3D description and inversion of reflection moveout of PS‐waves in anisotropic media

Common‐midpoint moveout of converted waves is generally asymmetric with respect to zero offset and cannot be described by the traveltime series t²(x²) conventionally used for pure modes. Here, we present concise parametric expressions for both common‐midpoint (CMP) and common‐conversion‐point (CCP) gathers of PS‐waves for arbitrary anisotropic, horizontally layered media above a plane dipping reflector. This analytic representation can be used to model 3D (multi‐azimuth) CMP gathers without time‐consuming two‐point ray tracing and to compute attributes of PS moveout such as the slope of the traveltime surface at zero offset and the coordinates of the moveout minimum. In addition to providing an efficient tool for forward modelling, our formalism helps to carry out joint inversion of P and PS data for transverse isotropy with a vertical symmetry axis (VTI media). If the medium above the reflector is laterally homogeneous, P‐wave reflection moveout cannot constrain the depth scale of the model needed for depth migration. Extending our previous results for a single VTI layer, we show that the interval vertical velocities of the P‐ and S‐waves (V_P0 and V_S0) and the Thomsen parameters ε and δ can be found from surface data alone by combining P‐wave moveout with the traveltimes of the converted PS(PSV)‐wave. If the data are acquired only on the dip line (i.e. in 2D), stable parameter estimation requires including the moveout of P‐ and PS‐waves from both a horizontal and a dipping interface. At the first stage of the velocity‐analysis procedure, we build an initial anisotropic model by applying a layer‐stripping algorithm to CMP moveout of P‐ and PS‐waves. To overcome the distorting influence of conversion‐point dispersal on CMP gathers, the interval VTI parameters are refined by collecting the PS data into CCP gathers and repeating the inversion. For 3D surveys with a sufficiently wide range of source–receiver azimuths, it is possible to estimate all four relevant parameters (V_P0, V_S0, ε and δ) using reflections from a single mildly dipping interface. In this case, the P‐wave NMO ellipse determined by 3D (azimuthal) velocity analysis is combined with azimuthally dependent traveltimes of the PS‐wave. On the whole, the joint inversion of P and PS data yields a VTI model suitable for depth migration of P‐waves, as well as processing (e.g. transformation to zero offset) of converted waves.     

Non-hyperbolic moveout inversion of wide-azimuth P-wave data for orthorhombic media

The azimuthally varying non‐hyperbolic moveout of P‐waves in orthorhombic media can provide valuable information for characterization of fractured reservoirs and seismic processing. Here, we present a technique to invert long‐spread, wide‐azimuth P‐wave data for the orientation of the vertical symmetry planes and five key moveout parameters: the symmetry‐plane NMO velocities, V⁽¹⁾_nmo and V⁽²⁾_nmo , and the anellipticity parameters, η⁽¹⁾, η⁽²⁾ and η⁽³⁾ . The inversion algorithm is based on a coherence operator that computes the semblance for the full range of offsets and azimuths using a generalized version of the Alkhalifah–Tsvankin non‐hyperbolic moveout equation. The moveout equation provides a close approximation to the reflection traveltimes in layered anisotropic media with a uniform orientation of the vertical symmetry planes. Numerical tests on noise‐contaminated data for a single orthorhombic layer show that the best‐constrained parameters are the azimuth ? of one of the symmetry planes and the velocities V⁽¹⁾_nmo and V⁽²⁾_nmo , while the resolution in η⁽¹⁾ and η⁽²⁾ is somewhat compromised by the trade‐off between the quadratic and quartic moveout terms. The largest uncertainty is observed in the parameter η⁽³⁾ , which influences only long‐spread moveout in off‐symmetry directions. For stratified orthorhombic models with depth‐dependent symmetry‐plane azimuths, the moveout equation has to be modified by allowing the orientation of the effective NMO ellipse to differ from the principal azimuthal direction of the effective quartic moveout term. The algorithm was successfully tested on wide‐azimuth P‐wave reflections recorded at the Weyburn Field in Canada. Taking azimuthal anisotropy into account increased the semblance values for most long‐offset reflection events in the overburden, which indicates that fracturing is not limited to the reservoir level. The inverted symmetry‐plane directions are close to the azimuths of the off‐trend fracture sets determined from borehole data and shear‐wave splitting analysis. The effective moveout parameters estimated by our algorithm provide input for P‐wave time imaging and geometrical‐spreading correction in layered orthorhombic media.     

A new parameterization for generalized moveout approximation,based on three rays

A simple and accurate traveltime approximation is important in many applications in seismic data processing, inversion and modelling stages. Generalized moveout approximation is an explicit equation that approximates reflection traveltimes in general two-dimensional models. Definition of its five parameters can be done from properties of finite offset rays, for general models, or by explicit calculation from model properties, for specific models. Two versions of classical finite-offset parameterization for this approximation use traveltime and traveltime derivatives of two rays to define five parameters, which makes them asymmetrical. Using a third ray, we propose a balance between the number of rays and the order of traveltime derivatives. Our tests using different models also show the higher accuracy of the proposed method. For acoustic transversely isotropic media with a vertical symmetry axis, we calculate a new moveout approximation in the generalized moveout approximation functional form, which is explicitly defined by three independent parameters of zero-offset two-way time, normal moveout velocity and anellipticity parameter. Our test shows that the maximum error of the proposed transversely isotropic moveout approximation is about 1/6 to 1/8 of that of the moveout approximation that had been reported as the most accurate approximation in these media. The higher accuracy is the result of a novel parameterization that do not add any computational complexity. We show a simple example of its application on synthetic seismic data.     

Normal moveout velocity for pure‐mode and converted waves in layered orthorhombic medium

We study the azimuthally dependent hyperbolic moveout approximation for small angles (or offsets) for quasi‐compressional, quasi‐shear, and converted waves in one‐dimensional multi‐layer orthorhombic media. The vertical orthorhombic axis is the same for all layers, but the azimuthal orientation of the horizontal orthorhombic axes at each layer may be different. By starting with the known equation for normal moveout velocity with respect to the surface‐offset azimuth and applying our derived relationship between the surface‐offset azimuth and phase‐velocity azimuth, we obtain the normal moveout velocity versus the phase‐velocity azimuth. As the surface offset/azimuth moveout dependence is required for analysing azimuthally dependent moveout parameters directly from time‐domain rich azimuth gathers, our phase angle/azimuth formulas are required for analysing azimuthally dependent residual moveout along the migrated local‐angle‐domain common image gathers. The angle and azimuth parameters of the local‐angle‐domain gathers represent the opening angle between the incidence and reflection slowness vectors and the azimuth of the phase velocity ψ_phs at the image points in the specular direction. Our derivation of the effective velocity parameters for a multi‐layer structure is based on the fact that, for a one‐dimensional model assumption, the horizontal slowness and the azimuth of the phase velocity ψ_phs remain constant along the entire ray (wave) path. We introduce a special set of auxiliary parameters that allow us to establish equivalent effective model parameters in a simple summation manner. We then transform this set of parameters into three widely used effective parameters: fast and slow normal moveout velocities and azimuth of the slow one. For completeness, we show that these three effective normal moveout velocity parameters can be equivalently obtained in both surface‐offset azimuth and phase‐velocity azimuth domains.     

Moveout approximation for horizontal transversely isotropic and vertical transversely isotropic layered medium. Part I: 1D ray propagation‡

Anisotropy in subsurface geological models is primarily caused by two factors: sedimentation in shale/sand layers and fractures. The sedimentation factor is mainly modelled by vertical transverse isotropy (VTI), whereas the fractures are modelled by a horizontal transversely isotropic medium (HTI). In this paper we study hyperbolic and non‐hyperbolic normal reflection moveout for a package of HTI/VTI layers, considering arbitrary azimuthal orientation of the symmetry axis at each HTI layer. We consider a local 1D medium, whose properties change vertically, with flat interfaces between the layers. In this case, the horizontal slowness is preserved; thus, the azimuth of the phase velocity is the same for all layers of the package. In general, however, the azimuth of the ray velocity differs from the azimuth of the phase velocity. The ray azimuth depends on the layer properties and may be different for each layer. In this case, the use of the Dix equation requires projection of the moveout velocity of each layer on the phase plane. We derive an accurate equation for hyperbolic and high‐order terms of the normal moveout, relating the traveltime to the surface offset, or alternatively, to the subsurface reflection angle. We relate the azimuth of the surface offset to its magnitude (or to the reflection angle), considering short and long offsets. We compare the derived approximations with analytical ray tracing.     

平面声波在粗糙界面上的反射特征研究

基于有关粗糙界面的Rayleigh假设,讨论了平面声波按余弦规律快速变化的小尺度粗糙界面上的反射特征.研究表明：这类界面与位于该位置的一个过渡地层的作用相当.该过渡层的厚度为粗糙界面的起伏幅度,速度和密度为上下两层介质相应量的平均值.研究了埋藏很深的微粗糙界面所引起的地震反射（绕射）波的频散特性和走时的构成,即包含零炮检距反射时间、正常时差和界面粗糙时差三部分内容.该粗糙时差与空间坐标和时间坐标无关,与绕射波的阶次有关,绕射波尾随在反射波之后以某一固定的时差出现.且只有当界面的粗糙波长与地震波的波长相当时,才能观测到这类绕射波.该结论为粗糙界面地震反射资料的处理方法提供了理论依据.     

表驱三维角度域Kirchhoff叠前时间偏移成像方法

针对传统Kirchhoff叠前时间偏移方法的一些不足,以及振幅随入射角、方位角变化(AVA/AVAZ)分析的需要,本文提出一种基于射线理论的三维叠前时间偏移角度域成像方法.它通过横向均匀介质中稳健的射线追踪建立单程波走时和传播角度的数值表,然后在此基础上估算反射波双程走时以及在界面处传播的方位角和入射角,最后基于脉冲响应叠加原理获得三维构造图像和方位\|角度域共成像点道集.与传统方法不同之处在于,上述过程均考虑了地震波在垂向变速介质中的射线弯曲效应和三维传播特征,有利于准确提取随入射角和方位角变化的振幅和时差信息.理论模型合成数据和实际地震资料测试结果展示了方法的优越性与实用性.     

Seismic data interpolation using generalised velocity‐dependent seislet transform

Data interpolation is an important step for seismic data analysis because many processing tasks, such as multiple attenuation and migration, are based on regularly sampled seismic data. Failed interpolations may introduce artifacts and eventually lead to inaccurate final processing results. In this paper, we generalised seismic data interpolation as a basis pursuit problem and proposed an iteration framework for recovering missing data. The method is based on non‐linear iteration and sparse transform. A modified Bregman iteration is used for solving the constrained minimisation problem based on compressed sensing. The new iterative strategy guarantees fast convergence by using a fixed threshold value. We also propose a generalised velocity‐dependent formulation of the seislet transform as an effective sparse transform, in which the non‐hyperbolic normal moveout equation serves as a bridge between local slope patterns and moveout parametres in the common‐midpoint domain. It can also be reduced to the traditional velocity‐dependent seislet if special heterogeneity parametre is selected. The generalised velocity‐dependent seislet transform predicts prestack reflection data in offset coordinates, which provides a high compression of reflection events. The method was applied to synthetic and field data examples, and the results show that the generalised velocity‐dependent seislet transform can reconstruct missing data with the help of the modified Bregman iteration even for non‐hyperbolic reflections under complex conditions, such as vertical transverse isotropic (VTI) media or aliasing.     

NUMERICAL RAY GENERATION IN THE COMPUTATION OF SYNTHETIC VERTICAL SEISMIC PROFILES1

Ray theories are a class of methods often chosen to compute synthetic seismograms due to their efficiency and ability to deal with complex, three-dimensional inhomogeneous media. To deal with the large number of rays needed to compute synthetic seismograms, a ray generation algorithm is given which is capable of generating a numerical code describing each ray. The code describes a subset of all possible rays by considering only pre-critical reflections. In a horizontally plane-layered medium the generation of rays and computation of amplitudes and traveltimes can be efficiently accomplished by grouping the rays into reflection order and dynamic analogue groups. Expressions summing all unconverted rays and rays with a single mode conversion are given for source and receiver located at arbitrary positions within the medium. Examples of zero-offset synthetic VSPs obtained by this method are given.     

Generalized Dix equation and analytic treatment of normal-moveout velocity for anisotropic media*

Despite the complexity of wave propagation in anisotropic media, reflection moveout on conventional common-midpoint (CMP) spreads is usually well described by the normal-moveout (NMO) velocity defined in the zero-offset limit. In their recent work, Grechka and Tsvankin showed that the azimuthal variation of NMO velocity around a fixed CMP location generally has an elliptical form (i.e. plotting the NMO velocity in each azimuthal direction produces an ellipse) and is determined by the spatial derivatives of the slowness vector evaluated at the CMP location. This formalism is used here to develop exact solutions for the NMO velocity in anisotropic media of arbitrary symmetry. For the model of a single homogeneous layer above a dipping reflector, we obtain an explicit NMO expression valid for all pure modes and any orientation of the CMP line with respect to the reflector strike. The contribution of anisotropy to NMO velocity is contained in the slowness components of the zero-offset ray (along with the derivatives of the vertical slowness with respect to the horizontal slownesses) — quantities that can be found in a straightforward way from the Christoffel equation. If the medium above a dipping reflector is horizontally stratified, the effective NMO velocity is determined through a Dix-type average of the matrices responsible for the ‘interval’ NMO ellipses in the individual layers. This generalized Dix equation provides an analytic basis for moveout inversion in vertically inhomogeneous, arbitrarily anisotropic media. For models with a throughgoing vertical symmetry plane (i.e. if the dip plane of the reflector coincides with a symmetry plane of the overburden), the semi-axes of the NMO ellipse are found by the more conventional rms averaging of the interval NMO velocities in the dip and strike directions. Modelling of normal moveout in general heterogeneous anisotropic media requires dynamic ray tracing of only one (zero-offset) ray. Remarkably, the expressions for geometrical spreading along the zero-offset ray contain all the components necessary to build the NMO ellipse. This method is orders of magnitude faster than multi-azimuth, multi-offset ray tracing and, therefore, can be used efficiently in traveltime inversion and in devising fast dip-moveout (DMO) processing algorithms for anisotropic media. This technique becomes especially efficient if the model consists of homogeneous layers or blocks separated by smooth interfaces. The high accuracy of our NMO expressions is illustrated by comparison with ray-traced reflection traveltimes in piecewise-homogeneous, azimuthally anisotropic models. We also apply the generalized Dix equation to field data collected over a fractured reservoir and show that P-wave moveout can be used to find the depth-dependent fracture orientation and to evaluate the magnitude of azimuthal anisotropy.     

Multifocus moveout revisited: derivations and alternative expressions

The multifocus moveout of Gelchinsky et al. [Gelchinsky, B., Berkovitch, A., Keydar, S., 1997. Multifocusing homeomorphic imaging: Parts I and II: Course Notes, Special Course on Homeomorphic Imaging. Seeheim, Germany] is a powerful tool for stacking multicoverage data in arbitrary configurations. Based on general ray theoretical assumptions and on attractively simple geometrical considerations, the multifocus moveout is designed to express the traveltimes of neighbouring rays arbitrarily located around a fixed central, primary reflected or even diffracted, ray. In this work, the basic derivations and results concerning the multifocus approach are reviewed. A higher-order multifocus moveout expression that generalizes the corresponding one of Gelchinsky is obtained from slight modifications of the original derivation. An alternative form of the obtained multifocus expression that is best suited for numerical implementation is also provided. By means of a simple numerical experiment, we also comment on the accuracy of the multifocus traveltime approximations.     

THE INTERPRETATION OF TRAVELTIME FIELDS IN REFRACTION SEISMOLOGY*

We consider multiply covered traveltimes of first or later arrivals which are gathered along a refraction seismic profile. The two-dimensional distribution of these traveltimes above a coordinate frame generated by the shotpoint axis and the geophone axis or by the common midpoint axis and the offset axis is named a traveltime field. The application of the principle of reciprocity to the traveltime field implies that for each traveltime value with a negative offset there is a corresponding equal value with positive offset. In appendix A procedures are demonstrated which minimize the observational errors of traveltimes inherent in particular traveltime branches or complete common shotpoint sections. The application of the principle of parallelism to an area of the traveltime field associated with a particular refractor can be formulated as a partial differential equation corresponding to the type of the vibrating string. The solution of this equation signifies that the two-dimensional distribution of these traveltimes may be generated by the sum of two one-dimensional functions which depend on the shotpoint coordinate and the geophone coordinate. Physically, these two functions may be interpreted as the mean traveltime branches of the reverse and the normal shot. In appendix B procedures are described which compute these two functions from real traveltime observations by a least-squares fit. The application of these regressed traveltime field data to known time-to-depth conversion methods is straightforward and more accurate and flexible than the use of individual traveltime branches. The wavefront method, the plus-minus method, the generalized reciprocal method and a ray tracing method are considered in detail. A field example demonstrates the adjustment of regressed traveltime fields to observed traveltime data. A time-to-depth conversion is also demonstrated applying a ray tracing method.     

广角反射地震资料特殊处理方法研究

广角反射折射地震资料是较特殊的一类资料,其明显特点是:记录长,排列长,多种波场混合、反射能量强。用其进行深层勘探,可以大幅度提高深层地震资料的品质。本文从理论推导和模型试算上给出了反射资料不同于常规采集资料的处理方法，即反射波和折射波分离技术,大偏移距动校正叠加及正反演技术。尤其值得一提的是将这种海上的方法首次应用到了辽河地区陆上资料,并较好的提高了深层资料的品质。在浅层资料中大面积火山岩屏蔽区也取得较好效果。     

Reflection-constrained 2D and 3D non-hyperbolic moveout analysis using particle swarm optimization

The objective of moveout parameter inversion is to derive sets of parameter models that can be used for moveout correction and stacking at each common midpoint location to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of the data and to provide insights into the kinematic characteristics of the data amongst other things. In this paper, we introduce a data-driven user-constrained optimization scheme that utilizes manual picks at a point on each reflector within a common midpoint gather to constrain the search space in which an optimization procedure can search for the optimal parameter sets at each reflection. The picks are used to create boundary curves which can be derived approximately via an optimization technique or analytically via the derivation of an analytical bounds function. In this paper, we derive analytical forms of bounds functions for four different moveout cases. These are normal moveout, non-hyperbolic moveout, azimuthally dependent normal moveout and azimuthally dependent non-hyperbolic moveout. The optimization procedure utilized here to search for the optimal moveout parameters is the particle swarm optimization technique. However, any metaheuristic optimization procedure could be modified to account for the constraints introduced in this paper. The technique is tested on two-layer synthetic models based on three of the four moveout cases discussed in this paper. It is also applied to an elastic forward modelled synthetic model called the HESS model, and finally to real 2D land data from Alaska. The resultant stacks show a marked improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio compared to the raw stacks. The results for the normal moveout, non-hyperbolic moveout and azimuthally dependent normal moveout tests suggest that the method is viable for said models. Results demonstrate that our method offers potential as an alternative to conventional parameter picking and inversion schemes, particularly for some cases where the number of parameters in the moveout approximation is 2 or greater.     

Traveltime approximation in vertical transversely isotropic layered media

The well‐known asymptotic fractional four‐parameter traveltime approximation and the five‐parameter generalised traveltime approximation in stratified multi‐layer transversely isotropic elastic media with a vertical axis of symmetry have been widely used for pure‐mode and converted waves. The first three parameters of these traveltime expansions are zero‐offset traveltime, normal moveout velocity, and quartic coefficient, ensuring high accuracy of traveltimes at short offsets. The additional parameter within the four‐parameter approximation is an effective horizontal velocity accounting for large offsets, which is important to avoid traveltime divergence at large offsets. The two additional parameters in the above‐mentioned five‐parameter approximation ensure higher accuracy up to a given large finite offset with an exact match at this offset. In this paper, we propose two alternative five‐parameter traveltime approximations, which can be considered extensions of the four‐parameter approximation and an alternative to the five‐parameter approximation previously mentioned. The first three short‐offset parameters are the same as before, but the two additional long‐offset parameters are different and have specific physical meaning. One of them describes the propagation in the high‐velocity layer of the overburden (nearly horizontal propagation in the case of very large offsets), and the other characterises the intercept time corresponding to the critical slowness that includes contributions of the lower velocity layers only. Unlike the above‐mentioned approximations, both of the proposed traveltime approximations converge to the theoretical (asymptotic) linear traveltime at the limit case of very large (“infinite”) offsets. Their accuracy for moderate to very large offsets, for quasi‐compressional waves, converted waves, and shear waves polarised in the horizontal plane, is extremely high in cases where the overburden model contains at least one layer with a dominant higher velocity compared with the other layers. We consider the implementation of the proposed traveltime approximations in all classes of problems in which the above‐mentioned approximations are used, such as reflection and diffraction analysis and imaging.     

起伏地形下的高精度反射波走时层析成像方法

全球造山带及中国大陆中西部普遍具有强烈起伏的地形条件.复杂地形条件下的地壳结构成像问题像一面旗帜引领了当前矿产资源勘探和地球动力学研究的一个重要方向.深地震测深记录中反射波的有效探测深度可达全地壳乃至上地幔顶部,而初至波通常仅能探测上地壳浅部.为克服和弥补初至波探测深度的不足,本文基于前人对复杂地形条件下初至波成像的已有研究成果,采用数学变换手段将笛卡尔坐标系的不规则模型映射到曲线坐标系的规则模型,并将快速扫描方法与分区多步技术相结合,发展了反射波走时计算和射线追踪的方法.进而利用反射波走时反演,实现起伏地形下高精度的速度结构成像,从而为起伏地形下利用反射波数据高精度重建全地壳速度结构提供了一种全新方案.数值算例从正演计算精度、反演中初始模型依赖性、反演精度、纵横向分辨率以及抗噪性等方面验证了算法的正确性和可靠性.     

起伏地表煤田地震资料静校正

由于地表起伏和近地表结构变化产生的静校正问题严重影响了煤田地震资料的成像质量.为此,首先利用低速带分片拟合的广义线性反演技术进行折射波静校正,解决长波长静校正问题和部分短波长静校正问题,然后,利用叠加能量最大静校正技术进一步解决剩余静校正问题,最后,利用非地表一致性剩余时差校正技术,解决速度和射线等误差引起的非地表一致性剩余时差问题.实验结果表明,在以串连的方式应用了三种校正方法之后,在共炮点道集上,折射渡同相轴的线性形态得到了恢复;在动校正后的共中心点道集上,煤层反射的双曲线同相轴被拉平;在叠加剖面上,煤层反射的信噪比得到了改善.