Depth filtering of first breaks and ground roll

Geophysics ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 390-396 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. McMechan ◽  
R. Sun
Keyword(s):  
Traveling Waves ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Compressional Waves ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Ground Roll ◽  
Wavefield Extrapolation ◽  
Time Extrapolation

Much of the energy removed in a typical standard seismic data preprocessing sequence corresponds to approximately horizontal propagation in very near‐surface structure. Such energy includes direct (first‐break) compressional waves, direct shear waves, and ground roll; these may be effectively separated from deeper reflections by downward continuation of the recorded common‐source wavefield, by reverse‐time extrapolation, to a depth beneath which these waves propagate. The subhorizontally traveling waves get left behind in the shallow part of the model. Subsequent upward continuation of the wavefield reconstructs the original surface‐recorded wavefield with the subhorizontally traveling waves removed. Only a very simple (even constant) velocity distribution is required for the wavefield extrapolation; no net distortion is produced since both downward and upward continuations are performed using the same velocity model.

3-D elastic prestack, reverse‐time depth migration

Geophysics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 597-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wen‐Fong Chang ◽  
George A. McMechan
Keyword(s):  
Finite Differences ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Depth Migration ◽  
Full Wave ◽  
Source Data ◽  
Recorded Data ◽  
Time Extrapolation

By combining and extending previous algorithms for 2-D prestack elastic migration and 3-D prestack acoustic migration, a full 3-D elastic prestack depth migration algorithm is developed. Reverse‐time extrapolation of the recorded data is by 3-D elastic finite differences; computation of the image time for each point in the 3-D volume is by 3-D acoustic finite differences. The algorithm operates on three‐component, vector‐wavefield common‐source data and produces three‐component vector reflectivity distributions. Converted P‐to‐S reflections are automatically imaged with the primary P‐wave reflections. There are no dip restrictions as the full wave equation is used. The algorithm is illustrated by application to synthetic data from three models; a flat reflector, a dipping truncated wedge overlying a flat reflector, and the classical French double dome and fault model.

Scalar reverse‐time depth migration of prestack elastic seismic data

Geophysics ◽  
2001 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
pp. 1519-1527 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Sun ◽  
George A. McMechan
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Wave Source ◽  
Reflected Waves ◽  
S Waves ◽  
Elastic Data

Reflected P‐to‐P and P‐to‐S converted seismic waves in a two‐component elastic common‐source gather generated with a P‐wave source in a two‐dimensional model can be imaged by two independent scalar reverse‐time depth migrations. The inputs to migration are pure P‐ and S‐waves that are extracted by divergence and curl calculations during (shallow) extrapolation of the elastic data recorded at the earth’s surface. For both P‐to‐P and P‐to‐S converted reflected waves, the imaging time at each point is the P‐wave traveltime from the source to that point. The extracted P‐wave is reverse‐time extrapolated and imaged with a P‐velocity model, using a finite difference solution of the scalar wave equation. The extracted S‐wave is reverse‐time extrapolated and imaged similarly, but with an S‐velocity model. Converted S‐wave data requires a polarity correction prior to migration to ensure constructive interference between data from adjacent sources. Synthetic examples show that the algorithm gives satisfactory results for laterally inhomogeneous models.

Depth filtering for one‐component seismic data

Geophysics ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 56 (9) ◽  
pp. 1482-1485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Sun ◽  
George A. McMechan
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Data ◽  
Seismic Waves ◽  
Downward Continuation ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Left Behind ◽  
Elastic Data ◽  
Ground Roll ◽  
The Waves ◽  
Seismic Wavefield ◽  
Number Of Authors

The concept of downward continuation of a seismic wavefield recorded on the earth’s surface to remove near‐surface effects has previously been applied by a number of authors including Schultz and Sherwood (1980), Berryhill (1979, 1984), and McMechan and Chen (1990). Recently, McMechan and Sun (1991) demonstrated, using synthetic elastic data, that downward continuation of an elastic (two‐component) seismic wavefield separates various seismic waves, based on their depth of propagation. This was used to simultaneously remove direct waves and ground roll. The direct compressional and shear waves and the ground roll get left behind in the near surface during downward continuation; subsequent upward continuation reconstructs the surface‐recorded wavefield without the waves propagating in the shallow layers.

Improving the least-squares image by using angle information to avoid cycle skipping

Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. S581-S598 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin He ◽  
Yike Liu ◽  
Yanbao Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Least Squares ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
Migration Velocity ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Propagation Angle ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
The Common

In the past few decades, the least-squares reverse time migration (LSRTM) algorithm has been widely used to enhance images of complex subsurface structures by minimizing the data misfit function between the predicted and observed seismic data. However, this algorithm is sensitive to the accuracy of the migration velocity model, which, in the case of real data applications (generally obtained via tomography), always deviates from the true velocity model. Therefore, conventional LSRTM faces a cycle-skipping problem caused by a smeared image when using an inaccurate migration velocity model. To address the cycle-skipping problem, we have introduced an angle-domain LSRTM algorithm. Unlike the conventional LSRTM algorithm, our method updates the common source-propagation angle image gathers rather than the stacked image. An extended Born modeling operator in the common source-propagation angle domain is was derived, which reproduced kinematically accurate data in the presence of velocity errors. Our method can provide more focused images with high resolution as well as angle-domain common-image gathers (ADCIGs) with enhanced resolution and balanced amplitudes. However, because the velocity model is not updated, the provided image can have errors in depth. Synthetic and field examples are used to verify that our method can robustly improve the quality of the ADCIGs and the finally stacked images with affordable computational costs in the presence of velocity errors.

Implicit static corrections in prestack migration of common‐source data

Geophysics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 757-760 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. McMechan ◽  
H. W. Chen
Keyword(s):  
Surface Velocity ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Reverse Time Migration ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Prestack Migration ◽  
Time Migration ◽  
Excitation Time ◽  
Source Data ◽  
Static Corrections

Static effects due to surface topography and near‐surface velocity variations may be accurately compensated for, in an implicit way, during prestack reverse‐time migration of common‐source gathers, obviating the need for explicit static corrections. Receiver statics are incorporated by extrapolating the observed data from the actual recorder positions; source statics are incorporated by computing the excitation‐time imaging conditions from the actual source positions.

Microseismic event localization by acoustic time reversal extrapolation

Geophysics ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 81 (3) ◽  
pp. KS123-KS134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenhua Li ◽  
Mirko van der Baan
Keyword(s):  
Representation Theorem ◽  
Accurate Determination ◽  
Back Propagation ◽  
Polarization Analysis ◽  
Reverse Time ◽  
Wavefield Extrapolation ◽  
Microseismic Event ◽  
Time Extrapolation ◽  
Event Localization

Traditional ray-based methods for microseismic event localization require picking of P- and S-wave first arrivals, which is often time consuming. Polarization analysis for each event is often also needed to determine its absolute location. Location methods based on reverse time extrapolation avoid the need for first-arrival time picking. Traditional reverse time extrapolation only incorporates particle velocity or displacement wavefields. This is an incomplete approximation of the acoustic representation theorem, which leads to artifacts in the back-propagation process. For instance, if the incomplete approximation is used for microseismic event locations using three-component (3C) borehole recordings, it produces a ghost event on the opposite side of the well, which leads to ambiguous interpretations. We have developed representation-theorem-based reverse time extrapolation for microseismic event localization, combining the 3C particle velocities (displacements) and the pressure wavefield. The unwanted ghost location is removed by explicitly incorporating a wavefield and its spatial derivative. Moreover, polarization analysis is not needed, because wavefields will focus at its absolute location during back propagation. Determination of microseismic event locations using wavefield extrapolation also necessitates a robust focusing criterion. The Hough transform allows for accurate determination of source timing and location by summing wavefront energy in the time-space domain. Synthetic examples demonstrated the good performance of the wavefield extrapolation scheme and focusing criterion in complex velocity fields for borehole acquisition geometries.

Regularization and datuming of seismic data by weighted, damped least squares

Geophysics ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 71 (5) ◽  
pp. U67-U76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Ferguson
Keyword(s):  
Least Squares ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Synthetic Data ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Irregular Sampling ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Damped Least Squares ◽  
Wavefield Extrapolation

The possibility of improving regularization/datuming of seismic data is investigated by treating wavefield extrapolation as an inversion problem. Weighted, damped least squares is then used to produce the regularized/datumed wavefield. Regularization/datuming is extremely costly because of computing the Hessian, so an efficient approximation is introduced. Approximation is achieved by computing a limited number of diagonals in the operators involved. Real and synthetic data examples demonstrate the utility of this approach. For synthetic data, regularization/datuming is demonstrated for large extrapolation distances using a highly irregular recording array. Without approximation, regularization/datuming returns a regularized wavefield with reduced operator artifacts when compared to a nonregularizing method such as generalized phase shift plus interpolation (PSPI). Approximate regularization/datuming returns a regularized wavefield for approximately two orders of magnitude less in cost; but it is dip limited, though in a controllable way, compared to the full method. The Foothills structural data set, a freely available data set from the Rocky Mountains of Canada, demonstrates application to real data. The data have highly irregular sampling along the shot coordinate, and they suffer from significant near-surface effects. Approximate regularization/datuming returns common receiver data that are superior in appearance compared to conventional datuming.

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.

DISPERSION IN SEISMIC SURFACE WAVES

Geophysics ◽  
1951 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milton B. Dobrin
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waves ◽  
Water Waves ◽  
Seismic Refraction ◽  
Wave Theory ◽  
Wave Dispersion ◽  
Surface Zone ◽  
Surface Wave Dispersion ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Arrival Times ◽  
Ground Roll

A non‐mathematical summary is presented of the published theories and observations on dispersion, i.e., variation of velocity with frequency, in surface waves from earthquakes and in waterborne waves from shallow‐water explosions. Two further instances are cited in which dispersion theory has been used in analyzing seismic data. In the seismic refraction survey of Bikini Atoll, information on the first 400 feet of sediments below the lagoon bottom could not be obtained from ground wave first arrival times because shot‐detector distances were too great. Dispersion in the water waves, however, gave data on speed variations in the bottom sediments which made possible inferences on the recent geological history of the atoll. Recent systematic observations on ground roll from explosions in shot holes have shown dispersion in the surface waves which is similar in many ways to that observed in Rayleigh waves from distant earthquakes. Classical wave theory attributes Rayleigh wave dispersion to the modification of the waves by a surface layer. In the case of earthquakes, this layer is the earth’s crust. In the case of waves from shot‐holes, it is the low‐speed weathered zone. A comparison of observed ground roll dispersion with theory shows qualitative agreement, but it brings out discrepancies attributable to the fact that neither the theory for liquids nor for conventional solids applies exactly to unconsolidated near‐surface rocks. Additional experimental and theoretical study of this type of surface wave dispersion may provide useful information on the properties of the surface zone and add to our knowledge of the mechanism by which ground roll is generated in seismic shooting.

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.

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