Amplitude-preserving reverse time migration: From reflectivity to velocity and impedance inversion

Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. S271-S283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu Zhang ◽  
Andrew Ratcliffe ◽  
Graham Roberts ◽  
Lian Duan
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Inversion ◽  
Rock Properties ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Depth Imaging ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Velocity Models ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Inversion Techniques

Conventional methods of prestack depth imaging aim at producing a structural image that delineates the interfaces of the geologic variations or the reflectivity of the earth. However, it is the underlying impedance and velocity changes that generate this reflectivity that are of more interest for characterizing the reservoir. Indeed, the need to generate a better product for geologic interpretation leads to the subsequent application of traditional seismic-inversion techniques to the reflectivity sections that come from typical depth-imaging processes. The drawback here is that these seismic-inversion techniques use additional information, e.g., from well logs or velocity models, to fill the low frequencies missing in traditional seismic data due to the free-surface ghost in marine acquisition. We found that with the help of broadband acquisition and processing techniques, the bandwidth gap between the depth-imaging world and seismic inversion world is reducing. We outlined a theory that shows how angle-domain common-image gathers produced by an amplitude-preserving reverse time migration can estimate impedance and velocity perturbations. The near-angle stacked image provides the impedance perturbation estimate whereas the far-angle image can be used to estimate the velocity perturbation. In the context of marine acquisition and exploration, our method can, together with a ghost compensation technique, be a useful tool for seismic inversion, and it is also adaptable to a full-waveform inversion framework. We developed synthetic and real data examples to test that the method is reliable and provides additional information for interpreting geologic structures and rock properties.

scholarly journals 3D high-resolution seismic imaging of the iron-oxide deposits in Ludvika (Sweden) using full-waveform inversion and reverse-time migration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brij Singh ◽  
Michał Malinowski ◽  
Andrzej Górszczyk ◽  
Alireza Malehmir ◽  
Stefan Buske ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Waveform Inversion ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Mine Planning ◽  
Full Waveform Inversion ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Depth Imaging ◽  
Velocity Models ◽  
Full Waveform ◽  
Time Migration

Abstract. A sparse 3D seismic survey was acquired over the Blötberget iron-oxide deposits of the Ludvika Mines in south-central Sweden. The main aim of the survey was to delineate the deeper extension of the mineralisation and to better understand its 3D nature and associated fault systems for mine planning purposes. To obtain a high-quality seismic image in depth, we applied time-domain 3D acoustic full-waveform inversion (FWI) to build a high-resolution P-wave velocity model. This model was subsequently used for pre-stack depth imaging with reverse time migration (RTM) to produce the complementary reflectivity section. We developed a data preprocessing workflow and inversion strategy for the successful implementation of FWI in the hardrock environment. We obtained a high-fidelity velocity model using FWI and assessed its robustness. We extensively tested and optimised the parameters associated with the RTM method for subsequent depth imaging using different velocity models: a constant velocity model, a model built using first-arrival traveltime tomography and a velocity model derived by FWI. We compare our RTM results with a priori data available in the area. We conclude that, from all tested velocity models, the FWI velocity model in combination with the subsequent RTM step, provided the most focussed image of the mineralisation and we successfully mapped its 3D geometrical nature. In particular, a major reflector interpreted as a cross-cutting fault, which is restricting the deeper extension of the mineralisation with depth, and several other fault structures which were earlier not imaged were also delineated. We believe that a thorough analysis of the depth images derived with the combined FWIRTM approach that we presented here can provide more details which will help with better estimation of areas with high mineralization, better mine planning and safety measures.

Application of RTM 3D angle gathers to wide-azimuth data subsalt imaging

Geophysics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. WB175-WB182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Huang ◽  
Bing Bai ◽  
Haiyong Quan ◽  
Tony Huang ◽  
Sheng Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Model Updating ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Azimuth Angle ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Reflection Angle ◽  
Subsalt Imaging

The availability of wide-azimuth data and the use of reverse time migration (RTM) have dramatically increased the capabilities of imaging complex subsalt geology. With these improvements, the current obstacle for creating accurate subsalt images now lies in the velocity model. One of the challenges is to generate common image gathers that take full advantage of the additional information provided by wide-azimuth data and the additional accuracy provided by RTM for velocity model updating. A solution is to generate 3D angle domain common image gathers from RTM, which are indexed by subsurface reflection angle and subsurface azimuth angle. We apply these 3D angle gathers to subsalt tomography with the result that there were improvements in velocity updating with a wide-azimuth data set in the Gulf of Mexico.

Reducing artifacts of elastic reverse time migration by the deprimary technique

Geophysics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. S569-S577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yang Zhao ◽  
Houzhu Zhang ◽  
Jidong Yang ◽  
Tong Fei
Keyword(s):  
Complex Function ◽  
Noise Removal ◽  
Pure Mode ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Imaging Condition ◽  
Velocity Models ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Wavefield Decomposition

Using the two-way elastic-wave equation, elastic reverse time migration (ERTM) is superior to acoustic RTM because ERTM can handle mode conversions and S-wave propagations in complex realistic subsurface. However, ERTM results may not only contain classical backscattering noises, but they may also suffer from false images associated with primary P- and S-wave reflections along their nonphysical paths. These false images are produced by specific wave paths in migration velocity models in the presence of sharp interfaces or strong velocity contrasts. We have addressed these issues explicitly by introducing a primary noise removal strategy into ERTM, in which the up- and downgoing waves are efficiently separated from the pure-mode vector P- and S-wavefields during source- and receiver-side wavefield extrapolation. Specifically, we investigate a new method of vector wavefield decomposition, which allows us to produce the same phases and amplitudes for the separated P- and S-wavefields as those of the input elastic wavefields. A complex function involved with the Hilbert transform is used in up- and downgoing wavefield decomposition. Our approach is cost effective and avoids the large storage of wavefield snapshots that is required by the conventional wavefield separation technique. A modified dot-product imaging condition is proposed to produce multicomponent PP-, PS-, SP-, and SS-images. We apply our imaging condition to two synthetic models, and we demonstrate the improvement on the image quality of ERTM.

Depth imaging with multiples

Geophysics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 246-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oong K. Youn ◽  
Hua‐wei Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Wave Equation ◽  
Ray Tracing ◽  
Scalar Wave ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Prestack Depth Migration ◽  
Depth Imaging ◽  
Depth Migration ◽  
Time Migration

Depth imaging with multiples is a prestack depth migration method that uses multiples as the signal for more accurate boundary mapping and amplitude recovery. The idea is partially related to model‐based multiple‐suppression techniques and reverse‐time depth migration. Conventional reverse‐time migration uses the two‐way wave equation for the backward wave propagation of recorded seismic traces and ray tracing or the eikonal equation for the forward traveltime computation (the excitation‐time imaging principle). Consequently, reverse‐time migration differs little from most other one‐way wave equation or ray‐tracing migration methods which expect only primary reflection events. Because it is almost impossible to attenuate multiples without degrading primaries, there has been a compelling need to devise a tool to use multiples constructively in data processing rather than attempting to destroy them. Furthermore, multiples and other nonreflecting wave types can enhance boundary imaging and amplitude recovery if a full two‐way wave equation is used for migration. The new approach solves the two‐way wave equation for both forward and backward directions of wave propagation using a finite‐difference technique. Thus, it handles all types of acoustic waves such as reflection (primary and multiples), refraction, diffraction, transmission, and any combination of these waves. During the imaging process, all these different types of wavefields collapse at the boundaries where they are generated or altered. The process goes through four main steps. First, a source function (wavelet) marches forward using the full two‐way scalar wave equation from a source location toward all directions. Second, the recorded traces in a shot gather march backward using the full two‐way scalar wave equation from all receiver points in the gather toward all directions. Third, the two forward‐ and backward‐propagated wavefields are correlated and summed for all time indices. And fourth, a Laplacian image reconstruction operator is applied to the correlated image frame. This technique can be applied to all types of seismic data: surface seismic, vertical seismic profile (VSP), crosswell seismic, vertical cable seismic, ocean‐bottom cable (OBC) seismic, etc. Because it migrates all wave types, the input data require no or minimal preprocessing (demultiple should not be done, but near‐surface or acquisition‐related problems might need to be corrected). Hence, it is only a one‐step process from the raw field gathers to a final depth image. External noise in the raw data will not correlate with the forward wavefield except for some coincidental matching; therefore, it is usually unnecessary to do signal enhancement processing before the depth imaging with multiples. The input velocity model could be acquired from various methods such as iterative focusing analysis or tomography, as in other prestack depth migration methods. The new method has been applied to data sets from a simple multiple‐generating model, the Marmousi model, and a real offset VSP. The results show accurate imaging of primaries and multiples with overall significant improvements over conventionally imaged sections.

An effective imaging condition for reverse-time migration using wavefield decomposition

Geophysics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. S29-S39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Faqi Liu ◽  
Guanquan Zhang ◽  
Scott A. Morton ◽  
Jacques P. Leveille
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
High Amplitude ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Imaging Condition ◽  
Velocity Models ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Computationally Intensive

Reverse-time migration (RTM) exhibits great superiority over other imaging algorithms in handling steeply dipping structures and complicated velocity models. However, low-frequency, high-amplitude noises commonly seen in a typical RTM image have been one of the major concerns because they can seriously contaminate the signals in the image if they are not handled properly. We propose a new imaging condition to effectively and efficiently eliminate these specific noises from the image. The method works by first decomposing the source and receiver wavefields to their one-way propagation components, followed by applying a correlation-based imaging condition to the appropriate combinations of the decomposed wavefields. We first give the physical explanation of the principle of such noises in the conventional RTM image. Then we provide the detailed mathematical theory for the new imaging condition. Finally, we propose an efficient scheme for its numerical implementation. It replaces the computationally intensive decomposition with the cost-effective Hilbert transform, which significantly improves the efficiency of the imaging condition. Applications to various synthetic and real data sets demonstrate that this new imaging condition can effectively remove the undesired low-frequency noises in the image.

Depth Imaging and Model Building Using Reverse Time Migration

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.A. Filatov ◽  
N.S. Zhuravko ◽  
S.O. Suslos ◽  
V.I. Svyazhina ◽  
A.O. Tinakin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Model Building ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Depth Imaging ◽  
Time Migration

Reverse-time migration in acoustic VTI media using a high-order stereo operator

Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (3) ◽  
pp. WA3-WA11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Xie ◽  
Dinghui Yang ◽  
Faqi Liu ◽  
Jingshuang Li
Keyword(s):  
Computational Cost ◽  
High Order ◽  
New Method ◽  
Numerical Dispersion ◽  
Staggered Grid ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Velocity Models ◽  
Time Migration

With the capability of handling complicated velocity models, reverse-time migration (RTM) has become a powerful imaging method. Improving imaging accuracy and computational efficiency are two significant but challenging tasks in the applications of RTM. Despite being the most popular numerical technique applied in RTM, finite-difference (FD) methods often suffer from undesirable numerical dispersion, leading to a noticeable loss of imaging resolution. A new and effective FD operator, called the high-order stereo operator, has been developed to approximate the partial differential operators in the wave equation, from which a numerical scheme called the three-step stereo method (TSM) has been developed and has shown effectiveness in suppressing numerical dispersion. Numerical results show that compared with the conventional numerical methods such as the Lax-Wendroff correction (LWC) scheme and the staggered-grid (SG) FD method, this new method significantly reduces numerical dispersion and computational cost. Tests on the impulse response and the 2D prestack Hess acoustic VTI model demonstrated that the TSM achieves higher image quality than the LWC and SG methods do, especially when coarse computation grids were used, which indicated that the new method can be a promising algorithm for large-scale anisotropic RTM.

Enhanced prestack depth imaging of wide-azimuth data from the Gulf of Mexico: A case history

Geophysics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. WB79-WB86 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuening Ma ◽  
Bin Wang ◽  
Cristina Reta-Tang ◽  
Wilfred Whiteside ◽  
Zhiming Li
Keyword(s):  
Image Quality ◽  
Gulf Of Mexico ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Delayed Imaging ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Depth Imaging ◽  
Time Migration

We present a case study of enhanced imaging of wide-azimuth data from the Gulf of Mexico utilizing recent technologies; and we discuss the resulting improvements in image quality, especially in subsalt areas, relative to previous results. The input seismic data sets are taken from many large-scale wide-azimuth surveys and conventional narrow-azimuth surveys located in the Mississippi Canyon and Atwater Valley areas. In the course of developing the enhanced wide azimuth processing flow, the following three key steps are found to have the most impact on improving subsalt imaging: (1) 3D true azimuth surface-related multiple elimination (SRME) to remove multiple energy, in particular, complex multiples beneath salt; (2) reverse-time migration (RTM) based delayed imaging time (DIT) scans to update the complex subsalt velocity model; and (3) tilted transverse isotropic (TTI) RTM to improve image quality. Our research focuses on the depth imaging aspects of the project, with particular emphasis on the application of the DIT scanning technique. The DIT-scan technique further improves the accuracy of the subsalt velocity model after conventional ray-based subsalt tomography has been performed. We also demonstrate the uplift obtained by acquiring a wide-azimuth data set relative to a standard narrow-azimuth data set, and how orthogonal wide-azimuth is able to enhance the subsalt illumination.

Breakthrough acquisition and technologies for subsalt imaging

Geophysics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. WB41-WB51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denes Vigh ◽  
Jerry Kapoor ◽  
Nick Moldoveanu ◽  
Hongyan Li
Keyword(s):  
Velocity Field ◽  
Inversion Layer ◽  
Waveform Inversion ◽  
Full Waveform Inversion ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Low Frequencies ◽  
Full Waveform ◽  
Time Migration

The recently introduced method of wide-azimuth data acquisition offers better illumination, noise attenuation, and lower frequencies to more accurately determine a velocity field for imaging. For the field data experiment to demonstrate the technologies, we used a Gulf of Mexico (GOM) wide-azimuth data set that allows us to take advantage of possible low frequencies, relatively large crossline offsets, and increased illumination. The input data was processed through true 3D azimuthal surface-related multiple elimination (SRME) with zero-phasing and debubble. Eliminating the surface-related multiples aids the velocity determination and helps uncover the subsalt sediments at the final imaging stage. After the initial velocity derivation, which was constrained to wells and geology, full-waveform inversion (FWI) was used to further update the velocity field to achieve an enhanced image. The methodology used follows the top-down approach where suprasalt sediment model is developed followed by the top of salt, salt flanks, base of salt, and finished with a limited subsalt update. To approximate the observed data by using an acoustic inversion procedure, the propagator includes effects of attenuation, anisotropy, acquisition source, and receiver depth. The geological environment is salt related, which implies that the observed data is highly elastic, even though it is input to an acoustic full waveform inversion. To use the proper constraints for the inversion, layer-stripping method is used to develop the high-resolution velocity field. The inversion stages were carefully quality controlled through gather displays to ensure the kinematics were honored. We then demonstrated the benefit of the FWI velocity field by comparing the images derived with the traditional ray-based tomographic velocity field versus the velocity field derived by FWI performing reverse time migration to produce these images. Finally, the images were compared at key well locations to evaluate the robustness of the workflow.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document