Direct Depth Domain Bayesian AVO Inversion
We present a new approach to perform Bayesian linearized amplitude-versus-offset (AVO) inversion directly in the depth domain using non-stationary wavelets. Bayesian linearized AVO inversion, which is a hybrid approach combining physics-based models with statistical learning, has gained immense popularity in the past decade because of its superior computational speed and its ability to estimate uncertainties in the inverted model parameters. Bayesian linearized AVO inversion is typically performed on time-domain seismic data; therefore, depth-imaged seismic cannot be inverted directly using this method, and would require depth-to-time conversion before AVO inversion can be done. Subsequently, time-to-depth conversion of the inverted volumes would be required for reservoir modeling and well-placement. Domain-conversions introduce additional sources of uncertainty in the geophysical workflows. Another drawback of conventional AVO inversion techniques is that the seismic wavelet is assumed to be stationary, and this assumption leads to a restriction in the length of the time-window over which the inversion can be performed. Therefore, AVO inversion is usually restricted to a narrow time window around the target of interest, and in case multiple targets are present at different depths, multiple inversions have to be run on the same seismic volume if we use traditional AVO inversion. AVO inversion in the depth-domain using non-stationary wavelets (or point-spread functions) is a fairly recent development, and has been previously presented in an iterative formulation that is computationally intensive compared to Bayesian linearized AVO inversion. Implementing linearized Bayesian inversion directly in the depth-domain using non-stationary wavelets is a convenient new approach that takes advantage of superior computational speed and uncertainty quantification without compromising the accurate spatial location that depth imaging provides. Bringing these two schools of thought together creates a novel, unique, and powerful seismic inversion technique that can be useful for quantitative interpretation and reservoir characterization.