Reflection from a dipping plane—Transversely isotropic solid

Geophysics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 55 (7) ◽  
pp. 851-855 ◽  
Author(s):  
Franklyn K. Levin
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Investigation ◽  
Elastic Constants ◽  
Wave Reflection ◽  
Symmetry Axis ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Isotropic Solid ◽  
Dip Angle

CMP stacking velocities for a P‐wave reflection from a dipping plane underlying a transversely isotropic solid are, after correction by the cosine of the dip angle, nearly independent of the dip angle if the symmetry axis of the solid is perpendicular to the reflector. If the symmetry axis is perpendicular to the surface, stacking velocities vary, after correction with the cosine of the dip angle, and predicting the amount and dependence on dip angle requires numerical investigation for each solid, since the stacking velocities may increase, decrease, or go through an extremum as the dip increases. The exact behavior depends on the elastic constants of the solid.

Azimuthal AVO for tilted TI medium

Geophysics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. C21-C33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongwei Wang ◽  
Suping Peng ◽  
Wenfeng Du
Keyword(s):  
Isotropic Medium ◽  
Symmetry Axis ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
P Wave ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Transverse Waves ◽  
Propagation Angle ◽  
S Waves ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Dip Angle

With the incident P-wave, we derive approximate formulas for amplitudes and polarizations of waves reflected from and transmitted through a planar, horizontal boundary between an overlying isotropic medium and an underlying tilted transversely isotropic (TTI) medium assuming that the directions of the phase and group velocities are consistent. Provided that the velocities in the isotropic medium are equal to the velocities along the symmetry axis direction, we derive the relational expression between the propagation angle in the TTI medium and the propagation angle in the hypothetical isotropic medium, under the condition that the horizontal slowness is the same, and then we update the approximate formula of the polarization in the TTI medium. Provided that the slow and fast transverse waves (qS and SH) are generated simultaneously in the anisotropic interface, we linearize for a six-order Zoeppritz equation, derive the azimuthal formula of longitudinal and S-waves, and determine their detailed expressions within the symmetry axis plane. According to the derived azimuthal AVO formula, we establish medium models, compare the derived AVO with the precision, and obtain the following conclusions: (1) The dip angle for the symmetry axis with respect to the vertical may have a sufficiently large impact on AVO, and the vertical longitudinal wave can generate an S-wave. (2) For the derived AVO formula, within the symmetry axis plane, the fitting effect of the approximate and exact formulas is good; however, within the other incident planes, taking the azimuth angle 45° as an example, the approximation is suitable for the large impedance contrast if the anisotropic parameters are set properly. (3) The error between the approximation and precision is mainly caused by the difference between the reflected and transmitted angles, the velocities’ derivation with respect to azimuth, and the division of approximation into isotropic and anisotropic parts.

scholarly journals The offset-midpoint traveltime pyramid in 3D transversely isotropic media with a horizontal symmetry axis

Geophysics ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. T51-T62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qi Hao ◽  
Alexey Stovas ◽  
Tariq Alkhalifah
Keyword(s):  
Symmetry Axis ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Analytic Representation ◽  
Velocity Inversion ◽  
Transversely Isotropic Media ◽  
Horizontal Symmetry ◽  
Time Domains ◽  
Isotropic Media ◽  
Hti Media

Analytic representation of the offset-midpoint traveltime equation for anisotropy is very important for prestack Kirchhoff migration and velocity inversion in anisotropic media. For transversely isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis, the offset-midpoint traveltime resembles the shape of a Cheops’ pyramid. This is also valid for homogeneous 3D transversely isotropic media with a horizontal symmetry axis (HTI). We extended the offset-midpoint traveltime pyramid to the case of homogeneous 3D HTI. Under the assumption of weak anellipticity of HTI media, we derived an analytic representation of the P-wave traveltime equation and used Shanks transformation to improve the accuracy of horizontal and vertical slownesses. The traveltime pyramid was derived in the depth and time domains. Numerical examples confirmed the accuracy of the proposed approximation for the traveltime function in 3D HTI media.

Quartic moveout coefficient: 3D description and application to tilted TI media

Geophysics ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 68 (5) ◽  
pp. 1600-1610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Pech ◽  
Ilya Tsvankin ◽  
Vladimir Grechka
Keyword(s):  
Heterogeneous Media ◽  
Symmetry Axis ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
Seismic Inversion ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Individual Values ◽  
Weak Anisotropy ◽  
Essential Information ◽  
Ti Media

Nonhyperbolic (long‐spread) moveout provides essential information for a number of seismic inversion/processing applications, particularly for parameter estimation in anisotropic media. Here, we present an analytic expression for the quartic moveout coefficient A4 that controls the magnitude of nonhyperbolic moveout of pure (nonconverted) modes. Our result takes into account reflection‐point dispersal on irregular interfaces and is valid for arbitrarily anisotropic, heterogeneous media. All quantities needed to compute A4 can be evaluated during the tracing of the zero‐offset ray, so long‐spread moveout can be modeled without time‐consuming multioffset, multiazimuth ray tracing. The general equation for the quartic coefficient is then used to study azimuthally varying nonhyperbolic moveout of P‐waves in a dipping transversely isotropic (TI) layer with an arbitrary tilt ν of the symmetry axis. Assuming that the symmetry axis is confined to the dip plane, we employed the weak‐anisotropy approximation to analyze the dependence of A4 on the anisotropic parameters. The linearized expression for A4 is proportional to the anellipticity coefficient η ≈ ε − δ and does not depend on the individual values of the Thomsen parameters. Typically, the magnitude of nonhyperbolic moveout in tilted TI media above a dipping reflector is highest near the reflector strike, whereas deviations from hyperbolic moveout on the dip line are substantial only for mild dips. The azimuthal variation of the quartic coefficient is governed by the tilt ν and reflector dip φ and has a much more complicated character than the NMO–velocity ellipse. For example, if the symmetry axis is vertical (VTI media, ν = 0) and the dip φ < 30°, A4 goes to zero on two lines with different azimuths where it changes sign. If the symmetry axis is orthogonal to the reflector (this model is typical for thrust‐and‐fold belts), the strike‐line quartic coefficient is defined by the well‐known expression for a horizontal VTI layer (i.e., it is independent of dip), while the dip‐line A4 is proportional to cos4 φ and rapidly decreases with dip. The high sensitivity of the quartic moveout coefficient to the parameter η and the tilt of the symmetry axis can be exploited in the inversion of wide‐azimuth, long‐spread P‐wave data for the parameters of TI media.

Quartic reflection moveout in a weakly anisotropic dipping layer

Geophysics ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. D1-D13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Grechka ◽  
Andrés Pech
Keyword(s):  
General Formula ◽  
Anisotropic Medium ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Wave Reflection ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Weak Anisotropy ◽  
Effective Anisotropy ◽  
Isotropic Solid ◽  
Strike Direction

Deviations of P-wave reflection traveltimes from a hyperbola, called the nonhyperbolic or quartic moveout, need to be handled properly while processing long-spread seismic data. As observed nonhyperbolic moveout is usually attributed to the presence of anisotropy, we devote our paper to deriving and analyzing a general formula that describes an azimuthally varying quartic moveout coefficient in a homogeneous, weakly anisotropic medium above a dipping, mildly curved reflector. To obtain the desired expression, we consistently linearize all quantities in small stiffness perturbations from a given isotropic solid. Our result incorporates all known weak-anisotropy approximations of the quartic moveout coefficient and extends them further to triclinic media. By comparing our approximation with nonhyperbolic moveout obtained from the ray-traced reflection traveltimes, we find that the former predicts azimuthal variations of the quartic moveout when its magnitude is less than 20% of the corresponding hyperbolic moveout term. We also study the influence of reflector curvature on nonhyperbolic moveout. It turns out that the curvature produces no quartic moveout in the reflector strike direction, where the anisotropy-induced moveout nonhyperbolicity is usually nonnegligible. Thus, the presence of nonhyperbolic moveout along the reflector strike might indicate effective anisotropy.

Analytic study of the geometrical spreading of P-waves in a layered transversely isotropic medium with a vertical symmetry axis

Geophysics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 1305-1315 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongbo Zhou ◽  
George A. McMechan
Keyword(s):  
Isotropic Medium ◽  
Symmetry Axis ◽  
Transverse Isotropy ◽  
Analytical Formula ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Geometrical Spreading ◽  
Transversely Isotropic Medium ◽  
Weak Anisotropy ◽  
Special Cases

An analytical formula for geometrical spreading is derived for a horizontally layered transversely isotropic medium with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI). With this expression, geometrical spreading can be determined using only the anisotropy parameters in the first layer, the traveltime derivatives, and the source‐receiver offset. Explicit, numerically feasible expressions for geometrical spreading are obtained for special cases of transverse isotropy (weak anisotropy and elliptic anisotropy). Geometrical spreading can be calculated for transversly isotropic (TI) media by using picked traveltimes of primary nonhyperbolic P-wave reflections without having to know the actual parameters in the deeper subsurface; no ray tracing is needed. Synthetic examples verify the algorithm and show that it is numerically feasible for calculation of geometrical spreading. For media with a few (4–5) layers, relative errors in the computed geometrical spreading remain less than 0.5% for offset/depth ratios less than 1.0. Errors that change with offset are attributed to inaccuracy in the expression used for nonhyberbolic moveout. Geometrical spreading is most sensitive to errors in NMO velocity, followed by errors in zero‐offset reflection time, followed by errors in anisotropy of the surface layer. New relations between group and phase velocities and between group and phase angles are shown in appendices.

Inversion of azimuthally dependent NMO velocity in transversely isotropic media with a tilted axis of symmetry

Geophysics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
pp. 232-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Grechka ◽  
Ilya Tsvankin
Keyword(s):  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Symmetry Axis ◽  
Transverse Isotropy ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Model Parameters ◽  
Symmetry Direction ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Inversion Procedure ◽  
Tti Media

Just as the transversely isotropic model with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI media) is typical for describing horizontally layered sediments, transverse isotropy with a tilted symmetry axis (TTI) describes dipping TI layers (such as tilted shale beds near salt domes) or crack systems. P-wave kinematic signatures in TTI media are controlled by the velocity [Formula: see text] in the symmetry direction, Thomsen’s anisotropic coefficients ε and δ, and the orientation (tilt ν and azimuth β) of the symmetry axis. Here, we show that all five parameters can be obtained from azimuthally varying P-wave NMO velocities measured for two reflectors with different dips and/or azimuths (one of the reflectors can be horizontal). The shear‐wave velocity [Formula: see text] in the symmetry direction, which has negligible influence on P-wave kinematic signatures, can be found only from the moveout of shear waves. Using the exact NMO equation, we examine the propagation of errors in observed moveout velocities into estimated values of the anisotropic parameters and establish the necessary conditions for a stable inversion procedure. Since the azimuthal variation of the NMO velocity is elliptical, each reflection event provides us with up to three constraints on the model parameters. Generally, the five parameters responsible for P-wave velocity can be obtained from two P-wave NMO ellipses, but the feasibility of the moveout inversion strongly depends on the tilt ν. If the symmetry axis is close to vertical (small ν), the P-wave NMO ellipse is largely governed by the NMO velocity from a horizontal reflector Vnmo(0) and the anellipticity coefficient η. Although for mild tilts the medium parameters cannot be determined separately, the NMO-velocity inversion provides enough information for building TTI models suitable for time processing (NMO, DMO, time migration). If the tilt of the symmetry axis exceeds 30°–40° (e.g., the symmetry axis can be horizontal), it is possible to find all P-wave kinematic parameters and construct the anisotropic model in depth. Another condition required for a stable parameter estimate is that the medium be sufficiently different from elliptical (i.e., ε cannot be close to δ). This limitation, however, can be overcome by including the SV-wave NMO ellipse from a horizontal reflector in the inversion procedure. While most of the analysis is carried out for a single layer, we also extend the inversion algorithm to vertically heterogeneous TTI media above a dipping reflector using the generalized Dix equation. A synthetic example for a strongly anisotropic, stratified TTI medium demonstrates a high accuracy of the inversion (subject to the above limitations).

Physical modeling and analysis of P-wave attenuation anisotropy in transversely isotropic media

Geophysics ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 72 (1) ◽  
pp. D1-D7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaping Zhu ◽  
Ilya Tsvankin ◽  
Pawan Dewangan ◽  
Kasper van Wijk
Keyword(s):  
Attenuation Coefficient ◽  
Symmetry Axis ◽  
Wave Attenuation ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Velocity Variation ◽  
Ratio Method ◽  
Fracture Detection ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Attenuation Anisotropy

Anisotropic attenuation can provide sensitive attributes for fracture detection and lithology discrimination. This paper analyzes measurements of the P-wave attenuation coefficient in a transversely isotropic sample made of phenolic material. Using the spectral-ratio method, we estimate the group (effective) attenuation coefficient of P-waves transmitted through the sample for a wide range of propagation angles (from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]) with the symmetry axis. Correction for the difference between the group and phase angles and for the angular velocity variation help us to obtain the normalized phase attenuation coefficient [Formula: see text] governed by the Thomsen-style attenuation-anisotropy parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Whereas the symmetry axis of the angle-dependent coefficient [Formula: see text] practically coincides with that of the velocity function, the magnitude of the attenuation anisotropy far exceeds that of the velocity anisotropy. The quality factor [Formula: see text] increases more than tenfold from the symmetry axis (slow direction) to the isotropy plane (fast direction). Inversion of the coefficient [Formula: see text] using the Christoffel equation yields large negative values of the parameters [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The robustness of our results critically depends on several factors, such as the availability of an accurate anisotropic velocity model and adequacy of the homogeneous concept of wave propagation, as well as the choice of the frequency band. The methodology discussed here can be extended to field measurements of anisotropic attenuation needed for AVO (amplitude-variation-with-offset) analysis, amplitude-preserving migration, and seismic fracture detection.

Processing‐induced anisotropy

Geophysics ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 1920-1928 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Grechka ◽  
Ilya Tsvankin
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Symmetry Axis ◽  
Homogeneous Medium ◽  
Transversely Isotropic ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Well Logs ◽  
Velocity Analysis ◽  
Induced Anisotropy ◽  
Vertical Heterogeneity ◽  
Vti Media

Processing of seismic data is often performed under the assumption that the velocity distribution in the subsurface can be approximated by a macromodel composed of isotropic homogeneous layers or blocks. Despite being physically unrealistic, such models are believed to be sufficient for describing the kinematics of reflection arrivals. In this paper, we examine the distortions in normal‐moveout (NMO) velocities caused by the intralayer vertical heterogeneity unaccounted for in velocity analysis. To match P‐wave moveout measurements from a horizontal or a dipping reflector overlaid by a vertically heterogeneous isotropic medium, the effective homogeneous overburden has to be anisotropic. This apparent anisotropy is caused not only by velocity monotonically increasing with depth, but also by random velocity variations similar to those routinely observed in well logs. Assuming that the effective homogeneous medium is transversely isotropic with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI), we express the VTI parameters through the actual depth‐dependent isotropic velocity function. If the reflector is horizontal, combining the NMO and vertical velocities always results in nonnegative values of Thomsen's coefficient δ. For a dipping reflector, the inversion of the P‐wave NMO ellipse yields a nonnegative Alkhalifah‐Tsvankin coefficient η that increases with dip. The values of η obtained by two other methods (2‐D dip‐moveout inversion and nonhyperbolic moveout analysis) are also nonnegative but generally differ from that needed to fit the NMO ellipse. For truly anisotropic (VTI) media, the influence of vertical heterogeneity above the reflector can lead to a bias toward positive δ and η estimates in velocity analysis.

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