of complex "trace" attributes to one of the attributes of complex "mirrors"; and combining these attributes of improved complex traces with coherence and solid angle, the data attributes base of quantitative 3D seismic stratigraphy that can be subjected to geostatistical analysis methods. In addition, the seismic coherence against maps of depressions of selected horizons allows the analysis of: the structural and stratigraphic framework before start the detailed selection; structural and stratigraphic accidents of the entire data volume, including areas that are shallower, deeper and adjacent to the primary area of interest; subtle accidents that can not be represented by selections of crests and breasts; and internal accidents to the top and bottom of the formation or selections of demarcation of the sequences. Along with the coherence, the data cubes of the inclination of the solid angle of coherent seismic reflections events allow to observe rapidly structural as well as stratigraphic relations (such as superposition and extraposition) between the seismic data and the demarcations or limits of the interpreted sequences. Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be readily apparent from the detailed description of the following invention, the embodiments therein described, the claims and the accompanying drawings. Brief Description fle IQS Graphs Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an arrangement of geophones to obtain 3D seismic data of the earth's subsoil for treatment according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the information obtained from the acquired data using the arrangement of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a horizontal time interval (t = 1200ms) of 3D seismic data processed according to the known technique. Figures 4A to 4H illustrate several analysis windows (calculation stars) that can be used in seismic coherence analysis, tilt and tilt azimuth by scrolling windows. Figure 5 is a perspective view of the process of the invention using an elliptical window centered around an analysis point. Figures 6A and 6B are examples of a rectangular tilt / azimuth tessellation useful when analyzing a geological study that presents slopes and inclinations (depressions) to the acquisition axes and when faults are elucidated perpendicular to a mirror and mirror depression u dominant reflection horizon (pQ, q0). Figures 7A through 7C are perspective views of three tilting tessellations / solid angle azimuths. Figures 8A to 8D represent the cartography or the tracing 3D seismic attributes (f, c, d) in 3D color space (H, L, S). Figure 9 shows four surfaces across the color hemisphere of Figure 8A corresponding to four coherence values. Figures 10A to 10C represent normal vertical cuts of the seismic data of Figure 3. Figures HA to 11C represent seismic attributes, inclination, tilt azimuth and coherence obtained by applying the method of the invention to data corresponding to those of the Figures 10A to 10C. Figures 12A and 12B are time intervals (t = 1200ms and t = 1600 ms) through the tilt azimuth cube that results in Figures HA and 11B. Figures 13A and 13B are representations of gray scale coherence. Figures 14A to 14C represent coherence slices corresponding to the data of Figures 10A to 10C. Figures 15A and 15B depict the results of applying an aspect algorithm and applying an inclination / azimuth algorithm according to the present invention; and Figures 16A and 16B are schematic diagrams depicting the flow of processing or processing of the steps executed in an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description While this invention is capable of realization in many different forms, specific embodiments of the invention will be illustrated in the drawings, and will be described in detail in this specification. However, it should be understood that the present description should be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and not as a limitation of the invention to any specific embodiment or algorithm described here. The first step of the process (see Figure 16A) is to obtain a set of seismic data in the form of traces of seismic signals distributed over a three-dimensional volume of the earth. The methods by which such data is obtained and reduced to digital form for processing as 3D seismic data are methods known to the person skilled in the art. THE ASPECT PROCESS The next step is to generate a "coherence cube". It is done by applying a multitrace aspect algorithm to the 3D seismic data. This algorithm can take many forms. Whatever your form, its function is to compare the similarity of nearby regions of seismic data within the 3D seismic volume. This value (or attribute) serves as a fairly safe estimate of signal discontinuity within geological formations, as well as discontinuity from the signal through faults and erosional disagreements. We define an analysis grid (or calculation star) as an elliptical or rectangular configuration of "J" traces centered around a given output trace (see Figures 4A through 4H). In the drawings, "X" indicates the center of the analysis window while "O" indicates additional traces used in the aspect calculation. Figures 4A and 4D illustrate circular and rectangular minimum size windows used to analyze data with trace equidistances (? X =? Y). The minimum circular and rectangular windows, used to analyze data with trace separation in the direction of cross-sectional line (and) double that the direction in line / inclination (x) (? Y = 2? X) are illustrated in the Figures 4B and 4E. Such unequal separations are commonly used to exploit the slower geology change in the direction of tumble. Figures 4C and 4F illustrate larger analysis windows used for higher tilt and mirror azimuth resolution or to increase the signal to noise ratio in data poor areas. The elliptical and rectangular analysis windows, centered around an analysis point defined by a major axis, a minor axis and the azimuth of the major axis, are illustrated in Figures 4G and 4H. The acquisition axes (x, y) of fQ degrees are rotated from the North-East axes (x ', y'). Such asymmetric windows are useful in the detection of fractures. If we center the axis (x, y) around the center of an analysis window containing J seismic traces, u. (T, x •, y.?), We define the aspect s (t, p, q) as: S u [t - (px .. + q and j), Xj, yj] s (7-, p, q) = (1) JJ? L tl uu [[tt - (px. + Qyi), x •, yi,] J 2 j = l JJJJ where the triple (t, p, q) defines a local planar event in time T, and p and p are the apparent inclinations in the x and y directions measured in ms / m. As p = d sin f and q = d eos f, where d is the real inclination and f is the azimuth of the inclination, it follows that: Uj (r, p, q, x, y) = Uj [t, d (x sin f + and eos f) .x, and]. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, in the denominator of equation (1), J serves as a normalization factor. The numerator represents the average energy and the sum of the sum in the denominator represents the total energy of the traces. In fact, equation (1) is representative of a coherent and incoherent energy relationship. The purpose is to perform a 2D investigation simultaneous (see Figure 5) on apparent inclinations (p, q) in the online and transverse directions. However, the aspect estimate given by equation (1) will be unstable with respect to small but coherent values of seismic events, as might occur if we add along crosses by zero of a coherent plane wave train. To avoid this, we calculate the coherence c (r, p, q) in time r and the apparent inclinations (p, q) as the average aspect in a time window (or vertical analysis window of height 2w ms of samples of half-length k = w /? t): + K. JSL í \ SL uu [[tt + + kk ?? tt - ((ppxx._j? ++ qqyyj-j)), * j, Yj] J k = - kj = ls (t, p, q) = (2) + kj J? S iu [T + k? T - (px • + qy •), x •, and •,] k == - kj = l JJJJ In general, we do not know but we want to calculate the value of (p, q) associated with the local tilt and azimuth of a hypothetical 3D reflection event. In one embodiment of the process of the invention, we calculate (p, q) by a recognition on all possible apparent inclinations (see Figures 6A and 6B). We assume that the interpreter is able to calculate the maximum real inclination, La? (measured in ms / m) from traditional seismic representations of the data (e.g., vertical data slices), thus limiting the inclinations to: Yes xma? e yraa? equivalent to half the width and half the length of a rectangular analysis window, and if fma? is the highest temporal frequency component contained in the seismic data, the Nyquist criterion of sampling the data at two points per period limits the apparent inclination increments,? p and? q, to: "max ^ = ^ (" max * 'e ^ max ^ = V (2fmax) It should be noted that the Nyquist criterion is valid in relation to linear operations on seismic data, and that equation (2) is nonlinear. In practice, we have considered it necessary to limit? Py? Q to half of what is required by the Nyquist sampling criterion to obtain an exact appearance corresponding to a coherent tilt event. Therefore, our search for a calculation or estimation of the Apparent inclination (p, q) of a seismic mirror is reduced to the calculation of aspect cf (p-, q) on n + n pairs of discrete apparent inclinations (pl 'qm) where; nq = (2d * ax? q) +1 The pair of apparent inclinations (p ,, q) is considered as an estimate of the apparent inclinations of the mirrors when: c (p, q) > cip -, ^, qm) (3) corresponding to all -n < l < + n, -n < m < + n. r hr Yes The estimated apparent inclinations (p, q) are related to the estimated true inclination d and the tilt azimuth f by the simple geometric relationships: p = d sin f; and q = d eos f, where d is measured in ms / m and the angle f is measured clockwise from the positive x1 (or North) axis. A simple rotation of coordinates at an angle fQ is necessary when the direction of acquisition in line (in the same plane) is not aligned with the axis N-S (x ') (see Figure 4G). DISCRETIZATION AND VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF SOLID ANGLES Optimal angular discretization is important for two reasons: minimization of computer cost and limitation of the number of colors that can be represented graphically using commercial software for interpretation station (eg, currently 64 with Landmark's "Seisworks" and 32 with "IESX" Geoquest systems). Figure 7a shows the apparent inclination discretization using equal increments? P and? Q in a rectangular grid of 69 angles. Figure 7B shows the discretization using equal increments? D and? F in a radial grid of 97 angles. Obviously, we do not want to sample the slope d = 0 ms / m corresponding to ten different azimuths. The "Chinese Checkers" tiling of Figure 7C more accurately represents an equal and, therefore, more economical sampling of the surface (d, f) with a minimum number of points (e.g., 61 angles). Each tiling of Figures 7A and 7C represents an approximately equal area of solid angle OO. With respect to the angular discretization illustrated in Figure 7C and with respect to a circular analysis radius, a, the incremental inclination α d is chosen as: 1 a? < (4) max VISUAL REPRESENTATION While the aspect, inclination (depression) and azimuth can be independently mapped, it is evident that the last two attributes are mutually coupled.

In addition, the confidence we have in these estimates or approximate calculations is proportional to the coherence / aspect.

Others (see U.S. Patent 4,970,699 to Bucher et al. And assigned to A oco Corporation, "Method for Color Mapping Geophysical Data") have shown that the HLS color model (HLS) Lightness, Saturation (Matiz, Luminosity, Saturation)) can be very effective for the visual or graphic representation of multicomponent seismic attributes (see also Foley, J. D, and Van Dam, A., 1981, Fundamentals of Interactive Graphis, Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA) . Referring to Figures 8A to 8D, in this scheme, we directly represent the azimuth, f, on the hue axis H: H = f where H (commonly known as the "color wheel") and f vary between -180 and +180 degrees (see Figure 8B). The blue corresponds to the North azimuth, the east azimuth room, the yellow to the South azimuth and the forest green to the West azimuth. The azimuths corresponding to a zero inclination are arbitrarily assigned a value of 0 ° (North) and, therefore, are represented in blue. Then, we represent (see Figure 8C) the aspect / coherence mean c, on the luminosity axis L: L = ac, where 0 < L < 100, 0 < c < 1.0 and a is a constant of scale less than 100, since changes in hue and saturation close to L = 0 (black) and L = 100 (white) are difficult to distinguish. White, or L = 100, corresponds to a high aspect or c = l, while black, or L = 0, corresponds to a low aspect, c = 0. The intermediate aspects correspond to intermediate shades of gray (for example silver, gray and dark gray). The luminosity (sometimes known as "brightness") expresses the amount of illumination. It represents a scale of grays ranging from black to white. Finally, we represent the inclination d on the saturation axis S: s -? Ood / dma ?. The saturation (S = 0) and the tonality chosen are arbitrary; similarly we could graphically represent this attribute corresponding to a value of (H = 0, S = 100) giving us an aspect represented as white, pastel blue, pure blue, dark blue and black. Saturation expresses the lack of dilution of a color by white light. A totally saturated color has no added white; adding white "dilutes" the color without changing its hue (see Figure 8D). Figure 9 illustrates four constant surfaces across the color hemisphere (H, L, S) 3D of (f, c, d) illustrated in Figure 8A, corresponding to ac = l, 00, c = 0.75, c = 0.50 and c = 0.00. Appendix 1 describes the color scheme in greater detail. Some advantages of the HLS color model they are: the azimuth is cyclic and is represented clearly to the wheel of cyclic colors (hue); the azimuths corresponding to d = 0 have no meaning; all the azimuths converge smoothly towards the gray in relation to shallow inclinations (depressions), and the lower confidence in the estimation of inclination and azimuth in areas of low weak aspect (for example through faults) is indicated with darker colors. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MATHEMATICAL PROCESS Interpretation stations can be used Landmark and GeoQuest (see Figure 16B), for example, to observe and interpret stratigraphic faults and accidents by loading the processed data as a seismic volume. Visualization software (e.g., Landmark SeisCube software) can be used to quickly make seismic volume cuts as an aid in understanding complex fault relationships. COMPUTER PROGRAM A FORTRAN 77 program was written to perform the calculations and provide the information for the visual or graphic representations described above. Additional details are given in Appendix 2. Each trace U ^ is accessed by its on-line and cross-line indexes, M and N. The user specifies a window or rectangular or elliptical spatial analysis cell around each point / trace in the input data set (see Figure 4G). The major and minor axes of this analysis window, a and b, are given by a = aplength and b = apwidth. The orientation or azimuth of the major axis f is given by f = apazim. A rectangular analysis window (Figure 4H) is indicated by specifying -R on the command line. The indexes 2 relative to the center of this analysis window (and corresponding to the traces that fall within this window) are tabulated as a simple list, indicating m (j) and n (j) the index of the traces (relative to the analysis trace Uj ^,) in the x and y directions, respectively. The program performs a simultaneous 2D search on apparent inclinations (p, q) in the on-line and cross-line directions, where (p 2 + q2) 1 '/ 2 < + smax The dp and dq increments are chosen so that the data is sampled at four points per period = l / (fref) at the edge of the analysis window. For interpretation, it may be convenient to express each pair of apparent inclinations (p, q) in spherical coordinates as a real inclination (time or depth) d and an inclination azimuth f. The data in the analysis window is interpolated to the fractional time, r, px - qy, for each test inclination and azimuth (see Figure 5), essentially "flattening" the data. The aspect corresponding to this test inclination at the point of analysis is defined as the aspect of these traces flattened in the analysis window. Regarding the time domain data, we flattened the jth trace around the analysis point (M, N) by: f (t, p, q,?, Y) u [t- (px + qy)] = u [rd (xsenf + y cosf)], where x and y are measured distances from the center of the analysis window. It can be expressed like this: ufM + m (j), N + n (j) (t'P (?) = uM + m (j), N + n (j)? t- (Pn (j)? X +, 3m ^)? and ] where? X and? y are the separations of the traces in line and in transversal line With respect to the domain data of the depth we flatten the jth trace using: uf (, p, q,?, y) = u [- (px + py)] u = [Cd (x sinf + y cosf)] The aspect is then calculated for all subsequent azimuth inclinations using: s (r, p, q,) = (5) J J? [uf (t, p, q, Xj, y: j)] 2 ji As in the velocity analysis, the aspect corresponding to each inclination, azimuth and analysis point is flattened forming a displacement window time integration on the sums partial of K a + K where K = apheight / dt. Therefore, we define the coherence, c (t iP > q) as: The tilt and azimuth torque O = (d, f) that has the maximum coherence (integrated displaceable window) c is considered as an estimate of the coherence, c, tilt and azimuth (d, f) corresponding to the analysis point. EXAMPLES Figures HA at 11C are graphical representations of the 3D seismic attributes (fc, d) corresponding to Figures 10A to 10C using the coherence algorithm based on the aspect expressed by equation (6) and the technique of color graphic representation illustrated in Figures 8 and 9. The input data was sampled temporarily at 4 ms; have an on-line tracing separation of? X = 12.5 m and have a traverse spacing on? y = 25 m, with in-line acquisition oriented along an N-S axis. With reference to Figures HA at 11C, a window or circular analysis cell of a = b = 60 m was used (see Figure 4A) to include a total of 11 traces in the calculation. The maximum search tilt (see Figure 7C) was dma? = 0.25 ms / m, resulting in 61 search angles. The time of temporary integration used was w = 16 ms, or K = 4, thus averaging the Appearance calculation on 9 samples. In Figures 10A and 10B the lines AA 'and BB' were chosen as vertical slices S to N and W to E through the center of a salt dome. Line CC is a line S to N displaced and illustrates the appearance of radial faults on a vertical cut. In Figures HA at 11C, the interior of the salt dome is represented by dark colors, corresponding to a generally low coherence area. The areas of low coherence correspond to the radial faults seen on the line CC. The flat, coherent inclinations are represented in light gray color and dominate the section outside the salt dome, in particular the CC line. The blue color on the north side of the salt dome (seen on the AA 'line of N-S) corresponds to deep dip sediments (d = dmax) to the north. These inclinations (depressions or dips) are progressively less deep as they move away from the salt dome and, therefore, are represented, first, in blue (saturation, S = 100.0), blue cadet (S = 0, 75) and steel blue (S = 0.50), before flattening and are shown in gray (S = 0.0). The yellow color on the south side of the salt dome (seen on the line AA ') corresponds to sediments with deep dip to the south. The salmon color on the east flank of the salt dome (represented on the line BB 'E-) corresponds to sediments with deep dip towards the East. These inclinations (dips) are progressively less deep as they move away from the salt dome and are represented, first, in salmon color (S = 100.00), passing through the siena (S = 50.0) to arrive final- to gray, corresponding to a flat inclination. Finally, the forest gray color on the west flank of the salt dome (illustrated above the line AA ') corresponds to sediments with deep dip to the west. These dips also flatten as they move away from the salt dome and are represented using the colors that appear in the west part of the legend indicated in Figure 9. The CC line of N-S is aligned radially with the salt dome. Therefore, the rotation outside the plane of blocks of different faults are represented by corresponding the green block to inclinations towards the SW and the cyan block with inclinations toward the NW. Since these 3D attributes were calculated for each point on the input seismic volume, they can be represented visually or graphically as time intervals of horizontal attributes (see Figures 12A and 12B); correspond to a time interval of unprocessed seismic data. The interior of the salt dome, as well as the radial faults are represented in dark colors, corresponding to incoherent areas of the data. Due to the almost radial symmetry of the salpic diapir at t = 1,200 ms (see Figure 12A), the inclined or dipping sediments that flank the diapir are also presented in outward radii in an azimuthally simple form in such a way that their azimuths correspond with great accuracy to the legend of colors on the left side of Figure 9. This model is somewhat less symmetric at = 1,600 ms (see Figure 12B), where the inclinations are shallower to the south than to the north. In addition, you can observe internal blocks of coherent data within the salt dome. The legend of colors presented in the Figure 9 leaves margin exclusively for four "buckets" of coherence. To examine consistency in greater detail, it can be plotted as a simple attribute. This is illustrated in Figures 13A and 13B, where the 184 colors are applied to the single gray scale shown in Figure 8C. In this graphic representation, the maximum coherence (c = 1.0) is presented in white; the minimum coherence (c = 0,0) appears in black. Although the interior of the salt diapir is illustrated as a highly incoherent area, this graphic representation shows better subtle details in radial fault patterns. In particular, the faults that arise from the salt dome are illustrated, bifurcating some as we move away. In addition to the more continuous accumulation of the attribute of coherence, part of this difference in perception is due to the fact that the human retina sees the colors and black and white using different receivers (cone versus bar). There is also a physiological difference in the ability to differentiate between greens and blues between humans of the male and female gender. For this reason, male interpreters often prefer the simple and simple attribute coherence representation illustrated in Figures 13A, 13B and 15A on the multi-attribute representation (f, c, d) illustrated in Figures HA to 12B and 15B. Actually, these visual or graphic representations are very complementary: being the representation of 3D components useful to recognize the appearance of azimuths of conflicting inclinations between blocks of adjacent rotation faults, and using the representation of simple components to reinforce the edge, or discontinuity of the incoherent fault, which separates them. PROCESS CONSIDERATIONS A meticulous study of Figures 13A and 13B reveals an incoherent annular energy pattern circumscribing the salt dome. To investigate the cause of these artifacts, vertical cuts were taken through the coherence cube of simple components corresponding to the seismic data of Figures 10A to 10C. This circumstance is illustrated in Figures 14A to 14C. The interior of the salt dome is clearly incoherent. An incoherent underwater gorge accident (described by Nissen and others, "3D Seismic Coherency Techniques Applied to the Identification and Delineation of Slump Features ", 1995 SEG Expanded Abstracts, pages 1532-1534) occurs to the north of the salt dome if the seismic data illustrated in Figures 10A to 10C were superimposed on the coherence sections illustrated in Figures 14A at 14C, a close correspondence would be observed between areas of low coherence of Figures 14A to 14C with zero crossings of the events of seismic reflections in Figures 10A to 10C.This will be easily understood if it is assumed that a level exists, fixed but incoherent, of seismic noise in all the data Regarding points of analysis where the apparent inclinations align with crests or seismic mirrors of powerful amplitude (in such a way that the estimation of the energy of the signal is high with respect to to incoherent noise), the signal-to-noise ratio can be expected to be high, resulting in an estimate of high coherence. When the analysis point is of such characteristics that there were apparent inclinations aligned with zero crossings of these same seismic mirrors, in such a way that the signal was low with respect to our incoherent noise, it is expected that the signal-to-noise ratio would be low, resulting in a low estimate of coherence. We have found three methods to increase the relationship signal to noise: the first most appropriate for structural analysis; the second most appropriate for stratigraphic analysis and the third appropriate for both cases. With respect to the case of pronounced dip failures (less than 45 ° from the vertical), the signal to noise ratio can be increased simply by increasing the size of our vertical analysis window w given in equation (2). Two effects will be observed. First, the structural dispersion corresponding to the zero crossing points of the mirrors or reflection horizons decreases as the size of the vertical integration window increases. Secondly, since there are few really vertical faults, the lateral resolution of the faults seems to be reduced as the size of the vertical window increases. A w analysis window - 16 ms (which would comprise a full cycle of peak energy of 30 Hz in the data) seems to be a good middle ground. The second method (equally appropriate for stratigraphic and structural analysis) of increasing the signal-to-noise ratio is to extract coherence along an interpreted stratigraphic horizon. If this stratigraphic horizon is associated with an extreme of the seismic data, for example a peak or a sine, those data having only a relatively high signal-to-noise ratio will be selectively represented. Evident- However, extracting coherence data corresponding to a zero crossing would considerably exacerbate the graphical representation of coherence. A more economical version of this system consists of first flattening the data along the horizon of interest and then calculating the seismic attributes exclusively along the chosen horizon. This system is somewhat more sensitive to lapses in automatic choosers (? And humans!), Since the deformed signals of cycle jumps in the selection are somewhat random and, therefore, will almost always appear as incoherent. Shallow accidents (e.g., shallow channels, accidents of shallow tidal channels corresponding to deltaic redressed sands, and formation of small faults in steps) do not exist at any distance above or below an interpreted stratigraphic horizon; therefore, the inclusion of any data from above or below the horizon in which they are located adds to uncorrelated amplitude variations, thus making these discontinuities appear to be more coherent and, therefore, , diffused or diluted. If the time samples above or below the interpreted horizon contain independent, perhaps strong, amplitude discontinuities, these discontinuities will infiltrate the analysis corresponding to windows large, giving a stratigraphic horizon that contains mixed accidents from different stratigraphic horizons generated in different geological eras. The third method is a generalization of the original collection of seismic traces u- to that of an analytical trace v. Defined as: where u ^ (t) is the quadrature, or Hilbert transformation of u- (t), and i indicates V -1. The calculation of s (r, p, q) and c (t, p, q) is entirely analogous to equations (1) and (2), where 2 we observe that the definition v. is given by: Vj2? - jV.j = ÍUj + VjHUj-iVj). The third method avoids numerical instabilities in the aspect estimate of equation (1) in the "zero crossings" of a otherwise powerful mirror. THE EFFECT OF THE HORIZONTAL ANALYSIS WINDOW Examining equation (2), it is evident that the computational cost of the analysis increases linearly with the number of traces included in the analysis. However, comparing a 11-trace coherence time interval based on the aspect with those 3-trace intercorrelation coherence time intervals (where each has an identical vertical analysis window of w = 32 ms) we have the trend to believe that adding more traces to the calculation can increase the signal to noise ratio. In general, the Signal-to-noise ratio increases as the size of the analysis window increases. However, the overall coherence is somewhat reduced (it looks less white), since the approximation of a mirror, possibly in curvature, by a constant planar event (p, q) is broken down as the size of the window increases. In general, the signal-to-noise ratio of inclination / azimuth estimates increases with the number of traces in the calculation, until a point is reached at which the approximation of locally planar mirrors is no longer maintained. CONCLUSIONS The 3D aspects technique presented in this patent application provides an excellent measure of seismic coherence. Using an arbitrary size analysis window, we can balance the incompatible demands of maximizing lateral resolution and the signal-to-noise ratio that is not possible when employing a fixed three-trace intercorrelation technique. Accurate coherence measurements can be achieved using a short (vertical) time integration window that is of the shortest order in the data, while a zero mean intercorrelation technique with an integration window greater than the period is preferably used. longer in the data. Thus, the appearance process results in less vertical geological blurring of a process intercorrelation, even with respect to large spatial analysis windows (see Figures 15A and 15B). Equally important in terms of coherence estimation, the aspect process provides a direct means to calculate the 3D solid angle (inclination and azimuth) of each reflection event. These maps of solid angles may or may not be related to classic maps of time structures that define the limits of the formations. As the basic coherence process of Bahorich and Farmer (e.g., intercorrelation), the estimate of the instantaneous tilt / azimuth cube can be achieved before any interpretation of the data for use in a general summary of the geological site. In this recognition mode, the coherence and instantaneous tilt / azimuth cubes allow the user to choose key tilt (dip) and steepening (steering) lines that cross important structural or sedi-logical accidents far in advance in the interpretation stage of a draft. In an interpretation mode, these inclinations and azimuths can be related to the limits of the formations and / or sequences, so that the patterns of programming and transgression of the internal structure in 3D can be represented on the map. Finally, having estimated the instantaneous inclination and azimuth at each point in the data cube, classical attributes of seismic traces can be applied to locally planar mirrors, thereby considerably increasing the signal-to-noise ratios. From the above description, it will be noted that numerous variations, alternatives and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, this description should be interpreted for illustrative purposes only and for the purpose of teaching the specialists in the field how to put the invention into practice. Other algorithms can be used to measure the similarity of nearby regions of seismic data or to generate the "cube of discontinuities". In addition, equivalent calculations can be used to replace those illustrated and described. For example, instead of an investigation on apparent inclinations p and q, one could investigate inclination and azimuth (d, f). The inverse of the calculated aspect can be used to obtain a visual representation analogous to the negative of a photograph. Also, certain characteristics of the invention can be used independently of other characteristics thereof. For example, after the solid angle (inclination and azimuth) has been estimated, a more uniform and safe multiple trace estimation of the classical attributes of complex traces can be obtained (Tañer, MT, Koehler, F., and Sheriff, RE; 1979, "Complex Seismic Trace Analysis", Geophysjcs, 44, 1041, 1063). Instead of calculating theseattributes on a single trace, attributes of the stack of trace angles can be calculated within the analysis window. That is, it can be calculated: [U (r, p, q)] 24 H (t, p, q)] 2) 1/2 * i (t, p, q) = tan ~ 1 i} H (t, p, q) / U (t, p, q) J, UH "dr U (t, p, q) r, p, q) + Un (t, p, q) (t, p, q) d? Dr dr fí" dr [U (r, p, q) ] 2 H (r, p, q,) r2 dU 5U H t (r, p, q) (t, p, q) + t (r, p, q) (r, p, q) dr dr b -, (r, p, q) = j [U (, p, q)] 2TÜ H (t, p, q) r2 where 2 U (t, p, q) is ÍL u [t - (p j + q and j), Xj, Yj,] (see j-1 3 ^ ^ 3 numerator of equation 1); U (7", p, q) is the Hilbert transformation, or quadrature component of U (r, p, q); a. (R, p, q) is the envelope, or instantaneous amplitude;? J (tfP / q) is the instantaneous phase, fíí ^ fP / q) is the instantaneous frequency, and b.¡ (t ~, p, q) is the instantaneous bandwidth (see Cohen, L., 1993; "Instantaneous Anything"; Proc. IEEE Int. Conf. Acoust. Speech Sisnal Processing., 4, 105-109).

In addition to these "instantaneous" attributes, other attributes are suggested to characterize the signal within a given lobe of the envelope of the traces so that it is that of the attribute on the crest of the envelope r. They include (see Bodine, JH; 1994; "Waverform Analysis with Six Attributes"; presented at the 54 th Ann. Intl. Mtg, SEG, Atlanta, GA, USA): the envelope of the wave train: ar (r, p , q) = < \ (te, p, q), the wave train phase:? r (t ", P, q) = ti (te, P, q) # the frequency of the wave train: fr (r / P / q ) = fi (re, p, q,), the bandwidth of the wave train: br (r, p, q) = i (te, p, q), the zero-phase component, U ° (r, p, q) = cos [? r (r, p, q)] U (r, p, q) + sin [? r (r, p, q)] UH (t, p, q) the phase component of ninety degrees: U 9 ° (t, p, q) = sin [? r (r, p, q)] U (r, p, q) + cos [? r (r, p, q)] UH ( t, p, q) as well as obliquity, formation time and duration of the response As the mixing occurs along the direction of the actual inclination, the components of slowly variable amplitude, phase, frequency and width will be preserved. In addition, the consistency / appearance / similarity calculation allows for "analysis of "texture of similar seismic regions, texture analysis combined with" cluster analysis "leads to segmentation analysis, among other things, it allows to make geological correlations and extrapolate the geological character of the subsoil. In this way, it will be understood that various modifications, alternatives, variations and changes can be introduced without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. it is natural, it is intended to cover in the appended claims all those modifications that fall within the scope thereof.

APPENDIX 1 CALIBRATION OF HLS MULTIPLE ATTRIBUTES Nuances are pure colors, or 100% saturated, and correspond to the "Crayola" standard of 96 non-toxic pencils 1994 Address? Fmatiza Color Crayola N 0 blue NNE 30 plum ENE 60 magenta E 90 salmon ESE 120 red SSE 150 red orange S 180 yellow SSW 210 green lime WSW 240 green W 270 green forest WNW 300 cyan NNW 330 cerulean (dark blue) N 360 blue The 50% partial saturation corresponds to "dirtier" colors Direction f ímatiZV Color Crayola N 0 blue cadet NE 45 fuchsia E 90 brown SE 135 sepia S 180 gold SW 225 olive W 270 sea green NW 315 blue steel N 360 Blue cadet Saturation 0% corresponds to no color pigment: Direction F (hue) Color Crayola N o gray E 90 gray S 180 gray W 270 gray N 360 gray Low brightness values correspond to "dark" colors; the intermediate luminosity values correspond to "intense" colors and the high luminosity values correspond to "pastel" colors.

APPENDIX 2 SYNOPSIS \ semb3d [-Nfile_in] [-O / ile-out] [-hisfi le_hls] [-tstart-tetart] [-tendtend] [-ildmdx] [-cldmdy] [-aplengthaplength] [-apwidthapwidth] [- apheightap eig t] [-apazimapazim] [-ilazimxazini] [-clazi yazim] [-dzdz] [-smaxsjpax] [-pminpmij.] [-pmaxpmax] [-qmingmi n] [-qmaxgmax] [-threshthresh] [-fref -fref] [-startlinestartline] [-endlineendline] [-exppover] t-min] [-int] [-R] DESCRIPTION semb3d is read in 3D seismic data of time or depth post-stacking and generates appearance outputs, inclination and azimuth. ARGUMENTS OF THE CQMANPQS LINES semb3d obtains all its command line argument parameters. These arguments specify the parameters of input, output, window of spatial analysis and discretization of inclinations. In one embodiment of the invention the following command line arguments have been used: -Rfile-in Enter the name of the input data set or file immediately after typing -N. This input file must include the path name or full access if the file resides in a different directory.

Example: -N / export / data / 2san_juan / ti? Pe_stasír tells the program to look for the file "time_stack" in the directory = / export / data / 2 / san_juan. "Regarding this program, the data is stored as a reticle Rectangular data accumulated in a regular way The number of traces (indicated by the header word "Num-Trc") defines the number of traces in the "x" direction The number of records (seismic lines indicated by the word of header "NumRecN) defines the number of traces in the" y "direction. The missing data is filled with false traces signaled by means of a false trace head marker. Of i 1 e_out Enter the name of the multiple attribute data set of output or file immediately after typing -O. The attributes will be issued attached, line by line. Without scaling, the aspect c will be between 0.0 and 1.0. The tilt values will be between 0 and smax and will always be positive (pointing downwards). Units are given in ms / m (msec / ft) for time data, or m / m (ft / ft) for depth data. The azimuth f is perpendicular to the bearing and points in the direction of maximum positive tilt (pointing downwards). The azimuth values will be of the order of 0 to 360 degrees. Properly defined, an output azimuth of 0 degrees corresponds to the North, while a output azimuth of 90 degrees correspond to the East. The values of OMEGA = (d, f) can be chosen so that (when converted to an 8-bit integer) the 6 bits on the left correspond to a valid Seisworks color table. This color chart corresponds to the HLS color model described above and is generated using a program that represents in the map the angles explored in a HLS color map (hue, luminosity, saturation) of OMEGA = (d, f). -hls file_hle Enter -hls followed by the file name of the hls table to output a fixed ascii file containing the hue, brightness and saturation of each sample contained in the output. This file is entered in a program to generate a query table of RGB colors (from the English network, green, blue (red, green, blue)) necessary for an adequate visual representation in certain computer workstations or stations. -tstar s tart Enter -tstart followed by the start of the analysis window in milliseconds (ms). -tendtend Enter -tend followed by the end of the analysis window in ms. The output record will have a length (tend-tstart) sec. -ildmdx After -ildm enter the distance measure in line (trace separation) in m (ft). -cldmdy After -cldm enter the measure of distance transverse line (separation of lines) in m (ft). -dzdz After -dz enter the vertical depth sample increment in m (ft). A value of dz > 0 indicates that the data is of depth. -apienghta i ength After -aplength enter the length of half opening (in meters or feet) along the azimuth of the elliptical analysis window to be used. Increasing the analysis window by increasing aplength, apwidth will result in: (1) greater angular resolution, (2) reduced spatial resolution, (3) higher computing cost, and (4) lower overall coherence (since the approximation to a flat wave is less valid. -apwidthapwidtil After -apwidth enter half the width of half opening (in meters or feet) perpendicular to the azimuth of the elliptical window of analysis to be used. -apheightapheight After -apheight enter the half-length in milliseconds (or meters or feet) of the runtime integration window (depth) applied on the aspect. Example = ± 2 samples. By increasing the temporal integration window, apheight will result in: (1) a more uniform, less noisy response, (2) a lower vertical resolution, and (3) no change in computer cost. -apazimapazim After -apazi enter the azimuth of the elliptical analysis window (0 being North and 90 being East). -smaxsmax After -smax enter the maximum inclination to be checked in ms / m (msec / ft) for time data, or in m / m (ft / ft) for depth data. It is recommended when there is no preferential steering or steering in the data. This value can be read directly from a visual representation of the data section, smax will be of the order of 0.30 ms / m (10 msec / ft) for time data. Increasing the value of smax beyond any real inclination increases the computing cost in a considerable way for an identical result. -pminpmin After -pmin enter the minimum line slope (increasing the number of traces) to be checked in ms / m (msec / ft) for time data, or in m / m (ft / ft) for data of depth. This is recommended when there is a predominant direction of heading parallel or perpendicular to the acquisition lines of the data. This value can be read directly from a sectional representation of the data. -pmaxpmax After -pmax enter the maximum line slope (increasing the number of traces), to be checked, in ms / m (msec / ft) for time data, or in m / m (ft / ft) for depth data. This is recommended when there is a predominant direction of heading parallel or perpendicular to the data acquisition lines. This value can be read directly from a sectional representation of the data. -R Enter this argument from the command line to define a rectangular analysis window (2 * aplenght by 2 * apwidth) in front of an elliptical analysis window, oriented along the azimuth axis, -qmingmin After -qmin enter the line inclination minimum cross-section (increasing the number of lines), to be checked, in ms / m (msec / ft) for time data, or in m / m (ft / ft) for depth data. This is recommended when there is a predominant direction of heading parallel or perpendicular to the data acquisition lines. This value can be read directly from a sectional representation of the data, -qmaxgmax After -qmax enter the maximum line slope (increasing the number of lines), which is to be checked, in ms / m (msec / ft) to time data, or in m / m (ft / ft) for depth data. This is recommended when there is a predominant direction of heading parallel or perpendicular to the lines of acquisition of the data. This value can be read directly from a sectional representation of the data. -thresht resh After -thresh enter the threshold or cut aspect value, below which the tilt and azimuth are considered valid measurements; Shades or shades of gray will appear below this value. Some visual or graphic representation software limits the number of colors available for representation. -fref-fref After -fref enter the frequency of reference in cycles / second (Hz) for time data, or in cycles / km (cycles / kft) used to determine the number of inclinations or dips to be investigated (eg, fref = 60Hz for time data, 30 cycles / km for depth data). -ilazimiJazim After -ilazim enter azimuth online (being 0 degrees, the North, being 90 degrees East) which is the azimuth of increasing trace number. This value is used to calibrate an output file of solid angles, if used. -clazimcl azim After -clazim enter the cross-line azimuth (being 0 degrees, North, being 90 degrees East) which is the azimuth of numbers of increasing lines. This value is used to calibrate an output file of solid angles, if used, -exppower After -exp enter the exponent to be applied for aspectless scaling of the aspect. In general, most aspect / coherence values will be between 0.8 and 1.0. The scaling with power = 2.0 will graphically show these values between 0.64 and 1.0; scaling with power = 4.0 would graphically display these values between 0.41 and 1.0, and so on. It is useful to load data in a interpreting station. -start1inest art Une After -startline enter the first line of output that has to be generated. -endlineendline After -endline enter the last line of output that has to be generated. -min After -min enter this command line argument to extract the tilt, azimuth and aspect corresponding to the minimum aspect of the angles investigated. (Failing that, the program looks for the maximum aspect or coherence). -int Enter this command line argument to scale the output so that it can be represented by an 8-bit integer between -128 and +127. Useful to load data in an interpreting station.

Claims (50)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention is considered as a novelty, and therefore, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. Method for the exploration of hydrocarbons, which comprises the steps of: (a) obtaining a representing a set of seismic traces distributed over a predetermined three-dimensional volume of the earth with said volume of the earth having underground accidents characterized by inclination and inclination azimuth that are defined relative to a predetermined axis of measurement of the inclination azimuth; (b) dividing the three-dimensional volume into at least one horizontal time (interval) layer, and dividing said time layer into a plurality of three-dimensional analysis cells, in which each analysis cell has two mutually perpendicular lateral dimensions, predetermined, and has portions of at least five seismic traces, laterally separated, located therein; (c) calculating, within each of the analysis cells, a plurality of measures of the appearance of the traces located therein, where each aspect measure is at least as a function of time, the number of seismic traces within the analysis cell, and the apparent inclination and the azimuth of apparent inclination of the traces within the analysis cell; (d) identify, within each analysis cell, the largest of the calculated aspect measurements and define the apparent inclination and the apparent apparent slope azimuth as an estimate of the actual slope and an estimate of the azimuth of the actual slope of the seismic traces within the analysis cell; and (e) forming, from all the analysis cells, a visual representation of seismic attributes from the magnitude measurements calculated from appearance and the corresponding estimates of actual inclination and azimuth of actual inclination of the seismic traces within the referred layer of time. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that step (e) is executed by forming a color map that is characterized by hue, saturation and brightness where one of the following factors: azimuth estimates of actual inclination, estimates of actual inclination or calculated measures of greater magnitude of appearance are represented in one of the scales of luminosity, hue or saturation; where another of the factors of: azimuth estimates of actual inclination, estimates of actual inclination or calculated measures of greater magnitude of appearance are represented they sit on another of the scales of luminosity, hue or saturation; and where the remaining factor of: real inclination azimuth estimations, real inclination estimates or calculated measures of greater magnitude of appearance are represented in the remaining scale of luminosity, hue or saturation. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that step (e) is executed by representing the azimuth estimates of actual inclination in the nuance scale. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that step (e) is executed by representing the estimates of actual inclination in the saturation scale. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that step (e) is executed by representing the calculated measures of greater magnitude of appearance on a scale of luminosity. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the execution of step (c) each aspect measure is at least as a function of the energy of the traces, and because the energy of the traces is a function of time, the number of seismic traces within the analysis cell and the apparent inclination and azimuth of apparent inclination of the traces within the analysis cell. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that each aspect measurement is at least in function From: J (S uf (t, p, q, xi, y)) 2 and S uf (t, p, q,?,., yi) 2 j = lj = l JJJJ where each analysis cell contains portions of at least J (J >5) seismic traces; where x and y are distances measured from the center of the analysis cell; where p and q are the apparent inclinations and directions x and y respectively, and where u ^ (t, p, q, x, y) is a seismic trace within the analysis cell; and because the real inclination d and the azimuth of depth f are related to p and q as p = d senf and q = d cosf. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that each aspect measure is a function of: J 9. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that each aspect measurement corresponding to each inclination, inclination azimuth and analysis point is flattened by performing a sliding window time integration on the partial sums of -K to + K: + K S 1 S [uf (t + k? T,]?, Q, x, y ±) Y k = -k j = l J J + KJSS [uf (t + k? T, p, q, x., Y.,)] 'Kc == - KK jj == l JJ where K is half the width of the time window in samples . Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the traces within the analysis cells are characterized by a maximum inclination and a maximum temporal frequency component, and because step (c) includes the steps of: obtaining an estimate of the inclination maximum real and the maximum temporal frequency component of the traces of the analysis cell; use the maximum actual inclination, the maximum temporal frequency and the predetermined lateral dimensions of the analysis cell to calculate apparent inclination increments in two generally perpendicular directions with respect to the inclination azimuth measurement axis. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the execution of step (c) said measurement is at least in function of: . { S. { utr-ípx. + qy ^]} 2 j = l 3 where J is the number of traces in the analysis cell; where u- (t, p, q) is a representation of the seismic trace in the analysis cell; where r is time, p is the apparent inclination in the x direction, and q is the apparent inclination in the y direction; where p and q are measured in ms / m and the directions x and y are mutually perpendicular. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that in the execution of step (c) said measure is also a function of: JS (ut- (p? + Qui)].}. 2 j = l JJ 13. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the execution of step (c) said measure is a function of: J 14. Method for locating accidents, faults and underground contours that includes the steps of: (a) accessing 3D seismic data covering a predetermined volume of the earth; (b) dividing the said volume into a formation of three-dimensional, relatively small cells, where each of the cells is characterized by at least five seismic traces, laterally separated and generally vertical, located therein; (c) determining, in each of the cells, the appearance / similarity of the traces with respect to the two predetermined directions; and (d) recording the appearance / similarity of the cells in a form for visual or graphic representation as a two-dimensional map of underground accidents. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that, in the execution of step (c), said predetermined directions are mutually perpendicular, and the appearance / similarity of the traces, within each cell, is a function of minus the time, the number of seismic traces within the analysis cell and the apparent inclination and azimuth of apparent inclination of the traces within the analysis cell. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the appearance / similarity of the traces, within each cell, is determined by calculating the plurality of measurements of the appearance / similarity of the traces within each cell and choosing the largest of the aspect measurements / similarity of each cell, and because step (c) also includes the step of defining the apparent inclination and the apparent inclination azimuth corresponding to the largest of the measurements as an estimate of the actual inclination and the azimuth of the actual inclination of the seismic traces inside the analysis cell. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that each one of the plurality of appearance / similarity measurements is at least as a function of the energy of the traces, and because the energy of the traces is a function of time, the number of seismic traces within the analysis cell and the apparent inclination and azimuth of apparent inclination of the traces within the analysis cell. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that the map is a color map characterized by hue, saturation and luminosity; where one of the following factors: real inclination azimuth estimates, real inclination estimates or magnitude measures calculated from aspect is represented in one of the luminosity, hue or saturation scale; where another of the factors of: azimuth estimates of actual inclination, estimates of actual inclination or measures of greater magnitude calculated from appearance is represented in another of the luminosity, hue or saturation scales. tion; and where the remaining factor of: azimuth estimates of actual inclination, estimates of actual inclination or measures of magnitude calculated from appearance is represented in the remaining scale of luminosity, hue or saturation. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that step (d) comprises the steps of: representing the actual inclination azimuth estimates in the nuance scale; represent the estimates of actual inclination of the saturation scale, and represent the largest magnitude measurements calculated on a luminance scale. 20. In seismic exploration, in which are recorded, as a function of time, 3D seismic data comprising reflected seismic energy and in which a computer is used that is programmed to process the referred seismic traces and to produce an image from the same that is representative of underground accidents, an article of manufacture that includes: a means readable by a computer and bearer of instructions for the computer to perform a process that includes the steps of: (a) accessing 3D seismic data on a volume predetermined earth, the aforementioned seismic traces comprising time, position and amplitude; and (b) determining the similarity of nearby regions of the 3D seismic data of said volume: (1) dividing at least a portion of the data into a formation of three-dimensional, relatively small, adjacent analysis cells, where each of the Analysis cells contain portions of at least five seismic traces; and (2) calculating a seismic attribute for each cell that is a function of the largest of a plurality of aspect measurements and the corresponding apparent inclination and corresponding apparent inclination azimuth. 21. The article of manufacture according to claim 20, characterized in that said means carries instructions for the computer to execute step (2) taking measurements of appearance that are a function of: JS u [t- (p? + Qy . :)] j = l JJ where x and y are distances measured from the center of the analysis cell along mutually perpendicular axes x and y; where J traces is the number of seismic traces; where u- (r, p, q) represents a seismic trace; where r is time, p is the apparent inclination in the x direction, and g is the apparent inclination in the y direction; and where p and q are measured in ms / meter. 22. The article of manufacture according to claim 21, characterized in that said means is a carrier of instructions for the computer to execute step (2) taking measurements of the aspect that is also a function of: 23. Manufacturing article according to claim 21, characterized in that said means is carrier of instructions for the computer to execute step (1) forming analysis cells having an elliptical cross section. 24. The article of manufacture according to claim 23, characterized in that the predetermined volume is characterized by a fracture having a determinable direction, and because the medium is a carrier of instructions for the computer to form analysis cells generally elliptical in shape and they have their major axes aligned in the direction of the fracture. 25. In seismic exploration in which the reflected seismic energy is recorded as a function of time to produce a series of seismic traces, a method comprising the steps of: (a) access to a set of seismic trace data distributed over a three-dimensional volume of the earth, said volume of the earth having underground accidents characterized by inclination and inclination azimuth; (b) calculating a plurality of measures of aspect of the traces within a relatively small three-dimensional analysis cell that is located within said volume and in a part of a predetermined time layer, where each aspect measurement is at least function of time, the number of seismic traces within the analysis cell and the apparent inclination and azimuth of apparent inclination of the traces within the analysis cell; (c) calculating a seismic attribute corresponding to the analysis cell that is at least as a function of the largest of said plurality of calculated aspect measurements and the corresponding apparent inclination and the corresponding apparent inclination azimuth, where the corresponding apparent inclination and the corresponding apparent inclination azimuth are defined as estimates of the actual inclination and the actual inclination azimuth of the seismic traces within the analysis cell; (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) along other parts of the time layer; and (e) form a map of the aforementioned attributes seismic over the time layer. Method according to claim 25, characterized in that step (a) comprises the steps of: (1) accessing 3D seismic data on a predetermined volume of the earth, comprising the seismic data 3D at least eleven seismic traces that are characterized by time, position and amplitude; and (2) dividing a portion of said volume into at least one time layer comprising a formation of three-dimensional, relatively small cubes containing at least five seismic traces, and whose cubes are used as cells to execute the step ( b) Method according to claim 26, characterized in that in the execution of step (b) each aspect measure is a function of: where each analysis cell contains portions of at least J seismic traces, where J is at least 5; where x and y are distances measured from the center of the analysis cell along mutually perpendicular x and y axes; where p and q are the apparent inclinations in the directions x and y; where uf (t, p, q, x, y) represents a seismic trace within the analysis cell, and where the actual inclination d and the inclination azimuth r are related to p and q as p = d sin (r) and q = d cos (f). Method according to claim 27, characterized in that each aspect measurement corresponding to each inclination, inclination azimuth and analysis point is flattened by forming a displacement window time integration on partial sums of a time window within the time layer horizontal. 29. Seismic exploration method, comprising the steps of: (a) reading a set of 3D seismic data comprising traces of seismic signals that are distributed over a volume of the earth; (b) choosing at least one horizon cut of the volume and forming in the same cells disposed in rows and columns directed laterally, each of the cells having at least five seismic traces that generally pass through it; (c) calculating, for each of the cells: (1) a plurality of trace aspect measurements, in which each measurement is at least as a function of time, the number of seismic traces within the analysis cell and the apparent inclination and the azimuth of apparent inclination of the traces; (2) the largest of said plurality of aspect measurements; and (3) an estimate of the actual inclination and an estimate of the azimuth of the actual inclination of the seismic traces within the analysis cell from the apparent inclination and the apparent inclination azimuth corresponding to the aspect measurement of greatest magnitude.; and (d) displaying graphically or visually, on said horizon cut or cuts, representations of the measurements of greater magnitude of aspect and the estimated real inclinations and the azimuths of estimated real inclinations of each one of the cells. 30. Method according to claim 29, characterized in that step (b) is executed by choosing a horizon cut that is characterized by a common time, and because step (d) is executed by displaying it visually or graphically, through said interval of time. time, representations of the largest magnitude aspect measurements and the estimated real inclinations and azimuths of estimated actual inclinations of the cells. 31. Method according to claim 29, characterized in that step (d) is carried out forming a color map that is characterized by hue, saturation and brightness, in the which, for each of the cells: where one of the following factors: real inclination azimuth estimations, real inclination estimates or calculated measurements of greater magnitude of appearance is represented in one of the scales of luminosity, hue or saturation; where another one of the factors of: estimates of azimuth of real inclination, estimates of real inclination or calculated measurements of greater magnitude of appearance is represented in another one of the scales of luminosity, hue or saturation; and where the remaining factors of: real inclination azimuth estimates, real inclination estimates or calculated measurements of greater magnitude of appearance are represented in the remaining scale of luminosity, hue or saturation. 32. In the exploration of gas and crude oil in which seismic traces are recorded on a volume of earth, a method comprising the steps of: (a) grouping at least parts of at least five relatively close seismic traces into a plurality of relatively small three-dimensional analysis cells; (b) perform, in each of the cells, a plurality of measurements of the aspect of the aforementioned parts of the traces in function of at least the time, the number of traces in them, the apparent inclination of the traces and the azimuth of apparent inclination; (c) identifying, in each of the cells, the measurement of greater magnitude of said plurality of measurements of aspect, corresponding apparent inclination and corresponding inclination azimuth; and (d) convert the measurements of greater magnitude of appearance, the corresponding inclination and the corresponding inclination azimuth of the cells into attributes of hue, saturation and luminosity, where, for each cell: where one of the following factors: estimates of the said inclination azimuth, estimates of the actual inclination or measurements of greater magnitude of appearance is represented in one of the scales of luminosity, hue or saturation; where another of the following factors: inclination azimuth estimates, estimates of actual inclination or measurements of greater magnitude of appearance is represented in another of the luminosity, hue or saturation scales; and where the remaining factor of: inclination azimuth estimations, estimates of the actual inclination or measurements of greater magnitude of appearance is represented in the remaining scale of luminosity, hue or saturation. 33. Device adapted to be used in a computer workstation or station, in which 3D seismic data are read in memory and processed in a visual or graphic color representation of underground accidents, comprising: computer readable media carrying instructions for a process comprising the steps of: (1) digitally locating the 3D seismic data in a relatively small three-dimensional cell formation, in which each of the cells contains representations of a part of at least five seismic traces; (2) calculate, for each of the cells, an estimate of the aspect, an estimate of the actual inclination and an estimate of the actual inclination azimuth of the aforementioned parts; and (3) convert the aspect estimates, the actual inclination estimates and the actual inclination azimuth estimates into a set of digital values corresponding to the attributes of hue, saturation and luminosity. 34. Device according to claim 33, characterized in that one of the aforementioned factors: real inclination azimuth estimations, real inclination estimates or aspect estimates, is represented in one of the scales of luminosity, hue or saturation, for each of the cells; because other factors of: estimates of real inclination azimuth, estimates of real inclination or calculated measures of greater magnitude of appearance are represented in another of the scales of luminosity, hue or saturation; and because the remaining factor of: azimuth estimates of actual inclination, estimates of actual inclination or calculated measures of greater magnitude of appearance are represented in the remaining scale of luminosity, hue or saturation. 35. Device according to claim 33, characterized in that the computer-readable media are bearers of instructions to execute step (2): (i) calculating a plurality of aspect measurements relative to at least two directions and choosing the largest the measures; (ii) choosing the apparent inclination corresponding to the measurement of greater magnitude of aspect of step (i); and (iii) choosing the apparent inclination azimuth corresponding to the measurement of greatest aspect magnitude of step (i). 36. Device according to claim 33, characterized in that the computer-readable media are chosen from the group consisting of a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, an optical disk or a CD-ROM. 37. Method for prospecting hydrocarbon deposits or deposits, comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining a visual or graphic representation of seismic attributes in color of 3D seismic data corresponding to a predetermined three-dimensional volume of the earth, said visual or graphic representation being generated using data obtained by a computer and at least by a program for the computer that give instructions for the computer to execute the following steps: (1) convert said volume into a three-dimensional cell formation, relatively small, where each of the cells has a portion of at least five seismic traces located in them; (2) taking a plurality of aspect measurements, within each of the cells, where each measurement is at least as a function of time, the number of seismic traces within the cell, the apparent inclination of the traces and the azimuth of apparent inclination of the traces; (3) choosing the largest of the plurality of aspect measurements of each cell; (4) use, as an estimate of the actual inclination and as an estimate of the actual inclination azimuth, in each cell, the apparent inclination and the inclination azimuth apparent that they correspond to the aspect measurement of greater magnitude in the cell; (5) represent the azimuth estimates of actual inclination on a nuance scale; (6) represent the estimates of actual inclination on a saturation scale; and (7) representing the calculated measurements of greater magnitude of appearance on a luminosity scale; and (b) use color representation to identify subsurface structural and sedimentological accidents commonly associated with the retention and accumulation of hydrocarbons. 38. Method according to claim 37, characterized in that it also includes the step of using the map to identify survey risks. 39. Method according to claim 38, characterized in that it also includes the step of drilling in a place identified in step (b). 40. Method according to claim 37, characterized in that step (a) (2) comprises the step of calculating: S u [t- (pxi + qy.)] J = l J J where each cell is characterized by two perpendicular dimensions, where x and y are distances measured from from the center of the cell along mutually perpendicular x and e axes; where J is the number of seismic traces; where u- (t, p, q) represents a seismic trace; where r is time, p is the apparent inclination in the x direction and where q is the apparent inclination in the y direction. 41. Method according to claim 40, characterized in that step (a) (2) comprises the step of calculating: JIS u [t- (p? + Qy,)] 12 j = l JJ 42. Map for the exploration of crude oil and gas, comprising: (a) a generally flat medium for recording color images, visually perceptible thereon, characterizing the color images by hue, saturation and luminosity; and (b) a plurality of images in said medium which are representative of the appearance, actual inclination and azimuth of the actual inclination of 3D seismic data from a predetermined volume of the earth, where the actual inclination azimuth is represented in a scale of nuances; where the actual inclination is represented on a saturation scale and the appearance is represented on a scale of luminosity. 43. Map according to claim 42, characterized because the aforementioned volume is representative of an areal (zonal) formation of three-dimensional cells; because each of the cells contains a representation of parts of at least five seismic traces; because each one of the images corresponds to one of the cells; because the appearance of the traces within each cell is determined by taking a plurality of measurements of the appearance of the traces within each cell and selecting the largest of the measurements; because aspect measurement is at least as a function of time, the number of seismic traces within the cell and the apparent inclination and azimuth of apparent inclination of the traces; because the actual inclination of each cell is represented by the apparent inclination corresponding to the measurement of greater magnitude of the said aspect measurements; and because the actual inclination azimuth is represented by the apparent inclination azimuth corresponding to the measurement of greater magnitude of the said aspect measurements. 44. Map according to claim 43, characterized in that the aspect is measured according to: where x and y are distances measured from the center of the cell along mutually perpendicular axes x and y; where J is the number of seismic traces located in them; where u (t, p, q) represents a seismic trace; where r is time, p is the apparent inclination in the x direction and where q is the apparent inclination in the y direction. 45. Map according to claim 44, characterized in that the aspect is measured according to: 46. Map according to claim 42, characterized in that said means is the screen of a cathode ray tube. 47. In a computer workstation or station where 3D seismic data obtained on a predetermined three-dimensional volume of the earth are read in memory; where a computer divides the referred volume into a formation of three-dimensional analysis cells; where each cell has at least a portion of five laterally separated seismic traces located therein, and where the computer is used to transform said data into a visual or graphic representation of seismic attributes, the computer characterized in that it performs a process comprising the steps of: (1) calculating, in each of the cells, an aspect value corresponding to the seismic traces, whose aspect value is at least as a function of time, the number of seismic traces within the cell, the apparent inclination of the traces and the azimuth of apparent inclination of the traces; and (2) graphically or visually represent the aspect value of each cell that falls between two planes within the 3D volume to identify subsurface accidents commonly associated with the retention and accumulation of hydrocarbons. 48. Computer workstation or station according to claim 47, characterized in that the computer executes step (1): taking a plurality of aspect measurements within each of the cells, and choosing the largest of the plurality of measurements as a value of the cell's appearance. 49. Computer workstation or station according to claim 48, characterized in that after executing step (1) the computer executes the step of: using the apparent inclination and the apparent inclination azimuth corresponding to the measurement of greater magnitude of aspect in the cell as an estimate of the actual inclination and as an estimate of the actual inclination azimuth of the cell. 50. A computer workstation or station according to claim 49, characterized in that the visual or graphic representation of step (2) is characterized by components of hue color, saturation and brightness, and because step (2) comprises the steps of representing the estimation of the actual inclination azimuth, for each cell, on a scale of shades; represent the real inclination estimation corresponding to each cell on a saturation scale, and represent the calculated measures of greater magnitude of appearance on a scale of luminosity. SUMMARY A method, a map and an article of manufacture for the exploration of hydrocarbons. In an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the steps of: accessing 3D seismic data; divide the data into a relatively small three-dimensional cell array; determine, in each cell, the appearance / similarity, the inclination and the inclination azimuth of the seismic traces contained in them, and visualize or graphically the inclination, azimuth of inclination and appearance / similarity of each cell in the form of a map bidi ensional. In one embodiment, the appearance / similarity is a function of time, the number of seismic traces within the cell and the apparent inclination and azimuth of apparent inclination of the traces within the cell; the appearance / similarity of a cell is determined by taking a plurality of measurements of the appearance / similarity of the traces within the cell and choosing the largest of the measurements. In addition, the apparent inclination and the apparent inclination azimuth, corresponding to the greater measurement of appearance / similarity in the cell, are considered as estimates of the real inclination and the azimuth of real inclination of the traces contained therein. A color map, characterized by hue, saturation and luminosity, is used to represent the aspect / similarity, the actual inclination azimuth and the actual inclination of each cell; the azimuth of real inclination is represented in the scale of shades, the actual inclination is represented in the saturation scale and the measurement of greater magnitude of appearance / similarity is represented in the scale of luminosity of the map in color.