CDP mapping in tilted transversely isotropic (TTI) media. Part II: Velocity analysis by combining CDP mapping with a genetic algorithm

This paper presents a method for velocity analysis in tilted transversely isotropic (TTI) media by combining CDP mapping with a genetic algorithm. CDP mapping is a velocity analysis method for determining anisotropic velocity but has difficulties due to the following factors: (i) it involves a non-linear and multimodal objective function; (ii) it is prohibitively expensive in the evaluation of candidate solutions, which often involves the calculation of images in the depth domain; (iii) there is often a very large parameter space. Recognizing the global and multimodal nature of the problem, a genetic algorithm is employed to search for the optimal velocity model. The efficiency of the method contributes to two critical processes: rapid model evaluation, achieved by generating CDP mapping only in the neighbourhood of specific reflectors, and fast computation, based on Fermat's principle, of the CDP points and traveltimes in TTI media. The method produces subsurface structure images in the depth domain, and can also solve for Thomsen's anisotropic parameters (ɛ and δ), the vertical velocity and the dip of the symmetry axis in the model space, simultaneously.     

TI介质局部角度域射线追踪与叠前深度偏移成像

研究与实践表明,对于长偏移距、宽方位地震数据,忽略各向异性会明显降低成像质量,影响储层预测与描述的精度.针对典型的横向各向同性(TI)介质,本文面向深度域构造成像与偏移速度分析的需要,研究基于射线理论的局部角度域叠前深度偏移成像方法.它除了像传统Kirchhoff叠前深度偏移那样输出成像剖面和炮检距域的共成像点道集,还遵循地震波在成像点处的局部方向特征、基于扩展的脉冲响应叠加原理获得入射角度域和照明角度域的成像结果.为了方便快捷地实现TI介质射线走时与局部角度信息的计算,文中讨论和对比了两种改进的射线追踪方法:一种采用从经典各向异性介质射线方程演变而来的由相速度表征的简便形式;另一种采用由对称轴垂直的TI(即VTI)介质声学近似qP波波动方程推导出来的射线方程.文中通过坐标旋转将其扩展到了对称轴倾斜的TI(即TTI)介质.国际上通用的理论模型合成数据偏移试验表明,本文方法既适用于复杂构造成像,又可为TI介质深度域偏移速度分析与模型建立提供高效的偏移引擎.     

Anisotropic reverse-time migration for tilted TI media

Seismic anisotropy in dipping shales results in imaging and positioning problems for underlying structures. We develop an anisotropic reverse‐time depth migration approach for P‐wave and SV‐wave seismic data in transversely isotropic (TI) media with a tilted axis of symmetry normal to bedding. Based on an accurate phase velocity formula and dispersion relationships for weak anisotropy, we derive the wave equation for P‐wave and SV‐wave propagation in tilted transversely isotropic (TTI) media. The accuracy of the P‐wave equation and the SV‐wave equation is analyzed and compared with other acoustic wave equations for TTI media. Using this analysis and the pseudo‐spectral method, we apply reverse‐time migration to numerical and physical‐model data. According to the comparison between the isotropic and anisotropic migration results, the anisotropic reverse‐time depth migration offers significant improvements in positioning and reflector continuity over those obtained using isotropic algorithms.     

Earthquake location in transversely isotropic media with a tilted symmetry axis

The conventional intersection method for earthquake location in isotropic media is developed in the case of transversely isotropic media with a tilted symmetry axis (TTI media). The hypocenter is determined using its loci, which are calculated through a minimum travel time tree algorithm for ray tracing in TTI media. There are no restrictions on the structural complexity of the model or on the anisotropy strength of the medium. The location method is validated by its application to determine the hypocenter and origin time of an event in a complex TTI structure, in accordance with four hypotheses or study cases: (a) accurate model and arrival times, (b) perturbed model with randomly variable elastic parameter, (c) noisy arrival time data, and (d) incomplete set of observations from the seismic stations. Furthermore, several numerical tests demonstrate that the orientation of the symmetry axis has a significant effect on the hypocenter location when the seismic anisotropy is not very weak. Moreover, if the hypocentral determination is based on an isotropic reference model while the real medium is anisotropic, the resultant location errors can be considerable even though the anisotropy strength does not exceed 6.10%.     

Angle gathers in wave‐equation imaging for transversely isotropic media

In recent years, wave‐equation imaged data are often presented in common‐image angle‐domain gathers as a decomposition in the scattering angle at the reflector, which provide a natural access to analysing migration velocities and amplitudes. In the case of anisotropic media, the importance of angle gathers is enhanced by the need to properly estimate multiple anisotropic parameters for a proper representation of the medium. We extract angle gathers for each downward‐continuation step from converting offset‐frequency planes into angle‐frequency planes simultaneously with applying the imaging condition in a transversely isotropic with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI) medium. The analytic equations, though cumbersome, are exact within the framework of the acoustic approximation. They are also easily programmable and show that angle gather mapping in the case of anisotropic media differs from its isotropic counterpart, with the difference depending mainly on the strength of anisotropy. Synthetic examples demonstrate the importance of including anisotropy in the angle gather generation as mapping of the energy is negatively altered otherwise. In the case of a titled axis of symmetry (TTI), the same VTI formulation is applicable but requires a rotation of the wavenumbers.     

忽略TTI介质对称轴倾角的可行性

假设横向各向同性(TI)介质的对称轴是垂直的(VTI)或者水平的(HTI)能给实际资料处理带来便利,然而实际TI介质的对称轴往往是倾斜的(TTI),忽略对称轴倾角可能给各向异性参数提取和成像带来偏差,因此需要研究是否能、以及什么条件下能忽略TTI介质对称轴倾角.本文通过理论研究和数值分析研究了与TTI介质弹性性质最接近的VTI介质(OAVTI)的弹性常数和各向异性参数与原TTI介质的弹性常数和各向异性参数之间的联系与差别.结果表明:OAVTI介质各向异性参数与原TTI介质各向异性参数之间的差别可统一表示成F(α₀/β₀,ε,δ,γ)ξ²的形式,其中F(α₀/β₀,ε,δ,γ)是无量纲各向异性参数(ε, δ, γ)的线性函数,ξ是对称轴倾角;ξ的大小对各参数的误差起主导作用,一般不建议忽略20°~25°以上的对称轴倾角;当ξ较小时,即使是对强各向异性的TTI介质作VTI近似,引起的P波各向异性参数误差也很小,因此在纵波资料处理中忽略TTI介质对称轴倾角通常是可行的;即使在小ξ条件下,倾斜对称轴对SV波也有显著影响,因此在转换波资料处理中,不建议忽略TTI介质的对称轴倾角.本文的研究为分析忽略TTI介质对称轴倾角的可行性提供了理论依据和简便的判据.     

TTI介质qP波逆时偏移中伪横波噪声压制方法

在对地下复杂构造介质,特别是盐丘侧翼及岩下区域进行成像时,相对于传统的各向同性逆时偏移和VTI逆时偏移,具有倾斜对称轴的TTI逆时偏移成像效果最优.不仅反射同相轴更加的连续,而且能量得到了更好的聚焦.传统的各向异性介质全弹性波RTM的计算量大且计算效率低.由于目前仍以纵波勘探为主,因此TTI逆时偏移qP波波动方程的选取显得尤为重要.为了提高计算效率,采用将沿着对称轴方向的横波速度设为零的方法,简化得到qP波波动方程.然而,这样会引入一种严重影响成像效果的低速度、低振幅的qSV波人为干扰.本文建立了qP波方程的完全匹配层控制方程,而后借助于辅助波场采用一种高效的压制伪横波噪声传播的方法,通过模型测试验证了该方法的有效性.     

Pure quasi-P wave equation and numerical solution in 3D TTI media

Based on the pure quasi-P wave equation in transverse isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI media), a quasi-P wave equation is obtained in transverse isotropic media with a tilted symmetry axis (TTI media). This is achieved using projection transformation, which rotates the direction vector in the coordinate system of observation toward the direction vector for the coordinate system in which the z-component is parallel to the symmetry axis of the TTI media. The equation has a simple form, is easily calculated, is not influenced by the pseudo-shear wave, and can be calculated reliably when δ is greater than ε. The finite difference method is used to solve the equation. In addition, a perfectly matched layer (PML) absorbing boundary condition is obtained for the equation. Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation results with forward modeling prove that the equation can accurately simulate a quasi-P wave in TTI medium.     

Traveltime computation with the linearized eikonal equation for anisotropic media

A linearized eikonal equation is developed for transversely isotropic (TI) media with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI). It is linear with respect to perturbations in the horizontal velocity or the anisotropy parameter η. An iterative linearization of the eikonal equation is used as the basis for an algorithm of finite-difference traveltime computations. A practical implementation of this iterative technique is to start with a background model that consists of an elliptically anisotropic, inhomogeneous medium, since traveltimes for this type of medium can be calculated efficiently using eikonal solvers, such as the fast marching method. This constrains the perturbation to changes in the anisotropy parameter η (the parameter most responsible for imaging improvements in anisotropic media). The iterative implementation includes repetitive calculation of η from traveltimes, which is then used to evaluate the perturbation needed for the next round of traveltime calculations using the linearized eikonal equation. Unlike isotropic media, interpolation is needed to estimate η in areas where the traveltime field is independent of η, such as areas where the wave propagates vertically.
Typically, two to three iterations can give sufficient accuracy in traveltimes for imaging applications. The cost of each iteration is slightly less than the cost of a typical eikonal solver. However, this method will ultimately provide traveltime solutions for VTI media. The main limitation of the method is that some smoothness of the medium is required for the iterative implementation to work, especially since we evaluate derivatives of the traveltime field as part of the iterative approach. If a single perturbation is sufficient for the traveltime calculation, which may be the case for weak anisotropy, no smoothness of the medium is necessary. Numerical tests demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of this approach.     

带正则化校正的TTI介质qP波方程及其逆时偏移方法和应用

各向异性研究对地下介质精确成像有着重要的意义,在当前计算机硬件迅速发展及宽方位地震数据采集日益普遍的情况下,成像必须考虑介质的各向异性.逆时偏移是基于双程波动方程的较为精确的数值解的成像方法,所以相对于其他地震成像方法,它具有很大的优势,譬如不受反射界面的倾角限制、偏移速度结构合适时能够使回转波及多次波正确成像.在各向同性介质中,可使用标量波方程来模拟波场.而在各向异性介质中,P波和SV波是相互耦合的,即不存在单纯的标量波传播,通常利用能代表耦合波场中P波分量运动学特征的拟声波(qP波)进行偏移成像.本文中,我们推导出了TTI介质下qP波控制方程.该方程可采用显式有限差分格式进行求解.通过声学近似,若沿对称轴方向的剪切波速度为零,对于对称轴方向不变且ε≥δ的模型来说,可得到稳定的数值解.但对于TTI介质来说,由于沿对称轴方向各向异性参数是变化的,声学近似会引起波场传播及数值计算的不稳定.因此,我们提出了正则化有限横波的方法,很好地解决了这一问题.最后,给出了Foothill模型的测试结果及某探区实际资料试算结果,展示了采用这个方程进行复杂TTI模型正演和高质量逆时偏移成像结果,证实了该方法的正确性和实际资料应用中的有效性.     

Inversion for elliptically anisotropic velocity using VSP reflection traveltimes

This paper presents a traveltime inversion approach, using the reflection traveltimes from offset VSP data, to reconstruct the horizontal and vertical velocities for stratified anisotropic media. The inverse problem is reduced to a set of linear equations, and solved by the singular value decomposition (SVD) technique. The validity of this inversion scheme is verified using two sets of synthetic data simulated using a finite‐difference method, one for an isotropic model and the other for an elliptically anisotropic model. The inversion result demonstrates that our anisotropic velocity inversion scheme may be applied to both isotropic and anisotropic media. The method is finally applied to a real offset VSP data set, acquired in an oilfield in northwestern China.     

SEISMIC RAY TRACING USING LINEAR TRAVELTIME INTERPOLATION1

A new ray-tracing method called linear traveltime interpolation (LTI) is proposed. This method computes traveltimes and raypaths in a 2D velocity structure more rapidly and accurately than other conventional methods. The LTI method is formulated for a 2D cell model, and calculations of traveltimes and raypaths are carried out only on cell boundaries. Therefore a raypath is considered to be always straight in a cell with uniform velocity. This approach is suitable to tomography analysis. The algorithm of LTI consists of two separate steps: step 1 calculates traveltimes on all cell boundaries; step 2 traces raypaths for all pairs of receivers and the shot. A traveltime at an arbitrary point on a cell boundary is assumed to be linearly interpolated between traveltimes at the adjacent discrete points at which we calculate traveltimes. Fermat's principle is used as the criterion for choosing the correct traveltimes and raypaths from several candidates routinely. The LTI method has been compared numerically with the shooting method and the finite-difference method (FDM) of the eikonal equation. The results show that the LTI method has great advantages of high speed and high accuracy in the calculation of both traveltimes and raypaths. The LTI method can be regarded as an advanced version of the conventional FDM of the eikonal equation because the formulae of FDM are independently derived from LTI. In the process of derivation, it is shown theoretically that LTI is more accurate than FDM. Moreover in the LTI method, we can avoid the numerical instability that occurs in Vidale's method where the velocity changes abruptly.     

Moveout analysis for tranversely isotropic media with a tilted symmetry axis

The transversely isotropic (TI) model with a tilted axis of symmetry may be typical, for instance, for sediments near the flanks of salt domes. This work is devoted to an analysis of reflection moveout from horizontal and dipping reflectors in the symmetry plane of TI media that contains the symmetry axis. While for vertical and horizontal transverse isotropy zero-offset reflections exist for the full range of dips up to 90°, this is no longer the case for intermediate axis orientations. For typical homogeneous models with a symmetry axis tilted towards the reflector, wavefront distortions make it impossible to generate specular zero-offset reflected rays from steep interfaces. The ‘missing’ dipping planes can be imaged only in vertically inhomogeneous media by using turning waves. These unusual phenomena may have serious implications in salt imaging. In non-elliptical TI media, the tilt of the symmetry axis may have a drastic influence on normal-moveout (NMO) velocity from horizontal reflectors, as well as on the dependence of NMO velocity on the ray parameter p (the ‘dip-moveout (DMO) signature’). The DMO signature retains the same character as for vertical transverse isotropy only for near-vertical and near-horizontal orientation of the symmetry axis. The behaviour of NMO velocity rapidly changes if the symmetry axis is tilted away from the vertical, with a tilt of ±20° being almost sufficient to eliminate the influence of the anisotropy on the DMO signature. For larger tilt angles and typical positive values of the difference between the anisotropic parameters ε and δ, the NMO velocity increases with p more slowly than in homogeneous isotropic media; a dependence usually caused by a vertical velocity gradient. Dip-moveout processing for a wide range of tilt angles requires application of anisotropic DMO algorithms. The strong influence of the tilt angle on P-wave moveout can be used to constrain the tilt using P-wave NMO velocity in the plane that includes the symmetry axis. However, if the azimuth of the axis is unknown, the inversion for the axis orientation cannot be performed without a 3D analysis of reflection traveltimes on lines with different azimuthal directions.     

多层垂直对称轴横向各向同性介质精确走时计算

给出了计算多层垂直对称轴横向各向同性（VTI）介质精确射线路径和走时的方法,所用的体波相速度公式、群速度公式和Snell定律都是严格的显式解析公式. 任意基本波的射线路径和走时计算问题都可以转化成一个等效的透射问题,再用文中的公式来计算,具体实现方法用一个多次波和一个首波的实例给出. 最后分别用精确公式和Thomsen近似公式计算了相同模型相同基本波的走时曲线. 比较两者计算结果可发现, 近似公式反复使用会使误差积累,同时揭示了近似公式适用范围的局限性,强调了使用近似公式需要注意其适用范围的重要性.      

TTI介质弹性波相速度与偏振特征分析

相速度和偏振方向是研究地震波传播规律和描述介质特性的重要参数,在理论研究和实际应用中有重要作用.本文假定倾斜横向各向同性(TTI)介质对称轴位于观测坐标系XOZ面内,在此观测坐标系下直接推导了TTI介质弹性波相速度和偏振方向的解析表达式,再进一步利用Thomsen弱各向异性理论,推导了弱各向异性近似条件下弹性波相速度以及qP波和qSV波偏振方向表达式.理论分析和数值试例表明,在相速度方面,随着各向异性介质参数改变,qP波和qSH波速度变化较为平缓,qSV波速度变化较为剧烈.弹性波相速度近似式误差均较小,能较好地近似精确相速度.在偏振方向方面,SH波偏振方向只是传播方向和对称轴倾角的函数,而与各向异性参数无关,SH波偏振方向既垂直于传播方向,又垂直于TTI介质对称轴方向.除特定方向外,qP波和qSV波的偏振方向与传播方向均成一定角度,并且随TTI介质对称轴倾角的改变而改变;在精确和近似情况下,qP波和qSV波的偏振方向始终垂直;在精度允许范围内,偏振方向的弱各向异性近似式与理论解析式吻合较好.     

TTI介质的交错网格伪P波正演方法

研究了三维弱各向异性近似下,利用伪P波(伪纵波)模拟弹性波场P分量在倾斜对称轴的横向各向同性(TTI)介质中的传播过程,并对比了分别基于弹性Hooke定律、弹性波投影和运动学色散方程所建立的三种二阶差分伪P波方程的正演特点.目前这些伪P波方程数值计算主要采用规则网格差分,但是规则网格在TTI模拟中有低效率、低精度以及不稳定的缺点.为了提高计算的精度,本文构建出相应方程的交错网格有限差分格式.通过对比伪P波方程在三维TTI介质中不同的数值模拟的表达形式,本文认为基于色散方程所建立的伪P波方程在模拟弹性波中P波传播的过程中具有最小的噪声.本文分析不同的各向同性对称轴空间角度的频散特征,并引入适当的横波速度维持计算的稳定.二维模型算例表明,本文提出的交错网格正演算法可以得到稳定光滑的伪P波正演波场.使用本文交错网格算法对二维BP TTI模型的逆时偏移也具有较稳定的偏移结果.     

基于walkaway VSP下行P波的TTI各向异性参数反演

本文基于弱各向异性（WA）介质的正反演公式和qP波的坐标变换,推导了利用qP波反演任意倾斜对称轴的横向各向同性（TTI）介质的各向异性参数和对称轴方向的公式.理论和数值实验表明,利用2个相互正交的变井源距垂直地震剖面（walkaway VSP）可以完全确定钻井中TTI介质qP波的3个WA参数和对称轴的2个方向参数.我们完成了几个由不同数量剖面组成的walkaway VSP模拟实验,使用TTI模型和一般各向异性模型对模拟数据进行了反演,证明了反演公式的正确性和可靠性.使用这些公式,对来自Java Sea的由3条剖面组成的walkaway VSP观测数据进行了各向异性反演,获得了钻井中接收点处介质的WA参数.     

二维各向异性介质中地震波场的高阶同位网格有限差分模拟

本文将DRP/opt MacCormack有限差分格式用于模拟二维各向异性介质中的地震波传播.DRP/opt MacCormack是一种同位网格下的差分格式,避免了传统的交错网格在计算各向异性问题时由于变量插值而导致的误差.而且相对于低阶同位网格差分格式,它具有低色散、低耗散的优点.此格式将中心差分算子分成前向和后向两个空间单边差分,然后在4-6步Runge-Kutta时间积分中使用单边差分组合.在具有垂直对称轴的横向各向同性（VTI）模型下,通过对比DRP/opt MacCormack有限差分和谱元方法的模拟结果,验证了前者具有很高的精度和稳定性.由于实际地质条件下TI介质的对称轴通常是倾斜的(TTI),本文在二维三分量框架下模拟TTI介质中的地震波场.结果显示横波分裂和切平面/反平面运动耦合的特征.数值实验表明DRP/opt MacCormack是一种有效的研究各向异性介质中地震波传播规律的差分格式.