Processing of a nine‐component near‐offset VSP for seismic anisotropy
A convolutional sequence of matrix operators is offered as a convenient deterministic scheme for processing a multicomponent vertical seismic profile (VSP). This sequence is applied to a nine‐component near‐offset VSP recorded at the Conoco borehole test facility, Kay County, Oklahoma. These data are corrected for tool spin and near‐surface anisotropy together with source coupling or imbalance. After wave‐field separation using a standard f‐k filter, each source and receiver pair for the upgoing waves is adjusted to a common reference depth using a matrix operator based on the downgoing wave‐field. The up‐ and downgoing waves are then processed for anisotropy by a similarity transformation, to separate the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] waves, from which the anisotropic properties are estimated. These estimates reveal a strong (apparent) vertical birefringence in the near‐surface, but weak or moderate values for the majority of the subsurface. The target zone consists of a thin sandstone and deeper shale layer, both of which possess a strong vertical birefringence. The sandstone corresponds to a zone of known fluid flow. An observed [Formula: see text] attenuation and polarization change in the shale suggest it contains large fractures.