A simple method for resolving large converted‐wave (P-SV) statics

Geophysics ◽  
1993 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 429-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter W. Cary ◽  
David W. S. Eaton

The processing of converted‐wave (P-SV) seismic data requires certain special considerations, such as commonconversion‐point (CCP) binning techniques (Tessmer and Behle, 1988) and a modified normal moveout formula (Slotboom, 1990), that makes it different for processing conventional P-P data. However, from the processor’s perspective, the most problematic step is often the determination of residual S‐wave statics, which are commonly two to ten times greater than the P‐wave statics for the same location (Tatham and McCormack, 1991). Conventional residualstatics algorithms often produce numerous cycle skips when attempting to resolve very large statics. Unlike P‐waves, the velocity of S‐waves is virtually unaffected by near‐surface fluctuations in the water table (Figure 1). Hence, the P‐wave and S‐wave static solutions are largely unrelated to each other, so it is generally not feasible to approximate the S‐wave statics by simply scaling the known P‐wave static values (Anno, 1986).


Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (3) ◽  
pp. D101-D116
Author(s):  
Julius K. von Ketelhodt ◽  
Musa S. D. Manzi ◽  
Raymond J. Durrheim ◽  
Thomas Fechner

Joint P- and S-wave measurements for tomographic cross-borehole analysis can offer more reliable interpretational insight concerning lithologic and geotechnical parameter variations compared with P-wave measurements on their own. However, anisotropy can have a large influence on S-wave measurements, with the S-wave splitting into two modes. We have developed an inversion for parameters of transversely isotropic with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI) media. Our inversion is based on the traveltime perturbation equation, using cross-gradient constraints to ensure structural similarity for the resulting VTI parameters. We first determine the inversion on a synthetic data set consisting of P-waves and vertically and horizontally polarized S-waves. Subsequently, we evaluate inversion results for a data set comprising jointly measured P-waves and vertically and horizontally polarized S-waves that were acquired in a near-surface ([Formula: see text]) aquifer environment (the Safira research site, Germany). The inverted models indicate that the anisotropy parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] are close to zero, with no P-wave anisotropy present. A high [Formula: see text] ratio of up to nine causes considerable SV-wave anisotropy despite the low magnitudes for [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The SH-wave anisotropy parameter [Formula: see text] is estimated to be between 0.05 and 0.15 in the clay and lignite seams. The S-wave splitting is confirmed by polarization analysis prior to the inversion. The results suggest that S-wave anisotropy may be more severe than P-wave anisotropy in near-surface environments and should be taken into account when interpreting cross-borehole S-wave data.



1989 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 257
Author(s):  
D.R. Miles ◽  
G. Gassaway ◽  
L. Bennett ◽  
R. Brown

Three-component (3-C) amplitude versus offset (AVO) inversion is the AVO analysis of the three major energies in the seismic data, P-waves, S-waves and converted waves. For each type of energy the reflection coefficients at the boundary are a function of the contrast across the boundary in velocity, density and Poisson's ratio, and of the angle of incidence of the incoming wave. 3-C AVO analysis exploits these relationships to analyse the AVO changes in the P, S, and converted waves. 3-C AVO analysis is generally done on P, S, and converted wave data collected from a single source on 3-C geophones. Since most seismic sources generate both P and S-waves, it follows that most 3-C seismic data may be used in 3-C AVO inversion. Processing of the P-wave, S-wave and converted wave gathers is nearly the same as for single-component P-wave gathers. In split-spread shooting, the P-wave and S-wave energy on the radial component is one polarity on the forward shot and the opposite polarity on the back shot. Therefore to use both sides of the shot, the back shot must be rotated 180 degrees before it can be stacked with the forward shot. The amplitude of the returning energy is a function of all three components, not just the vertical or radial, so all three components must be stacked for P-waves, then for S-waves, and finally for converted waves. After the gathers are processed, reflectors are picked and the amplitudes are corrected for free-surface effects, spherical divergence and the shot and geophone array geometries. Next the P and S-wave interval velocities are calculated from the P and S-wave moveouts. Then the amplitude response of the P and S-wave reflections are analysed to give Poisson's ratio. The two solutions are then compared and adjusted until they match each other and the data. Three-component AVO inversion not only yields information about the lithologies and pore-fluids at a specific location; it also provides the interpreter with good correlations between the P-waves and the S-waves, and between the P and converted waves, thus greatly expanding the value of 3-C seismic data.



Geophysics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. D283-D291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Liu ◽  
Wenxiao Qiao ◽  
Xiaohua Che ◽  
Xiaodong Ju ◽  
Junqiang Lu ◽  
...  

We have developed a new 3D acoustic logging tool (3DAC). To examine the azimuthal resolution of 3DAC, we have evaluated a 3D finite-difference time-domain model to simulate a case in which the borehole penetrated a rock formation boundary when the tool worked at the azimuthal-transmitting-azimuthal-receiving mode. The results indicated that there were two types of P-waves with different slowness in waveforms: the P-wave of the harder rock (P1) and the P-wave of the softer rock (P2). The P1-wave can be observed in each azimuthal receiver, but the P2-wave appears only in the azimuthal receivers toward the softer rock. When these two types of rock are both fast formations, two types of S-waves also exist, and they have better azimuthal sensitivity compared with P-waves. The S-wave of the harder rock (S1) appears only in receivers toward the harder rock, and the S-wave of the softer rock (S2) appears only in receivers toward the softer rock. A model was simulated in which the boundary between shale and sand penetrated the borehole but not the borehole axis. The P-wave of shale and the S-wave of sand are azimuthally sensitive to the azimuth angle variation of two formations. In addition, waveforms obtained from 3DAC working at the monopole-transmitting-azimuthal-receiving mode indicate that the corresponding P-waves and S-waves are azimuthally sensitive, too. Finally, we have developed a field example of 3DAC to support our simulation results: The azimuthal variation of the P-wave slowness was observed and can thus be used to reflect the azimuthal heterogeneity of formations.



Geophysics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (5) ◽  
pp. T221-T231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine E. Krohn ◽  
Thomas J. Murray

The top 6 m of the near surface has a surprisingly large effect on the behavior of P- and S-waves. For unconsolidated sediments, the P-wave velocity gradient and attenuation can be quite large. Computer modeling should include these properties to accurately reproduce seismic effects of the near surface. We have used reverse VSP data and computer simulations to demonstrate the following effects for upgoing P-waves. Near the surface, we have observed a large time delay, indicating low velocity ([Formula: see text]), and considerable pulse broadening, indicating high attenuation ([Formula: see text]). Consequently, shallowly buried geophones have greater high-frequency bandwidth compared with surface geophones. In addition, there is a large velocity gradient in the shallow near surface (factor of 10 in 5 m), resulting in the rotation of P-waves to the vertical with progressively smaller amplitudes recorded on horizontal phones. Finally, we have found little indication of a reflection or ghost from the surface, although downgoing reflections have been observed from interfaces within the near surface. In comparison, the following have been observed for upgoing S-waves: There is a small increase in the time delay or pulse broadening near the surface, indicating a smaller velocity gradient and less change in attenuation. In addition, the surface reflection coefficient is nearly one with a prominent surface ghost.



Geophysics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 470-479 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. F. Winterstein ◽  
B. N. P. Paulsson

Crosshole and vertical seismic profile (VST) data made possible accurate characterization of the elastic properties, including noticeable velocity anisotropy, of a near‐surface late Tertiary shale formation. Shear‐wave splitting was obvious in both crosshole and VSP data. In crosshole data, two orthologonally polarrized shear (S) waves arrived 19 ms in the uppermost 246 ft (75 m). Vertically traveling S waves of the VSP separated about 10 ms in the uppermost 300 ft (90 m) but remained at nearly constant separation below that level. A transversely isotropic model, which incorporates a rapid increase in S-wave velocities with depth but slow increase in P-wave velocities, closely fits the data over most of the measured interval. Elastic constants of the transvesely isotropic model show spherical P- and [Formula: see text]wave velocity surfaces but an ellipsoidal [Formula: see text]wave surface with a ratio of major to minor axes of 1.15. The magnitude of this S-wave anisotropy is consistent with and lends credence to S-wave anisotropy magnitudes deduced less directly from data of many sedimentary basins.



Geophysics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 68 (1) ◽  
pp. 40-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert R. Stewart ◽  
James E. Gaiser ◽  
R. James Brown ◽  
Don C. Lawton

Converted seismic waves (specifically, downgoing P‐waves that convert on reflection to upcoming S‐waves are increasingly being used to explore for subsurface targets. Rapid advancements in both land and marine multicomponent acquisition and processing techniques have led to numerous applications for P‐S surveys. Uses that have arisen include structural imaging (e.g., “seeing” through gas‐bearing sediments, improved fault definition, enhanced near‐surface resolution), lithologic estimation (e.g., sand versus shale content, porosity), anisotropy analysis (e.g., fracture density and orientation), subsurface fluid description, and reservoir monitoring. Further applications of P‐S data and analysis of other more complicated converted modes are developing.



Geophysics ◽  
1992 ◽  
Vol 57 (11) ◽  
pp. 1444-1452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guy W. Purnell

High‐velocity layers (HVLs) often hinder seismic imaging of deeper reflectors using conventional techniques. A major factor is often the unusual energy partitioning of waves incident at an HVL boundary from lower‐velocity material. Using elastic physical modeling, I demonstrate that one effect of this factor is to limit the range of dips beneath an HVL that can be imaged using unconverted P‐wave arrivals. At the same time, however, partitioning may also result in P‐waves outside the HVL coupling efficiently with S‐waves inside. By exploiting some of the waves that convert upon transmission into and/or out of the physical‐model HVL, I am able to image a much broader range of underlying dips. This is accomplished by acoustic migration tailored (via the migration velocities used) for selected families of converted‐wave arrivals.



Geophysics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. S103-S113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Sun ◽  
George A. McMechan ◽  
Han-Hsiang Chuang

The reflected P- and S-waves in elastic displacement component data recorded at the earth’s surface are separated by reverse-time (downward) extrapolation of the data in an elastic computational model, followed by calculations to give divergence (dilatation) and curl (rotation) at a selected reference depth. The surface data are then reconstructed by separate forward-time (upward) scalar extrapolations, from the reference depth, of the magnitude of the divergence and curl wavefields, and extraction of the separated P- and S-waves, respectively, at the top of the models. A P-wave amplitude will change by a factor that is inversely proportional to the P-velocity when it is transformed from displacement to divergence, and an S-wave amplitude will change by a factor that is inversely proportional to the S-velocity when it is transformed from displacement to curl. Consequently, the ratio of the P- to the S-wave amplitude (the P-S amplitude ratio) in the form of divergence and curl (postseparation) is different from that in the (preseparation) displacement form. This distortion can be eliminated by multiplying the separated S-wave (curl) by a relative balancing factor (which is the S- to P-velocity ratio); thus, the postseparation P-S amplitude ratio can be returned to that in the preseparation data. The absolute P- and S-wave amplitudes are also recoverable by multiplying them by a factor that depends on frequency, on the P-velocity α, and on the unit of α and is location-dependent if the near-surface P-velocity is not constant.



2018 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 00019
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Hubicka ◽  
Jakub Sokolowski

Seismic event consists of surface waves and body waves. Due to the fact that the body waves are faster (P-waves) and more energetic (S-waves) in literature the problem of their analysis is taken more often. The most universal information that is received from the recorded wave is its moment of arrival. When this information is obtained from at least four seismometers in different locations, the epicentre of the particular event can be estimated [1]. Since the recorded body waves may overlap in signal, the problem of wave onset moment is considered more often for faster P-wave than S-wave. This however does not mean that the issue of S-wave arrival time is not taken at all. As the process of manual picking is time-consuming, methods of automatic detection are recommended (these however may be less accurate). In this paper four recently developed methods estimating S-wave arrival are compared: the method operating on empirical mode decomposition and Teager-Kaiser operator [2], the modification of STA/LTA algorithm [3], the method using a nearest neighbour-based approach [4] and the algorithm operating on characteristic of signals’ second moments. The methods will be also compared to wellknown algorithm based on the autoregressive model [5]. The algorithms will be tested in terms of their S-wave arrival identification accuracy on real data originating from International Research Institutions for Seismology (IRIS) database.



1974 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
pp. 1621-1627 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Savage

abstract A comprehensive set of body-wave spectra has been calculated for the Haskell fault model generalized to a circular fault surface. These spectra are used to show that in practice the P-wave corner frequency (ƒp) may exceed the S-wave corner frequency (ƒs) when near-sonic or transonic rupture propagation obtains. The explanation appears to be that in such cases ƒs is so large that it is not identified within the recorded band, but rather a secondary corner is mistaken for ƒs. As a consequence of failing to detect the true asymptotic trend, the high-frequency falloff of the spectrum with frequency is substantially less for S waves than for P waves. This explanation appears to be consistent with the demonstration by Molnar, Tucker, and Brune (1973) that ƒp may exceed ƒs.



Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document