True‐amplitude frequency‐wavenumber constant‐offset migration

Geophysics ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 915-924 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. O. Ekren ◽  
Bjørn Ursin

Low S/N ratios, interfering diffractions, and dip‐related problems (e.g., reflector point dispersal, dip‐dependent NMO, and reflection angle) make reliable amplitude versus offset (AVO) analysis a difficult task. Prestack time migration (PSTM) collapses diffractions, increases the S/N ratio, and reduces dip‐related problems. Therefore, PSTM is usually required before offset dependent information can be extracted from seismic data, and PSTM is mandatory before comparing real seismic data with 1-D earth model synthetic data. We present a 2-D frequency‐wavenumber common‐offset prestack time migration algorithm. To treat the amplitudes correctly, a 3-D to 2-D transform of the data is required before doing the migration. This is done by correcting the data for out‐of‐plane geometrical spreading. Migration artifacts are attenuated, exploiting the fact that the maximum dip to be migrated decreases with increasing traveltime and offset. The final processing steps before further processing are 2-D geometrical spreading correction and removal of the implicit NMO correction inherent in the migration. Two marine data examples show improved data quality after prestack time migration, making subsequent amplitude analysis more reliable.

Geophysics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. WC69-WC79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mahdieh Dehghannejad ◽  
Alireza Malehmir ◽  
Christopher Juhlin ◽  
Pietari Skyttä

The Kristineberg mining area in the western part of the Skellefte ore district is the largest base metal producer in northern Sweden and currently the subject of extensive geophysical and geologic studies aimed at constructing 3D geologic models. Seismic reflection data form the backbone of the geologic modeling in the study area. A geologic cross section close to the Kristineberg mine was used to generate synthetic seismic data using acoustic and elastic finite-difference algorithms to provide further insight about the nature of reflections and processing challenges when attempting to image the steeply dipping structures within the study area. Synthetic data suggest processing artifacts manifested themselves in the final 2D images as steeply dipping events that could be confused with reflections. Fewer artifacts are observed when the data are processed using prestack time migration. Prestack time migration also was performed on high-resolution seismic data recently collected near the Kristineberg mine and helped to image a high-amplitude, gently dipping reflection occurring stratigraphically above the extension of the deepest Kristineberg deposit. Swath 3D processing was applied to two crossing seismic lines, west of the Kristineberg mine, to provide information on the 3D geometry of an apparently flat-lying reflection observed in both of the profiles. The processing indicated that the reflection dips about 30° to the southwest and is generated at the contact between metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks, the upper part of the latter unit being the most typical stratigraphic level for the massive sulfide deposits in the Skellefte district.


Geophysics ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 77 (5) ◽  
pp. WC81-WC93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michal Malinowski ◽  
Ernst Schetselaar ◽  
Donald J. White

We applied seismic modeling for a detailed 3D geologic model of the Flin Flon mining camp (Canada) to address some imaging and interpretation issues related to a [Formula: see text] 3D survey acquired in the camp and described in a complementary paper (part 1). A 3D geologic volumetric model of the camp was created based on a compilation of geologic data constraints from drillholes, surface geologic mapping, interpretation of 2D seismic profiles, and 3D surface and grid geostatistical modeling techniques. The 3D modeling methodology was based on a hierarchical approach to account for the heterogeneous spatial distribution of geologic constraints. Elastic parameters were assigned within the model based on core sample measurements and correlation with the different lithologies. The phase-screen algorithm used for seismic modeling was validated against analytic and finite-difference solutions to ensure that it provided accurate amplitude-variation-with-offset behavior for dipping strata. Synthetic data were generated to form zero-offset (stack) volume and also a complete prestack data set using the geometry of the real 3D survey. We found that the ability to detect a clear signature of the volcanogenic massive sulfide with ore deposits is dependent on the mineralization type (pyrite versus pyrrhotite rich ore), especially when ore-host rock interaction is considered. In the presence of an increasing fraction of the host rhyolite rock within the model volume, the response from the lower impedance pyrrhotite ore is masked by that of the rhyolite. Migration tests showed that poststack migration effectively enhances noisy 3D DMO data and provides comparable results to more computationally expensive prestack time migration. Amplitude anomalies identified in the original 3D data, which were not predicted by our modeling, could represent potential exploration targets in an undeveloped part of the camp, assuming that our a priori earth model is sufficiently accurate.


Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. C217-C227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Baoqing Tian ◽  
Jiangjie Zhang

High-resolution imaging has become more popular recently in exploration geophysics. Conventionally, geophysicists image the subsurface using the isotropy approximation. When considering the anisotropy effects, one can expect to obtain an imaging profile with higher accuracy than the isotropy approach allows. Orthorhombic anisotropy is considered an ideal approximation in the realistic case. It has been used in the industry for several years. Although being attractive, broad application of orthorhombic anisotropy has many problems to solve. We have developed a novel approach of prestack time migration in the orthorhombic case. The traveltime and amplitude of a wave propagating in orthorhombic media are calculated directly by launching new anisotropic velocity and anisotropic parameters. We validate our methods with synthetic data. We also highlight our methods with model data set and real data. The results found that our methods work well for prestack time migration in orthorhombic media.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernhard S.A. Schuberth ◽  
Roman Freissler ◽  
Christophe Zaroli ◽  
Sophie Lambotte

<p>For a comprehensive link between seismic tomography and geodynamic models, uncertainties in the seismic model space play a non-negligible role. More specifically, knowledge of the tomographic uncertainties is important for obtaining meaningful estimates of the present-day thermodynamic state of Earth's mantle, which form the basis of retrodictions of past mantle evolution using the geodynamic adjoint method. A standard tool in tomographic-geodynamic model comparisons nowadays is tomographic filtering of mantle circulation models using the resolution operator <em><strong>R</strong></em> associated with the particular seismic inversion of interest. However, in this classical approach it is not possible to consider tomographic uncertainties and their impact on the geodynamic interpretation. </p><p>Here, we present a new method for 'filtering' synthetic Earth models, which makes use of the generalised inverse operator <strong>G</strong><sup>†</sup>, instead of using <em><strong>R</strong></em>. In our case, <strong>G</strong><sup>†</sup> is taken from a recent global SOLA Backus–Gilbert <em>S</em>-wave tomography. In contrast to classical tomographic filtering, the 'imaged' model is constructed by computing the <em>Generalised-Inverse Projection</em> (GIP) of synthetic data calculated in an Earth model of choice. This way, it is possible to include the effects of noise in the seismic data and thus to analyse uncertainties in the resulting model parameters. In order to demonstrate the viability of the method, we compute a set of travel times in an existing mantle circulation model, add specific realisations of Gaussian, zero-mean seismic noise to the synthetic data and apply <strong>G</strong><sup>†</sup>. <br> <br>Our results show that the resulting GIP model without noise is equivalent to the mean model of all GIP realisations from the suite of synthetic 'noisy' data and also closely resembles the model tomographically filtered using <em><strong>R</strong></em>. Most important, GIP models that include noise in the data show a significant variability of the shape and amplitude of seismic anomalies in the mantle. The significant differences between the various GIP realisations highlight the importance of interpreting and assessing tomographic images in a prudent and cautious manner. With the GIP approach, we can moreover investigate the effect of systematic errors in the data, which we demonstrate by adding an extra term to the noise component that aims at mimicking the effects of uncertain crustal corrections. In our presentation, we will finally discuss ways to construct the model covariance matrix based on the GIP approach and point out possible research directions on how to make use of this information in future geodynamic modelling efforts.</p>


2014 ◽  
Vol 556-562 ◽  
pp. 592-596
Author(s):  
Su Zhen Shi ◽  
Juan Li ◽  
Yi Chen Zhao ◽  
Li Biao Yang ◽  
Yao Tang ◽  
...  

In order to improve imaging precision of small structures and small fault blocks of coal seams, the prestack time migration method is used for imaging. Preserved amplitude processing (PAP) is applied to prestack gather firstly after geological data and original seismic data of the exploration area are fully understood. Initial root mean square velocity field is established through the method of picking up root mean square velocity on CRP gather. Then, a precise root mean square velocity model is created after continuous iteration and modification. Meanwhile, appropriate algorithm and migration parameters are selected during the migration process. Finally, the imaging of small fault blocks and small faults in the prestack time migration section is clear and migration is highly coinciding with the case disclosed by boreholes. It’s proved that prestack time migration is especially suitable for processing 3D seismic data of small faults and small fault blocks in coal seams with complicated geological conditions.


Geophysics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (2) ◽  
pp. S93-S101 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrej Bóna

Standard migration techniques require a velocity model. A new and fast prestack time migration method is presented that does not require a velocity model as an input. The only input is a shot gather, unlike other velocity-independent migrations that also require input of data in other gathers. The output of the presented migration is a time-migrated image and the migration velocity model. The method uses the first and second derivatives of the traveltimes with respect to the location of the receiver. These attributes are estimated by computing the gradient of the amplitude in a shot gather. The assumptions of the approach are a laterally slowly changing velocity and reflectors with small curvatures; the dip of the reflector can be arbitrary. The migration velocity corresponds to the root mean square (rms) velocity for laterally homogeneous media for near offsets. The migration expressions for 2D and 3D cases are derived from a simple geometrical construction considering the image of the source. The strengths and weaknesses of the methods are demonstrated on synthetic data. At last, the applicability of the method is discussed by interpreting the migration velocity in terms of the Taylor expansion of the traveltime around the zero offset.


Geophysics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (2) ◽  
pp. N31-N50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Lu ◽  
Yun Wang ◽  
Jingyi Chen ◽  
Ying An

With the increase in exploration target complexity, more parameters are required to describe subsurface properties, particularly for finely stratified reservoirs with vertical transverse isotropic (VTI) features. We have developed an anisotropic amplitude variation with offset (AVO) inversion method using joint PP and PS seismic data for VTI media. Dealing with local minimum solutions is critical when using anisotropic AVO inversion because more parameters are expected to be derived. To enhance the inversion results, we adopt a hierarchical inversion strategy to solve the local minimum solution problem in the Gauss-Newton method. We perform the isotropic and anisotropic AVO inversions in two stages; however, we only use the inversion results from the first stage to form search windows for constraining the inversion in the second stage. To improve the efficiency of our method, we built stop conditions using Euclidean distance similarities to control iteration of the anisotropic AVO inversion in noisy situations. In addition, we evaluate a time-aligned amplitude variation with angle gather generation approach for our anisotropic AVO inversion using anisotropic prestack time migration. We test the proposed method on synthetic data in ideal and noisy situations, and find that the anisotropic AVO inversion method yields reasonable inversion results. Moreover, we apply our method to field data to show that it can be used to successfully identify complex lithologic and fluid information regarding fine layers in reservoirs.


Geophysics ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. WCA65-WCA73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis Cooke ◽  
Andrej Bóna ◽  
Benn Hansen

Starting with the double-square-root equation we derive expressions for a velocity-independent prestack time migration and for the associated migration velocity. We then use that velocity to identify multiples and suppress them as part of the imaging step. To describe our algorithm, workflow, and products, we use the terms velocity-independent and oriented. While velocity-independent imaging does not require an input migration velocity, it does require input [Formula: see text]-values (also called local event slopes) measured in both the shot and receiver domains. There are many possible methods of calculating these required input [Formula: see text]-values, perhaps the simplest is to compute the ratio of instantaneous spatial frequency to instantaneous temporal frequency. Using a synthetic data set rich in multiples, we test the oriented algorithm and generate migrated prestack gathers, the oriented migration velocity field, and stacked migrations. We use oriented migration velocities for prestack multiple suppression. Without this multiple suppression step, the velocity-independent migration is inferior to a conventional Kirchhoff migration because the oriented migration will flatten primaries and multiples alike in the common image domain. With this multiple suppression step, the velocity-independent are very similar to a Kirchhoff migration generated using the known migration velocity of this test data set.


2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. T245-T255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Onur Mutlu ◽  
Kurt J. Marfurt

Seismic resolution significantly affects the quality of seismic interpretation. Processing parameters that effect resolution such as picking velocities in the presence of interbed multiples benefit from an understanding of the underlying geology. Three-dimensional migration is almost always performed by an external service company or internal specialty processing group, with the “final” product being migrated gathers and the final migration-stack section. In the Chicontepec Basin, Mexico, we have evaluated improvements in data quality made after 3D prestack time migration. By first mapping shallow volcanics that generated strong interbed multiples, we performed a new velocity analysis to better image the weaker, underlying primaries of interest. We remove the local migration stretch through an inverse NMO correction, followed by a nonstretch NMO correction and prestack structure-oriented filtering. Such compensation for migration stretch improves the vertical resolution and preserves far-offset data valuable to subsequent prestack inversion that would otherwise need to be muted. Because S-impedance inversion depends heavily on the farther offsets, the resulting S-impedance images have resolution that is in general equivalent to and, in the target area of rapid S-impedance seen in the well logs, exceed that of the P-impedance images. Attributes such as coherence and curvature show improved fault resolution, whereas noisy areas look more chaotic because of the increased frequency content.


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