AVO in transversely Isotropic media—An overview

Geophysics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (5) ◽  
pp. 775-781 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. P. Blangy
Keyword(s):  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
Shear Velocity ◽  
Velocity Shear ◽  
Type I ◽  
Amplitude Variation With Offset ◽  
Type Iii ◽  
Transversely Isotropic Media ◽  
Isotropic Media ◽  
Compressional Velocity ◽  
Ti Media

The amplitude variation with offset (AVO) responses of elastic transversely isotropic media are sensitive to contrasts in both of Thomsen’s anisotropic parameters δ and ε. The equation describing P-P reflections indicates that the smaller the contrasts in isotropic properties (compressional velocity, shear velocity, and density) and the larger the contrasts in δ and ε across an interface of reflection, the greater the effects of anisotropy on the AVO signature. Contrasts in δ are most important under small‐to‐medium angles of incidence as previously described by Banik (1987), while contrasts in ε can have a strong influence on amplitudes for the larger angles of incidence commonly encountered in exploration (20 degrees and beyond). Consequently, using Rutherford and Williams’ AVO classification of isotropic gas sands, type I gas sands overlain by a transversely isotropic (TI) shale exhibit a larger decrease in AVO than if the shale had been isotropic, and type III gas sands overlain by a transversely isotropic (TI) shale exhibit a larger increase in AVO than if the shale had been isotropic. Furthermore, it is possible for a “type III” isotropic water sand to exhibit an “unexpected) increase in AVO if the overlying shale is sufficiently anisotropic. More quantitative AVO interpretations in TI media require considerations of viscoelastic TI in addition to elastic TI and lead to complicated integrated earth models. However, when elastic and viscoelastic TI have the same axis of symmetry in a shale overlying an isotropic sand, both elastic and viscoelastic TI affect the overall AVO response in the same direction by constructively increasing/decreasing the isotropic component of the AVO response. Continued efforts in this area will lead to more realistic reservoir models and hopefully answer some of the unexplained pitfalls in AVO interpretation.

scholarly journals Traveltime approximations for transversely isotropic media with an inhomogeneous background

Geophysics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. WA31-WA42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tariq Alkhalifah
Keyword(s):  
Symmetry Axis ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Transversely Isotropic Media ◽  
Higher Order Terms ◽  
Isotropic Media ◽  
Axis Of Symmetry ◽  
Series Type ◽  
Ti Media ◽  
Taylor’S Series

A transversely isotropic (TI) model with a tilted symmetry axis is regarded as one of the most effective approximations to the Earth subsurface, especially for imaging purposes. However, we commonly utilize this model by setting the axis of symmetry normal to the reflector. This assumption may be accurate in many places, but deviations from this assumption will cause errors in the wavefield description. Using perturbation theory and Taylor’s series, I expand the solutions of the eikonal equation for 2D TI media with respect to the independent parameter [Formula: see text], the angle the tilt of the axis of symmetry makes with the vertical, in a generally inhomogeneous TI background with a vertical axis of symmetry. I do an additional expansion in terms of the independent (anellipticity) parameter [Formula: see text] in a generally inhomogeneous elliptically anisotropic background medium. These new TI traveltime solutions are given by expansions in [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] with coefficients extracted from solving linear first-order partial differential equations. Pade approximations are used to enhance the accuracy of the representation by predicting the behavior of the higher-order terms of the expansion. A simplification of the expansion for homogenous media provides nonhyperbolic moveout descriptions of the traveltime for TI models that are more accurate than other recently derived approximations. In addition, for 3D media, I develop traveltime approximations using Taylor’s series type of expansions in the azimuth of the axis of symmetry. The coefficients of all these expansions can also provide us with the medium sensitivity gradients (Jacobian) for nonlinear tomographic-based inversion for the tilt in the symmetry axis.

scholarly journals Mapping moveout approximations in TI media

Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
pp. C19-C26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexey Stovas ◽  
Tariq Alkhalifah
Keyword(s):  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Accurate Approximation ◽  
Seismic Modeling ◽  
Effective Parameters ◽  
Transversely Isotropic Media ◽  
Vertical Heterogeneity ◽  
Isotropic Media ◽  
Axis Of Symmetry ◽  
Ti Media

Moveout approximations play a very important role in seismic modeling, inversion, and scanning for parameters in complex media. We developed a scheme to map one-way moveout approximations for transversely isotropic media with a vertical axis of symmetry (VTI), which is widely available, to the tilted case (TTI) by introducing the effective tilt angle. As a result, we obtained highly accurate TTI moveout equations analogous with their VTI counterparts. Our analysis showed that the most accurate approximation is obtained from the mapping of generalized approximation. The new moveout approximations allow for, as the examples demonstrate, accurate description of moveout in the TTI case even for vertical heterogeneity. The proposed moveout approximations can be easily used for inversion in a layered TTI medium because the parameters of these approximations explicitly depend on corresponding effective parameters in a layered VTI medium.

scholarly journals Impact of poroelastic effects on the inversion of fracture properties from amplitude variation with offset and azimuth data in horizontal transversely isotropic media

Geophysics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (5) ◽  
pp. N27-N39
Author(s):  
Nicolás D. Barbosa ◽  
Corinna Köpke ◽  
Eva Caspari ◽  
J. Germán Rubino ◽  
James Irving ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
Single Frequency ◽  
Amplitude Variation ◽  
Frequency Dependent ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Amplitude Variation With Offset ◽  
Transversely Isotropic Media ◽  
Isotropic Media ◽  
Wave Induced

The identification and characterization of fractures is an important objective in many areas of earth and environmental sciences. Amplitude variation with offset and azimuth (AVOAz) analysis of seismic reflection data is a key method for achieving these tasks. Theoretical and experimental studies have shown that the presence of pore fluids together with the strong mechanical contrast between the fractures and their embedding background give rise to wave-induced fluid flow (WIFF) effects. This implies that the effective stiffness tensor of a fluid-saturated fractured rock defining its seismic response becomes viscoelastic and frequency-dependent. In spite of this, AVOAz analysis typically relies on end-member-type elastic stiffness models that either assume a relaxed (i.e., equilibrated) or unrelaxed (i.e., unequilibrated) state of the wave-induced fluid pressure in the rock. In general, however, neither the appropriateness of the chosen model nor the associated errors in the inversion process are known. To investigate this topic, we have considered a poroelastic medium containing parallel vertical fractures and generate synthetic seismic AVOAz data using the classic Rüger approximations for PP-wave reflection coefficients in horizontally transversely isotropic media. A Markov chain Monte Carlo method is used to perform a Bayesian inversion of the synthetic seismic AVOAz data. We quantify the influence of WIFF effects on the AVOAz inversion results when elastic relaxed and unrelaxed models are used as forward solvers of inversion schemes to estimate the fracture volume fraction, the elastic moduli, and the porosity of the background rock, as well as the overall weakness of the medium due to the presence of fractures. Our results indicate that, when dealing with single-frequency data, relaxed elastic models provide biased but overall better inversion results than unrelaxed ones, for which some fracture parameters cannot be resolved. Improved inversion performance is achieved when using frequency-dependent data, which illustrates the importance of accounting for poroelastic effects.

Fast simulation of triaxial borehole induction measurements acquired in axially symmetrical and transversely isotropic media

Geophysics ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. E233-E249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gong Li Wang ◽  
Carlos Torres-Verdín ◽  
Stan Gianzero
Keyword(s):  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
Simulation Method ◽  
Fourier Series Expansion ◽  
Radial Dependence ◽  
Transversely Isotropic Media ◽  
Hankel Functions ◽  
Isotropic Media ◽  
Em Induction ◽  
Ti Media ◽  
3D Problem

We introduce and successfully test an efficient method to simulate triaxial borehole electromagnetic (EM) induction measurements acquired in axially symmetrical and transversely isotropic (TI) media. The method uses a Fourier series expansion to express the azimuthal dependence of EM fields and the source term whereby the essentially 3D problem collapses to a series of independent 2D problems. Each 2D problem is solved with a semianalytic method that uses normalized Bessel functions and normalized Hankel functions to express the radial dependence of EM fields, thereby improving numerical stability. In addition, use is made of amplitude and slope basis functions to describe the longitudinal dependence of EM fields to avoid grid refinement in the vicinity of horizontal formation boundaries. For validation, we compare the new simulation method to two 1D analytic methods in horizontally and radially layered formations, and to one 3D finite-difference method (3DFD) in multilayered formations that include borehole and invasion zones. Numerical results indicate that the method is accurate in formations with high conductivity contrasts compared to 1D methods and is more than ten times more efficient than the 3DFD method in multilayer formations.

Linearized quantities in transversely isotropic media

2004 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
P F Daley ◽  
L R Lines
Keyword(s):  
Energy Surface ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
Isotropic Case ◽  
Slowness Surface ◽  
Transversely Isotropic Media ◽  
Alternative Characterization ◽  
Isotropic Media ◽  
Ellipsoid Of Revolution ◽  
Two Parameters ◽  
Ti Media

This paper advocates a modified parameterization for transversely isotropic (TI) media in seismology. Transversely isotropic media may be parameterized by the reference quasi-compressional (qP) and quasi-shear (qSV) velocities, α and β, together with the two parameters, ε and δ. These last two variables account for the deviation of the coupled qP and qSV modes of wave propagation from the isotropic case. The dimensionless quantity ε is a measure of the ellipticity of the qP wavefront. The "strange" parameter δ has been employed as a measure of deviation of the qP wavefront or slowness surface from an ellipsoid of revolution and also of the qSV wavefront or slowness surface from a sphere. As the parameter δ has been described as "conceptually inaccessible"; it is logical to determine an alternative characterization in physically realizable quantities. As in the earlier literature, the defining parameter for the degree of ellipticity of the qP slowness or energy surface in a TI medium is chosen here to be ε. In addition, the deviation of both the qP and qSV surfaces from the degenerate ellipsoidal case will be specified here as σ. An examination of the linearized phase (wavefront normal) velocities, and the linearized PP and SVSV reflection coefficients at an interface between two TI media is undertaken to emphasize the merits of this modified parameterization. All formulae used here have appeared in one form or another in the cited literature. In this paper, a reformulation of existing equations as functions of the two independent variables, (ε, σ), is presented. This results in a more physically realizable context for the linearized formulae.

Velocity analysis using nonhyperbolic moveout in transversely isotropic media

Geophysics ◽  
1997 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
pp. 1839-1854 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tariq Alkhalifah
Keyword(s):  
Anisotropy Parameter ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Transversely Isotropic Media ◽  
Vertical Heterogeneity ◽  
Isotropic Media ◽  
D Values ◽  
Two Parameters ◽  
Vti Media ◽  
Ti Media

P‐wave reflections from horizontal interfaces in transversely isotropic (TI) media have nonhyperbolic moveout. It has been shown that such moveout as well as all time‐related processing in TI media with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI media) depends on only two parameters, [Formula: see text] and η. These two parameters can be estimated from the dip‐moveout behavior of P‐wave surface seismic data. Alternatively, one could use the nonhyperbolic moveout for parameter estimation. The quality of resulting estimates depends largely on the departure of the moveout from hyperbolic and its sensitivity to the estimated parameters. The size of the nonhyperbolic moveout in TI media is dependent primarily on the anisotropy parameter η. An “effective” version of this parameter provides a useful measure of the nonhyperbolic moveout even in v(z) isotropic media. Moreover, effective η, [Formula: see text], is used to show that the nonhyperbolic moveout associated with typical TI media (e.g., shales, with η ≃ 0.1) is larger than that associated with typical v(z) isotropic media. The departure of the moveout from hyperbolic is increased when typical anisotropy is combined with vertical heterogeneity. Larger offset‐to‐depth ratios (X/D) provide more nonhyperbolic information and, therefore, increased stability and resolution in the inversion for [Formula: see text]. The X/D values (e.g., X/D > 1.5) needed for obtaining stability and resolution are within conventional acquisition limits, especially for shallow targets. Although estimation of η using nonhyperbolic moveouts is not as stable as using the dip‐moveout method of Alkhalifah and Tsvankin, particularly in the absence of large offsets, it does offer some flexibility. It can be applied in the absence of dipping reflectors and also may be used to estimate lateral η variations. Application of the nonhyperbolic inversion to data from offshore Africa demonstrates its usefulness, especially in estimating lateral and vertical variations in η.

Effective reflection coefficients for curved interfaces in transversely isotropic media

Geophysics ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 74 (5) ◽  
pp. WB33-WB53 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milana Ayzenberg ◽  
Ilya Tsvankin ◽  
Arkady Aizenberg ◽  
Bjørn Ursin
Keyword(s):  
Plane Wave ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
Reflection Coefficients ◽  
Superposition Method ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Amplitude Variation With Offset ◽  
Reflection Data ◽  
Transversely Isotropic Media ◽  
Isotropic Media ◽  
The Difference

Plane-wave reflection coefficients (PWRCs) are routinely used in amplitude-variation-with-offset analysis and for generating boundary data in Kirchhoff modeling. However, the geometrical-seismics approximation based on PWRCs becomes inadequate in describing reflected wavefields at near- and postcritical incidence angles. Also, PWRCs are derived for plane interfaces and break down in the presence of significant reflector curvature. Here, we discuss effective reflection coefficients (ERCs) designed to overcome the limitations of PWRCs for multicomponent data from heterogeneous anisotropic media. We represent the reflected wavefield in the immediate vicinity of a curved interface by a generalized plane-wave decomposition, which approximately reduces to the conventional Weyl-type integral computed for an apparent source location. The ERC then is obtainedas the ratio of the reflected and incident wavefields at each point of the interface. To conduct diffraction modeling, we combine ERCs with the tip-wave superposition method (TWSM), extended to elastic media. This methodology is implemented for curved interfaces that separate an isotropic incidence half-space and a transversely isotropic (TI) medium with the symmetry axis orthogonal to the reflector. If the interface is plane, ERCs generally are close to the exact solution, sensitive to the anisotropy parameters and source-receiver geometry. Numerical tests demonstrate that the difference between ERCs and PWRCs for typical TI models can be significant, especially at low frequencies and in the postcritical domain. For curved interfaces, ERCs provide a practical approximate tool to compute the reflected wavefield. We analyze the dependence of ERCs on reflector shape and demonstrate their advantages over PWRCs in 3D diffraction modeling of PP and PS reflection data.

Diffraction traveltime approximation for TI media with an inhomogeneous background

Geophysics ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. WC103-WC111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Umair bin Waheed ◽  
Tariq Alkhalifah ◽  
Alexey Stovas
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Eikonal Equation ◽  
Anisotropy Parameter ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
Transversely Isotropic Media ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Isotropic Media ◽  
Best Fitting ◽  
Axis Of Symmetry ◽  
Ti Media

Diffractions in seismic data contain valuable information that can help improve our modeling capability for better imaging of the subsurface. They are especially useful for anisotropic media because they inherently possess a wide range of dips necessary to resolve the angular dependence of velocity. We develop a scheme for diffraction traveltime computations based on perturbation of the anellipticity anisotropy parameter for transversely isotropic media with tilted axis of symmetry (TTI). The expansion, therefore, uses an elliptically anisotropic medium with tilt as the background model. This formulation has advantages on two fronts: first, it alleviates the computational complexity associated with solving the TTI eikonal equation, and second, it provides a mechanism to scan for the best-fitting anellipticity parameter [Formula: see text] without the need for repetitive modeling of traveltimes, because the traveltime coefficients of the expansion are independent of the perturbed parameter [Formula: see text]. The accuracy of such an expansion is further enhanced by the use of Shanks transform. We established the effectiveness of the proposed formulation with tests on a homogeneous TTI model and complex media such as the Marmousi and BP models.

Reverse time migration in tilted transversely isotropic media

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Razec Cezar Sampaio Pinto da Silva Torres ◽  
Leandro Di Bartolo
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Anisotropy ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Computer Clusters ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Transversely Isotropic Media ◽  
Isotropic Media ◽  
Tti Media

ABSTRACT. Reverse time migration (RTM) is one of the most powerful methods used to generate images of the subsurface. The RTM was proposed in the early 1980s, but only recently it has been routinely used in exploratory projects involving complex geology – Brazilian pre-salt, for example. Because the method uses the two-way wave equation, RTM is able to correctly image any kind of geological environment (simple or complex), including those with anisotropy. On the other hand, RTM is computationally expensive and requires the use of computer clusters. This paper proposes to investigate the influence of anisotropy on seismic imaging through the application of RTM for tilted transversely isotropic (TTI) media in pre-stack synthetic data. This work presents in detail how to implement RTM for TTI media, addressing the main issues and specific details, e.g., the computational resources required. A couple of simple models results are presented, including the application to a BP TTI 2007 benchmark model.Keywords: finite differences, wave numerical modeling, seismic anisotropy. Migração reversa no tempo em meios transversalmente isotrópicos inclinadosRESUMO. A migração reversa no tempo (RTM) é um dos mais poderosos métodos utilizados para gerar imagens da subsuperfície. A RTM foi proposta no início da década de 80, mas apenas recentemente tem sido rotineiramente utilizada em projetos exploratórios envolvendo geologia complexa, em especial no pré-sal brasileiro. Por ser um método que utiliza a equação completa da onda, qualquer configuração do meio geológico pode ser corretamente tratada, em especial na presença de anisotropia. Por outro lado, a RTM é dispendiosa computacionalmente e requer o uso de clusters de computadores por parte da indústria. Este artigo apresenta em detalhes uma implementação da RTM para meios transversalmente isotrópicos inclinados (TTI), abordando as principais dificuldades na sua implementação, além dos recursos computacionais exigidos. O algoritmo desenvolvido é aplicado a casos simples e a um benchmark padrão, conhecido como BP TTI 2007.Palavras-chave: diferenças finitas, modelagem numérica de ondas, anisotropia sísmica.

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