Mapping subsurface karsts and voids using directional elastic wave packets

Geophysics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 86 (6) ◽  
pp. S405-S416
Author(s):  
Yinshuai Ding ◽  
Hao Hu ◽  
Adel Malallah ◽  
Michael C. Fehler ◽  
Lianjie Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wave Packet ◽  
Elastic Wave ◽  
Wave Packets ◽  
Random Noise ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
The Difference

We have developed a new data-driven algorithm that uses directional elastic wave packets as seismic sources to image subsurface voids (i.e., cavities). Compared to a point source, the advantage of the new approach is that the wave packet illuminates only a small volume of the medium around the raypath to significantly reduce multiple scattering effects in the imaging. We take the difference of traces at identical source-receiver offsets from each of two neighboring source packets. The difference mainly contains the void scattering events but not the direct waves, the layer reflections, refractions, nor layer-related multiples. We use P-to-P and P-to-S scattered waves to locate the voids, and the results using scattered P- and S-waves can cross-validate each other to reduce the possibility of false detections. The directional wave packet can be numerically synthesized using existing shot gathers; therefore, no special physical source is required. We determine our method using data calculated using a boundary element method to model the seismic wavefield in an irregularly layered medium containing several empty voids. We test the robustness of our method using the same data but with 15% root-mean-square random noise added. Furthermore, we compare our method with the reverse time migration imaging method using the same data and find that our method provides superior results that are not dependent on the construction of a velocity model.

Receiver grouping strategies for hybrid Geometric-mean Reverse-time migration

Geophysics ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-52
Author(s):  
Tong Bai ◽  
Bin Lyu ◽  
Paul Williamson ◽  
Nori Nakata
Keyword(s):  
Time Reversal ◽  
Cross Correlation ◽  
Geometric Mean ◽  
Random Noise ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Image Domain ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Grouping Strategies

Geometric-mean Reverse-time migration (GmRTM), a powerful cross-correlation-based imaging method, generates higher-resolution source images and is more robust to noise compared to conventional time-reversal imaging. The price to pay is the higher computational costs. Alternatively, we can adopt hybrid strategies by dividing the receivers into different groups. Conventional time reversal (i.e., wavefield summation) is performed inside each group, followed by the application of cross-correlation imaging condition among different groups. Such hybrid strategies can retain the advantages of both GmRTM and time-reversal, and are often more practical than pure GmRTM. Yet, designing appropriate grouping strategy is not trivial. Here, we propose two grouping strategies (adjacent and scattered) and use synthetic and field-data examples to evaluate their performance with various group numbers. In addition to the spatial resolution of the source image, robustness to random noise is another important assessment criterion, for which we consider two distribution patterns, such as concentrated and scattered, of traces contaminated with strong random noise. We also evaluated their effectiveness to visualize events (in the image domain) that are not completely recorded by all receivers. Our comprehensive tests illustrate the respective advantages of the two grouping strategies.

scholarly journals Seismic wavefield reconstruction inversion using a plane-wave encoding strategy

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (6) ◽  
pp. 1037-1048
Author(s):  
Sumin Kim ◽  
Wookeen Chung ◽  
Young Seo Kim ◽  
Changsoo Shin
Keyword(s):  
Plane Wave ◽  
Initial Velocity ◽  
Random Noise ◽  
Homogeneous Model ◽  
Waveform Inversion ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Computationally Efficient ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Time Migration

Abstract Wavefield reconstruction inversion (WRI) mitigates cycle skipping by using an inaccurate initial velocity. This attractive technique is usually implemented with shot records. However, if large numbers of shot records are used, WRI can become computationally burdensome due to the many over-determined linear systems that need to be solved. To alleviate this computational issue, we propose an efficient WRI scheme involving plane-wave encoding (WRI-PW) in the frequency domain. Plane-wave encoding can dramatically reduce the number of relevant datasets by transforming shot records into common ray-parameter gathers with time shifting. Therefore, plane-wave encoding is widely used in many aspects of seismic data processing (e.g. waveform inversion, reverse time migration, etc.). Initially, we performed a simple numerical experiment using a velocity model with a box-shaped anomaly. WRI-PW also could generate scattering wavefields in a homogeneous model. Next, computational efficiency was checked with a modified Marmousi-2 model. The results show that the usage of a sufficient plane-wave angle can achieve satisfactory inversion results. It indicates that WRI-PW requires small datasets compared to WRI. Thus, the computational costs for solving the augmented system can be reduced. Further experiments were conducted to evaluate the robustness of WRI-PW to random noise and to compare WRI-PW and conventional full waveform inversion (FWI) with a modified SEG/EAGE salt velocity model. We verify that WRI-PW is more robust to random noise than WRI, it exhibited less dependency on the accuracy of the initial velocity model than conventional FWI and it is computationally efficient.

scholarly journals Reverse time migration of transmitted wavefields for salt boundary imaging

Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. S71-S82 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Willacy ◽  
Maksym Kryvohuz
Keyword(s):  
Imaging Techniques ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Seismic Profile ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Velocity Models ◽  
Transmission Imaging ◽  
Time Migration

The imaging of steep salt boundaries has received much attention with the advent of improved wider azimuth acquisition designs and advanced imaging techniques such as reverse time migration (RTM), for example. However, despite these advancements in capability, there are cases in which the salt boundary is either poorly illuminated or completely absent in the migrated image. To provide a solution to this problem, we have developed two RTM methods for imaging salt boundaries, which use transmitted wavefields. In the first technique, downgoing waves, typically recorded in walkaway vertical seismic profile surveys, are used to image the salt flank via the generation of aplanatic isochrones. This image can be generated in the absence of an explicit interpretation of the salt flank using dual migration velocity models, as demonstrated on a 3D walkaway field data set from the Gulf of Mexico. In the second technique, we extend the basic theory to include imaging of upgoing source wavefields, which are transmitted at the base salt from below, as acquired by a surface acquisition geometry. This technique has similarities to the prism-imaging method, yet it uses transmitted instead of reflected waves at the salt boundary. Downgoing and upgoing methods are shown to satisfactorily generate an image of the salt flank; however, transmission imaging can create artifacts if reflection arrivals are included in the migration or the acquisition geometry is limited in extent. Increased wavelet stretch is also observed due to the higher transmission coefficient. An important benefit of these methods is that transmission imaging produces an opposite depth shift to errors in the velocity model compared with imaging of reflections. When combined with conventional seismic reflection surveys, this behavior can be used to provide a constraint on the accuracy of the salt and/or subsalt velocities.

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.

Use of RTM full 3D subsurface angle gathers for subsalt velocity update and image optimization: Case study at Shenzi field

Geophysics ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. WB27-WB39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zheng-Zheng Zhou ◽  
Michael Howard ◽  
Cheryl Mifflin
Keyword(s):  
Model Building ◽  
Transverse Isotropy ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Edge Diffraction ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Image Optimization ◽  
Free Generation

Various reverse time migration (RTM) angle gather generation techniques have been developed to address poor subsalt data quality and multiarrival induced problems in gathers from Kirchhoff migration. But these techniques introduce new problems, such as inaccuracies in 2D subsurface angle gathers and edge diffraction artifacts in 3D subsurface angle gathers. The unique rich-azimuth data set acquired over the Shenzi field in the Gulf of Mexico enabled the generally artifact-free generation of 3D subsurface angle gathers. Using this data set, we carried out suprasalt tomography and salt model building steps and then produced 3D angle gathers to update the subsalt velocity. We used tilted transverse isotropy RTM with extended image condition to generate full 3D subsurface offset domain common image gathers, which were subsequently converted to 3D angle gathers. The angle gathers were substacked along the subsurface azimuth axis into azimuth sectors. Residual moveout analysis was carried out, and ray-based tomography was used to update velocities. The updated velocity model resulted in improved imaging of the subsalt section. We also applied residual moveout and selective stacking to 3D angle gathers from the final migration to produce an optimized stack image.

scholarly journals Phaseless Imaging by Reverse Time Migration: Acoustic Waves

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiming Chen ◽  
Guanghui Huang
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Waves ◽  
Numerical Experiments ◽  
Cross Correlation ◽  
Scattering Data ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Total Field ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Imaging Results

AbstractWe propose a reliable direct imaging method based on the reverse time migration for finding extended obstacles with phaseless total field data. We prove that the imaging resolution of the method is essentially the same as the imaging results using the scattering data with full phase information when the measurement is far away from the obstacle. The imaginary part of the cross-correlation imaging functional always peaks on the boundary of the obstacle. Numerical experiments are included to illustrate the powerful imaging quality

Reverse Time Migration of Elastic Waves Using the Pseudospectral Time-Domain Method

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (01) ◽  
pp. 1750033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiangang Xie ◽  
Mingwei Zhuang ◽  
Zichao Guo ◽  
Hai Liu ◽  
Qing Huo Liu
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Wave ◽  
Time Domain ◽  
Elastic Waves ◽  
Sampling Rate ◽  
Fdtd Method ◽  
Time Domain Method ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Domain Method

Reverse time migration (RTM), especially that for elastic waves, consumes massive computation resources which limit its wide applications in industry. We suggest to use the pseudospectral time-domain (PSTD) method in elastic wave RTM. RTM using PSTD can significantly reduce the computational requirements compared with RTM using the traditional finite difference time domain method (FDTD). In addition to the advantage of low sampling rate with high accuracy, the PSTD method also eliminates the periodicity (or wraparound) limitation caused by fast Fourier transform in the conventional pseudospectral method. To achieve accurate results, the PSTD method needs only about half the spatial sampling rate of the twelfth-order FDTD method. Thus, the PSTD method can save up to 87.5% storage memory and 90% computation time over the twelfth-order FDTD method. We implement RTM using PSTD for elastic wave equations and accelerate it by Open Multi-Processing technology. To keep the computational load balance in parallel computation, we design a new PML layout which merges the PML in both ends of an axis together. The efficiency and imaging quality of the proposed RTM is verified by imaging on 2D and 3D models.

Some Aspects of Seismic Data Reverse Time Migration for Salt Tectonics Geology of the Dnieper-Donets Basin

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pavlo Kuzmenko ◽  
Viktor Buhrii ◽  
Carlo D'Aguanno ◽  
Viktor Maliar ◽  
Hrigorii Kashuba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Full Range ◽  
Donets Basin ◽  
Salt Tectonics ◽  
Imaging Method ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Seismic Image ◽  
Complex Geology

Abstract Processing of the seismic data acquired in areas of complex geology of the Dnieper-Donets basin, characterized by the salt tectonics, requires special attention to the salt dome interpretation. For this purpose, Kirchhoff Depth Imaging and Reverse Time Migration (RTM) were applied and compared. This is the first such experience in the Dnieper-Donets basin. According to international experience, RTM is the most accurate seismic imaging method for steep and vertical geological (acoustic contrast) boundaries. Application of the RTM on 3D WAZ land data is a great challenge in Dnieper-Donets Basin because of the poor quality of the data with a low signal-to-noise ratio and irregular spatial sampling due to seismic acquisition gaps and missing traces. The RTM algorithm requires data, organized to native positions of seismic shots. For KPSDM we used regularized data after 5D interpolation. This affects the result for near salt reflection. The analysis of KPSDM and RTM results for the two areas revealed the same features. RTM seismic data looked more smoothed, but for steeply dipping reflections, lateral continuity of reflections was much improved. The upper part (1000 m) of the RTM has shadow zones caused by low fold. Other differences between Kirchhoff data and RTM are in the spectral content, as the former is characterized by the full range of seismic frequency spectrum. Conversely, beneath the salt, the RTM has reflections with steep dips which are not observed on the KPSDM. It is possible to identify new prospects using the RTM seismic image. Reverse Time Migration of 3D seismic data has shown geologically consistent results and has the potential to identify undiscovered hydrocarbon traps and to improve salt flank delineation in the complex geology of the Dnieper-Donets Basin's salt domes.

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