A stable and efficient approach of Q reverse time migration

Geophysics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (6) ◽  
pp. S557-S567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Zhao ◽  
Ningbo Mao ◽  
Zhiming Ren
Keyword(s):  
Wave Equation ◽  
Computational Efficiency ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
High Frequency Noise ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Low Pass ◽  
Wavefield Extrapolation

Amplitude energy attenuation and phase distortion of seismic waves caused by formation viscoelasticity reduce the resolution of reverse time migration (RTM) images. Q-RTM often is used to compensate the attenuation effects and improve the resolution of seismic imaging. However, serious high-frequency noise and tremendous amplitude will be produced during the wavefield extrapolation of Q-RTM, resulting in its inability to be imaged. Many Q-RTM algorithms solve the problem of instability through low-pass filtering in the wavenumber domain, but the method is less efficient in computation and has a truncation effect in the wavefield. We have developed a stable and efficient Q-RTM method, in which a regularization term was introduced into the viscoacoustic wave equation to suppress the high-frequency noise, and the finite-difference method was used to solve the viscoacoustic wave equation with a regularization term. We used the model example to visually demonstrate the instability of wavefield extrapolation in Q-RTM and compared the effect and computational efficiency of the two stabilization processing methods, low-pass filtering and regularization. Meanwhile, our method is not involved in solving the fractional derivatives by using the pseudo-spectral method, the computational efficiency also can be improved. We tested the Q-RTM approach on a simple layered model, Marmousi model, and real seismic data. The results of numerical examples demonstrated that the Q-RTM method can solve the problem of instability effectively and obtain a higher resolution image with lower computational cost.

Viscoacoustic reverse-time migration with a robust space-wavenumber domain attenuation compensation operator

Geophysics ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-95
Author(s):  
Jidong Yang ◽  
Jianping Huang ◽  
Hejun Zhu ◽  
Zhenchun Li ◽  
Nanxun Dai
Keyword(s):  
Time Window ◽  
Back Propagation ◽  
Homogeneous Medium ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Attenuation Compensation ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Wavefield Extrapolation

Intrinsic attenuation gives rise to phase dispersion and amplitude loss during seismic wave propagation. Not correcting these effects in seismic imaging can result in inaccurate reflector locations, dimmed amplitudes and degraded spatial resolution. In reverse-time migration (RTM), attenuation compensation can be implemented by reversing the sign of the dissipation term and keeping the dispersion term unchanged for backward wavefield extrapolation. Although this Q-compensated RTM scheme can effectively correct attenuation effects, amplitude amplification during back-propagation might lead to numerical instabilities, especially for field data with strong high-frequency noise. To mitigate this problem, we develop a robust space-wavenumber compensation operator, and apply it to viscoacoustic RTM. By analyzing the dispersion-only and viscoacoustic Green’s functions, we obtain an analytical solution for the attenuation compensation operator in a homogeneous medium. Because it is a time-frequency operator, to apply it directly in viscoacoustic RTM requires access to the extrapolated wavefields within a certain time window. To avoid storing the wavefields and improve computational efficiency, we use an approximated dispersion relation and convert the time-frequency operator to an equivalent space-wavenumber operator, which allows us to implement attenuation compensation on the fly during wavefield extrapolation. The hybrid-domain property of the operator enables us to account for the wavenumber-dependent compensation. A similar strategy can also be applied to the migrated images as a poststack processing approach, which is more efficient than the prestack compensation. Two synthetic and one land field dataset examples demonstrate the feasibility and adaptability of the proposed method.

Adaptive stabilization for Q-compensated reverse time migration

Geophysics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (1) ◽  
pp. S15-S32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yufeng Wang ◽  
Hui Zhou ◽  
Hanming Chen ◽  
Yangkang Chen
Keyword(s):  
Wave Equation ◽  
Green's Functions ◽  
Green’S Functions ◽  
Numerical Instability ◽  
Adaptive Stabilization ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Gas Chimney ◽  
Low Pass

Reverse time migration (RTM) for attenuating media should take amplitude compensation and phase correction into consideration. However, attenuation compensation during seismic propagation suffers from numerical instability because of the boosted high-frequency ambient noise. We have developed a novel adaptive stabilization method for [Formula: see text]-compensated RTM ([Formula: see text]-RTM), which exhibits superior properties of time variance and [Formula: see text] dependence over conventional low-pass filtering-based method. We derive the stabilization operator by first analytically deriving [Formula: see text]-space Green’s functions for a constant-[Formula: see text] wave equation with decoupled fractional Laplacians and its compensated equation. The time propagator of Green’s function for the viscoacoustic wave equation decreases exponentially, whereas that of the compensated equation is exponentially divergent at a high wavenumber, and it is not stable after the wave is extrapolated for a long time. Therefore, the Green’s functions theoretically explain how the numerical instability existing in [Formula: see text]-RTM arises and shed light on how to overcome this problem pertinently. The stabilization factor required in the proposed method can be explicitly identified by the specified gain limit according to an empirical formula. The [Formula: see text]-RTM results for noise-free data using low-pass filtering and adaptive stabilization are compared over a simple five-layer model and the BP gas chimney model to verify the superiority of the proposed approach in terms of fidelity and stability. The [Formula: see text]-RTM result for noisy data from the BP gas chimney model further demonstrates that our method enjoys a better antinoise performance and helps significantly to enhance the resolution of seismic images.

Least-squares migration of multisource data with a deblurring filter

Geophysics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. R135-R146 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Dai ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Gerard T. Schuster
Keyword(s):  
Wave Equation ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Computational Efficiency ◽  
Computational Cost ◽  
Processing Technique ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Migration Method ◽  
Least Squares Migration

Least-squares migration (LSM) has been shown to be able to produce high-quality migration images, but its computational cost is considered to be too high for practical imaging. We have developed a multisource least-squares migration algorithm (MLSM) to increase the computational efficiency by using the blended sources processing technique. To expedite convergence, a multisource deblurring filter is used as a preconditioner to reduce the data residual. This MLSM algorithm is applicable with Kirchhoff migration, wave-equation migration, or reverse time migration, and the gain in computational efficiency depends on the choice of migration method. Numerical results with Kirchhoff LSM on the 2D SEG/EAGE salt model show that an accurate image is obtained by migrating a supergather of 320 phase-encoded shots. When the encoding functions are the same for every iteration, the input/output cost of MLSM is reduced by 320 times. Empirical results show that the crosstalk noise introduced by blended sources is more effectively reduced when the encoding functions are changed at every iteration. The analysis of signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) suggests that not too many iterations are needed to enhance the S/N to an acceptable level. Therefore, when implemented with wave-equation migration or reverse time migration methods, the MLSM algorithm can be more efficient than the conventional migration method.

An implicit stabilization strategy for Q-compensated reverse time migration

Geophysics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. S169-S183
Author(s):  
Hanming Chen ◽  
Hui Zhou ◽  
Ying Rao
Keyword(s):  
Robust Stabilization ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Wavefield Extrapolation ◽  
Amplitude Compensation ◽  
Seismic Images

Reverse time migration with [Formula: see text] compensation ([Formula: see text]-RTM) is an effective approach to enhance the resolution of seismic images because it retrieves the amplitude loss and phase distortion induced by the viscosity of media. According to the crosscorrelation imaging condition, [Formula: see text]-RTM requires compensation for the amplitude loss in the propagation paths of source and receiver wavefields, which can be realized by solving an amplitude-boosted wave equation. However, the amplitude-boosted simulations suffer from numerical instability due to the amplification of high-frequency noise. We have developed a robust stabilization strategy for [Formula: see text]-RTM by incorporating a time-variant filter into the amplitude-boosted wavefield extrapolation step. We modify the Fourier spectrum of the operator that controls the amplitude compensation to be time variant, and we add to the spectrum a stabilization factor. Doing so, we integrate the time-variant filter into the viscoacoustic wave propagator implicitly, and we avoid any explicit filtering operation in [Formula: see text]-RTM. We verify the robustness of this stabilized [Formula: see text]-RTM with two synthetic data examples. We also apply this technique to a field data set to demonstrate the imaging improvements compared to an acoustic RTM and a more traditional [Formula: see text]-RTM method.

Up/down acoustic wavefield decomposition using a single propagation and its application in reverse time migration

Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. S341-S353
Author(s):  
Daniel E. Revelo ◽  
Reynam C. Pestana
Keyword(s):  
Wave Equation ◽  
Rapid Expansion ◽  
Computational Time ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Imaging Condition ◽  
First Order ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Wavefield Decomposition

The separation of up- and downgoing wavefields is an important technique in the processing of multicomponent recorded data, propagating wavefields, and reverse time migration (RTM). Most of the previous methods for separating up/down propagating wavefields can be grouped according to their implementation strategy: a requirement to save time steps to perform Fourier transform over time or construction of the analytical wavefield through a solution of the wave equation twice (one for the source and another for the Hilbert-transformed source), in which both strategies have a high computational cost. For computing the analytical wavefield, we are proposing an alternative method based on the first-order partial equation in time and by just solving the wave equation once. Our strategy improves the computation of wavefield separation, and it can bring the causal imaging condition into practice. For time extrapolation, we are using the rapid expansion method to compute the wavefield and its first-order time derivative and then we can compute the analytical wavefield. By computing the analytical wavefield, we can, therefore, separate the wavefield into up- and downgoing components for each time step in an explicit way. Applications to synthetic models indicate that our method allows performing the wavefield decomposition similarly to the conventional method, as well as a potential application for the 3D case. For RTM applications, we can now use the causal imaging condition for several synthetic examples. Acoustic RTM up/down decomposition demonstrates that it can successfully remove the low-frequency noise, which is common in the typical crosscorrelation imaging condition, and it is usually removed by applying a Laplacian filter. Moreover, our method is efficient in terms of computational time when compared to RTM using an analytical wavefield computed by two propagations, and it is a little more costly than conventional RTM using the crosscorrelation imaging condition.

A stable approach for Q-compensated viscoelastic reverse time migration using excitation amplitude imaging condition

Geophysics ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. S459-S476 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuebin Zhao ◽  
Hui Zhou ◽  
Yufeng Wang ◽  
Hanming Chen ◽  
Zheng Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Excitation Amplitude ◽  
Frequency Noise ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Imaging Condition ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Free Data ◽  
Text Filtering ◽  
Low Pass ◽  
Compensation Approach

The earth [Formula: see text] filtering causes poor illumination of the subsurface. Compensating for the attenuated amplitude and distorted phase is crucial during elastic reverse time migration (ERTM) to improve the imaging quality. Conventional [Formula: see text]-compensated ERTM ([Formula: see text]-ERTM) methods tend to boost the attenuated energy to inverse the [Formula: see text] effects. These methods usually suffer from severe numerical instability because of the unlimited amplification of the high-frequency noise. Low-pass filtering is generally used to stabilize the process, however, at the expense of precision. We have developed a stable compensation approach in this paper. Based on the decoupled fractional Laplacians viscoelastic wave equation, two compensation operators are obtained by extrapolating wavefield in the dispersion-only and viscoelastic media. Because no explicit amplification is included, these two operators are absolutely stable for implementation. To improve the division morbidity for calculating the compensation operators, we use the excitation amplitude criterion and embed the operators into a vector-based [Formula: see text]-compensated excitation amplitude imaging condition. With the derived imaging condition, we could compensate for the absorption accurately without needing to concern the stability issue. The [Formula: see text]-ERTM results for noise-free data are carried out over a simple layered model and a more realistic Marmousi model with an attenuating area to verify the feasibility of the proposed approach. The migration results for noisy data from the Marmousi model further prove that the proposed method performs better fidelity, adaptability, and antinoise performance compared with conventional compensation method with low-pass filtering.

scholarly journals Depth-Extrapolation-Based True-Amplitude Full-Wave-Equation Migration from Topography

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 3010
Author(s):  
Hao Liu ◽  
Xuewei Liu
Keyword(s):  
Wave Equation ◽  
Partial Derivative ◽  
Model Experiment ◽  
Surface Velocity ◽  
Seismic Exploration ◽  
Initial Condition ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Full Wave ◽  
Time Migration

The lack of an initial condition is one of the major challenges in full-wave-equation depth extrapolation. This initial condition is the vertical partial derivative of the surface wavefield and cannot be provided by the conventional seismic acquisition system. The traditional solution is to use the wavefield value of the surface to calculate the vertical partial derivative by assuming that the surface velocity is constant. However, for seismic exploration on land, the surface velocity is often not uniform. To solve this problem, we propose a new method for calculating the vertical partial derivative from the surface wavefield without making any assumptions about the surface conditions. Based on the calculated derivative, we implemented a depth-extrapolation-based full-wave-equation migration from topography using the direct downward continuation. We tested the imaging performance of our proposed method with several experiments. The results of the Marmousi model experiment show that our proposed method is superior to the conventional reverse time migration (RTM) algorithm in terms of imaging accuracy and amplitude-preserving performance at medium and deep depths. In the Canadian Foothills model experiment, we proved that our method can still accurately image complex structures and maintain amplitude under topographic scenario.

Q least-squares reverse time migration based on the first-order viscoacoustic quasidifferential equations

Geophysics ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-65
Author(s):  
Yingming Qu ◽  
Yixin Wang ◽  
Zhenchun Li ◽  
Chang Liu
Keyword(s):  
Wave Equation ◽  
Least Squares ◽  
Surface Topography ◽  
Density Perturbation ◽  
Second Order ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
First Order ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Grid Scheme

Seismic wave attenuation caused by subsurface viscoelasticity reduces the quality of migration and the reliability of interpretation. A variety of Q-compensated migration methods have been developed based on the second-order viscoacoustic quasidifferential equations. However, these second-order wave-equation-based methods are difficult to handle with density perturbation and surface topography. In addition, the staggered grid scheme, which has an advantage over the collocated grid scheme because of its reduced numerical dispersion and enhanced stability, works in first-order wave-equation-based methods. We have developed a Q least-squares reverse time migration method based on the first-order viscoacoustic quasidifferential equations by deriving Q-compensated forward-propagated operators, Q-compensated adjoint operators, and Q-attenuated Born modeling operators. Besides, our method using curvilinear grids is available even when the attenuating medium has surface topography and can conduct Q-compensated migration with density perturbation. The results of numerical tests on two synthetic and a field data sets indicate that our method improves the imaging quality with iterations and produces better imaging results with clearer structures, higher signal-to-noise ratio, higher resolution, and more balanced amplitude by correcting the energy loss and phase distortion caused by Q attenuation. It also suppresses the scattering and diffracted noise caused by the surface topography.

Angle-Domain Gathers Computation Using Poynting Vector of Two-Way Acoustic Wave Equation

2014 ◽  
Vol 962-965 ◽  
pp. 2984-2987
Author(s):  
Jia Jia Yang ◽  
Bing Shou He ◽  
Ting Chen
Keyword(s):  
Wave Equation ◽  
Acoustic Wave ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Flow Density ◽  
Acoustic Wave Equation ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Wave Fields ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Source Wave

Based on two-way acoustic wave equation, we present a method for computing angle-domain common-image gathers for reverse time migration. The method calculates the propagation direction of source wave-fields and receiver wave-fields according to expression of energy flow density vectors (Poynting vectors) of acoustic wave equation in space-time domain to obtain the reflection angle, then apply the normalized cross-correlation imaging condition to achieve the angle-domain common-image gathers. The angle gathers obtained can be used for migration velocity analysis, AVA analysis and so on. Numerical examples and real data examples demonstrate the effectiveness of this method.

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