A NONITERATIVE PROCEDURE FOR INVERTING PLANE-WAVE REFLECTION DATA AT SEVERAL ANGLES OF INCIDENCE USING THE RICCATI EQUATION*

Various exact methods of inverting the complete waveform of vertical seismic reflection data to produce acoustic impedance profiles have been suggested. These inverse methods generally remain valid for nonvertical, plane-wave data, provided total reflection does not occur. Thus, in principle, the “seismogram” at each ray parameter in a slant stack can be interpreted separately. Rather than invert each plane-wave seismogram separately, they can all be interpreted simultaneously and an “average” model thus obtained. Inversion for both the velocity and the density also becomes possible when two or more plane-wave seismograms are simultaneously inverted. The theory for a noniterative inversion method, based on the time-domain Riccati equation, is discussed. Numerical examples of inversions using this technique on synthetic data demonstrate its numerical stability and the advantage of simultaneous inversion of several seismograms to reduce the effect of noise in the data and increase the stability of the inversion process.     

LEVINSON INVERSION OF EARTHQUAKE GEOMETRY SH-TRANSMISSION SEISMOGRAMS IN THE PRESENCE OF NOISE*

The Kunetz-Claerbout equation for the acoustic transmission problem in a layered medium in its original form establishes the relation between the transmission and the reflec tion response for P-waves in an horizontally layered medium and with vertical incidence. It states that the reflection seismogram due to an impulsive source at the surface, is one side of the autocorrelation of the seismogram due to an impulsive source at depth and a surface receiver. By adapting Claerbout's formulation to the transmission of SH-waves, the Kunetz-Claerbout equation also holds for reflection and transmission coefficients dependent on the incident angle. Thus, earthquake geometry SH-transmission seismograms can be used to caculate corresponding pseudoreflection seismograms which, in turn, can be inverted for the impedance structure using the Levinson algorithm. If the average incidence angle is known, a geometrical correction on the resulting impedance model can improve the resolution of layer thicknesses. In contrast to the inversion of reflection seismograms, the Levinson algorithm is shown to yield stable results for the inversion of transmission seismograms even in the presence of additive noise. This noise stabilization is inherent to the Kunetz-Claerbout equation. Results of inverted SH-wave microearthquake seismograms from the Swabian Jura, SW Germany, seismic zone obtained at recording site Hausen im Tal have been compared with sonic-log data from nearby exploration drilling at Trochtelfingen. The agreement of the main structural elements is fair to a depth of several hundred metres.     

Data acquisition and pre-processing required for simultaneous P-SV inversion

The goal of seismic reflection surveys is the derivation of petrophysical subsurface parameters from surface measurements. Today's well established technique in data acquisition, as well as processing terms, is based on the acoustic approximation to the real world's wave propagation. In recent years a lot of work has been done to extend the technique to the elastic approximation. There was especially an important trend towards elastic inversion techniques operating on plane-wave seismograms, called simultaneous P-SV inversion (or short P-SV inversion) within this paper. Being still under investigation, some important aspects of P-SV inversion concerning data acquisition as well as pre-processing, should be pointed out. To fit the assumptions of P-SV inversion schemes, at least a two-dimensional picture of the reflected wavefield with vertical and in-line horizontal receivers has to be recorded. Moreover, the theoretical work done suggests that in addition to a survey with a compressional wave source, a second survey should be done using sources radiating vertically polarized shear waves, is needed. Finally, proper slant stacking must be performed to get plane-wave seismograms. The P/S separated plane-wave seismograms are then well prepared for feeding into the inversion algorithms. P/S separated planewave seismograms are then well prepared for feeding into the inversion algorithm.s In this paper, a tutorial overview of the data acquisition and pre-processing in accordance with the P-SV inversion philosophy is given and illustrated using synthetic seismograms. A judgement on the feasibility of the P-SV inversion philosophy must be left to ongoing research.     

WAVE SCATTERING DECONVOLUTION BY SEISMIC INVERSION*

We propose a wave scattering approach to the problem of deconvolution by the inversion of the reflection seismogram. Rather than using the least-squares approach, we study the full wave solution of the one-dimensional wave equation for deconvolution. Randomness of the reflectivity is not a necessary assumption in this method. Both the reflectivity and the section multiple train can be predicted from the boundary data (the reflection seismogram). This is in contrast to the usual statistical approach in which reflectivity is unpredictable and random, and the section multiple train is the only predictable component of the seismogram. The proposed scattering approach also differs from Claerbout's method based on the Kunetz equation. The coupled first-order hyperbolic wave equations have been obtained from the equation of motion and the law of elasticity. These equations have been transformed in terms of characteristics. A finite-difference numerical scheme for the downward continuation of the free-surface reflection seismogram has been developed. The discrete causal solutions for forward and inverse problems have been obtained. The computer algorithm recursively solves for the pressure and particle velocity response and the impedance log. The method accomplishes deconvolution and impedance log reconstruction. We have tested the method by computer model experiments and obtained satisfactory results using noise-free synthetic data. Further study is recommended for the method's application to real data.     

NON-NORMAL INCIDENCE STATE-SPACE MODEL AND LINE SOURCE REFLECTION SYNTHETIC SEISMOGRAM*

This paper is directed at modeling layered media. We extend the plane-wave normal-incidence state-space model developed by Mendel, Nahi and Chan in 1979, to the non-normal incidence case. To do this we introduce a shifting principle, a zero-offset wavefront, and zero-offset travel times for different layers. We also develop an algorithm for obtaining a synthetic line source reflection seismogram. In this algorithm non-normal incidence plane-wave seismograms are summed over a range of incident angles. The algorithm is based on a modified version of Sommerfield's (1896) theorem. Simulations of acoustic and elastic media are included which illustrate the applicability of our plane-wave and line source seismograms for both elastic and acoustic cases.     

TIME-DOMAIN COMPUTATION OF NON-NORMAL INCIDENCE WAVEFIELDS IN PLANE LAYERED MEDIA1

A new time-domain method is introduced for the calculation of theoretical seismograms which include frequency dependent effects like absorption. To incorporate these effects the reflection and transmission coefficients become convolutionary operators. The method is based on the communication theory approach and is applicable to non-normal incidence plane waves in flat layered elastic media. Wave propagation is simulated by tracking the wave amplitudes through a storage vector inside the computer memory representing a Goupillaud earth model discretized by equal vertical transit times. Arbitrary numbers of sources and receivers can be placed at arbitrary depth positions, while the computational effort is independent of that number. Therefore, the computation of a whole plane-wave vertical seismic profile is possible with no extra effort compared to the computation of the surface seismogram. The new method can be used as an aid to the interpretation of plane-wave decomposed reflection data where the whole synthetic vertical seismic profile readily gives the interpreter the correct depth position of reflection events.     

地震波在垂向不均匀介质中传播问题的某些探讨

本文计算了含有高速夹层介质中首波的理论地震图。通过分析得到,当高速夹层薄到一定程度时,就会产生干涉型首波,从而从一个侧面证明了射线理论的局限性。通过对地震波反射—折射系数能量守恒关系的分析,探讨了反射—折射系数大于1的可能性。最后,介绍了一种计算垂向不均匀介质中拉梅问题理论地震图的数值方法——有限差分法。     

DEBUBBLING: A GENERALIZED LINEAR INVERSE APPROACH*

On seismograms recorded at sea bubble pulse oscillations can present a serious problem to an interpreter. We propose a new approach, based on generalized linear inverse theory, to the solution of the debubbling problem. Under the usual assumption that a seismogram can be modelled as the convolution of the earth's impulse response and a source wavelet we show that estimation of either the wavelet or the impulse response can be formulated as a generalized linear inverse problem. This parametric approach involves solution of a system of equations by minimizing the error vector (ΔX = X^obs– X^cal) in a least squares sense. One of the most significant results is that the method enables us to control the accuracy of the solution so that it is consistent with the observational errors and/or known noise levels. The complete debubbling procedure can be described in four steps: (1) apply minimum entropy deconvolution to the observed data to obtain a deconvolved spike trace, a first approximation to the earth's response function; (2) use this trace and the observed data as input for the generalized linear inverse procedure to compute an estimated basic bubble pulse wavelet; (3) use the results of steps 1 and 2 to construct the compound source signature consisting of the primary pulse plus appropriate bubble oscillations; and (4) use the compound source signature and the observed data as input for the generalized linear inverse method to determine the estimated earth impulse response—a debubbled, deconvolved seismogram. We illustrate the applicability of the new approach with a set of synthetic seismic traces and with a set of field seismograms. A disadvantage of the procedure is that it is computationally expensive. Thus it may be more appropriate to apply the technique in cases where standard analysis techniques do not give acceptable results. In such cases the inherent advantages of the method may be exploited to provide better quality seismograms.     

LONG PERIOD SEA-FLOOR MULTIPLES AND THEIR SUPPRESSION*

Multiple sea-floor reflections in deep water often are not effectively suppressed by either CDP stacking nor standard predictive deconvolution methods. These methods fail because the reflection coefficient varies markedly with angle of incidence and also because of the variation of arrival time with offset and because of dip. For a reasonablly flat sea-floor, multiples of various orders and the primary sea-floor reflection which have all been reflected at nearly the same angle lie along a straight line through the origin in time-offset space. This line is called the “radial direction.” The multiples which lie along this line show a systematic relationship because they all experience the same water-bottom reflection effect. In other words, multiples behave in a stationary manner along the radial directions on multi-trace seismic records. A technique of multi-channel predictive deconvolution, called “Radial Multiple Suppression,” utilizes this aspect to design Wiener operators for the prediciton and suppression of water bottom multiples. The effectiveness of the technique is demonstrated by the study of field records, autocorrelations, velocity analyses, and stacked sections before and after Radial Multiple Suppression processing.     

NON-LINEAR ESTIMATION OF REFLECTION COEFFICIENTS FROM SEISMIC DATA*

For years, reflection coefficients have been the main aim of traditional deconvolution methods for their significant informational content. A method to estimate seismic reflection coefficients has been derived by searching for their amplitude and their time positions without any other limitating assumption. The input data have to satisfy certain quality constraints like amplitude and almost zero phase noise—ghosts, reverberations, long period multiples, and diffracted waves should be rejected by traditional processing. The proposed algorithm minimizes a functional of the difference between the spectra of trace and reflectivity in the frequency domain. The estimation of reflection coefficients together with the consistent “wavelet’ is reached iteratively with a multidimensional Newton-Raphson technique. The residual error trace shows the behavior of the process. Several advantages are then obtainable from these reflection coefficients, like conversion to interval velocities with an optimum calibration either to the well logs or to the velocity analysis curves. The procedure can be applied for detailed stratigraphic interpretations or to improve the resolution of a conventional velocity analysis.     

Seismic modelling for geological fractures

Based on knowledge of a commutative group calculation of the rock stiffness and on some geophysical assumptions, the simplest fractured medium may be regarded as a fracture embedded in an isotropic background medium, and the fracture interface can be simulated as a linear slip interface that satisfies non‐welded contact boundary conditions: the kinematic displacements are discontinuous across the interface, whereas the dynamic stresses are continuous across the interface. The finite‐difference method with boundary conditions explicitly imposed is advantageous for modelling wave propagation in fractured discontinuous media that are described by the elastic equation of motion and non‐welded contact boundary conditions. In this paper, finite‐difference schemes for horizontally, vertically, and orthogonally fractured media are derived when the fracture interfaces are aligned with the boundaries of the finite‐difference grid. The new finite‐difference schemes explicitly have an additional part that is different from the conventional second‐order finite‐difference scheme and that directly describes the contributions of the fracture to the wave equation of motion in the fractured medium. The numerical seismograms presented, to first order, show that the new finite‐difference scheme is accurate and stable and agrees well with the results of previously published finite‐difference schemes (the Coates and Schoenberg method). The results of the new finite‐difference schemes show how the amplitude of the reflection produced by the fracture varies with the fracture compliances. Later, comparisons with the reflection coefficients indicate that the reflection coefficients of the fracture are frequency dependent, whereas the reflection coefficients of the impedance contrast interface are frequency independent. In addition, the numerical seismograms show that the reflections of the fractured medium are equal to the reflections of the background medium plus the reflections of the fracture in the elastic fractured medium.     

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE SPECTRAL PROPERTIES OF PRIMARY REFLECTION COEFFICIENTS*

This paper investigates the form of the nonwhiteness found in the reflection coefficients from a wide variety of rock sequences around the world. In all but one case densities are taken as constant due to the paucity of suitable density data. The reflection sequences are pseudo-white only above a corner frequency, below which their power spectrum falls away according to a power law f^β, where β is between 0.5 and 1.5. This spectrum can be adequately modelled in practice very simply with an ARMA (1, 1) process which acts on a white innovation sequence. The corollary of this is that before wavelet estimation methods are applied (all of which-except those based on synthetic seismograms—presuppose white reflection sequences) or deconvolution filters estimated, seismic traces should be filtered with the inverse of this process. Interestingly, the estimated ARMA processes group themselves into two clearly differentiated categories, having very different indices of predictability (or, strictly, indices of linear determinism). The two categories apparently correlate precisely with two kinds of sedimentation: one which consists largely of sequences of rocks with repeating properties, called “repetitive” in this paper but perhaps loosely describable as “cyclic”, and the other which is randomly bedded with no apparent pattern of components. The former has indices of predictability which are two to four times as great as those of the latter. Another, probably related, property is that β for the repetitive sequences tends to be greater than that for non-repetitive rock columns. The observed power spectra are shown to be consistent with a simple model for the logarithm of acoustic impedance consisting of a mixture of processes where the distribution of (time) scale parameters is reciprocal. Detailed effects of block-averaging and sampling the logs are shown to depend on the type of sequence under examination.     

Focus-of-attention techniques in the automatic interpretation of seismograms

The focus-of-attention techniques implemented in SNA2, a knowledge-based system for seismogram interpretation, are presented. They consist of data compression of the input digital records, scanning of the compressed traces to detect candidate seismograms and extraction of seismogram features. A criterion is given to rate the clarity of seismograms; the clarity defines the order in which the system will consider them to build up the interpretation. The proposed techniques are simple and fast; they allow quick rejection of noise and focussing the attention of the system on the portions of traces containing relevant information.     

ZERO MEMORY NON-LINEAR DECONVOLUTION*

A type of iterative deconvolution that extracts the source waveform and reflectivity from a seismogram through the use of zero memory, non-linear estimators of reflection coefficient amplitnde is developed. Here, we present a theory for iterative deconvolution that is based upon the specification of a stochastic model describing reflectivity. The resulting parametric algorithm deconvolves the seismogram by forcing a filtered version of the seismogram to resemble an estimated reflection coefficient sequence. This latter time series is itself obtained from the filtered seismogram, and so a degree of iteration is required. Algorithms utilizing zero memory non-linearities (ZNLs) converge to a family of processes, which we call Bussgang, of which any colored Gaussian process and any independent process are members. The direction of convergence is controlled by the choice of ZNL used in the algorithm. Synthetic and real data show that, generally, five to ten iterations are required for acceptable deconvolutions.     

Estimation of source function and medium response function by autoregressive method

By modelling seismograms as “low” and “high” order autoregressive (AR) processes, the source function and the medium response function are separated from a single channel seismogram. Akaike's final prediction error is used as a statistic to select the appropriate “low” and “high” AR order of the process. Case studies of synthetic data show that the recovered source and reflectivity functions compare very well with the input functions. Using this method, arrivals of the surface reflected P phases of five explosions from the Soviet region and of two earthquakes from Kamchatka, recorded at Gauribidanur Seismic Array (GBA), India, are identified. Certain features of the source and source region of these events are also inferred.     

Ground-roll attenuation using a 2D time-derivative filter

We present a new filtering method for the attenuation of ground-roll. The method is based on the application of a bi-dimensional filter for obtaining the time-derivative of the seismograms. Before convolving the filter with the input data matrix, the normal moveout correction is applied to the seismograms with the purpose of flattening the reflections. The method can locally attenuate the amplitude of data of low frequency (in the ground-roll and stretch normal moveout region) and enhance flat events (reflections). The filtered seismograms can reveal horizontal or sub-horizontal reflections while vertical or sub-vertical events, associated with ground-roll, are attenuated. A regular set of samples around each neighbourhood data sample of the seismogram is used to estimate the time-derivative. A numerical approximation of the derivative is computed by taking the difference between the interpolated values calculated in both the positive and the negative neighbourhood of the desired position. The coefficients of the 2D time-derivative filter are obtained by taking the difference between two filters that interpolate at positive and negative times. Numerical results that use real seismic data show that the proposed method is effective and can reveal reflections masked by the ground-roll. Another benefit of the method is that the stretch mute, normally applied after the normal moveout correction, is unnecessary. The new filtering approach provides results of outstanding quality when compared to results obtained from the conventional FK filtering method.     

USE OF THE SEISMIC DYNAMIC DECONVOLUTION ALGORITHM IN DIRECT RESISTIVITY INTERPRETATION*

Seismic dynamic deconvolution is the mathematical basis on which a degree of unification in different prospecting methods is possible, relative to the parameter identification in horizontally stratified media. There is a basic structure which has some immediate applications to the inversion of resistivity data and possibly to other problems. For resistivity soundings there exists a key equation which is parallel to the energy conservation law in the theory of synthetic seismograms.     

WAVELET DECONVOLUTION USING A SOURCE SCALING LAW*

We present a new method for the extraction and removal of the source wavelet from the reflection seismogram. In contrast to all other methods currently in use, this one does not demand that there be any mathematically convenient relationship between the phase spectrum of the source wavelet and the phase spectrum of the earth impulse response. Instead, it requires a fundamental change in the field technique such that two different seismograms are now generated from each source-receiver pair: the source and receiver locations stay the same, but the source used to generate one seismogram is a scaled version of the source used to generate the other. A scaling law provides the relationship between the two source signatures and permits the earth impulse response to be extracted from the seismograms without any of the usual assumptions about phase. We derive the scaling law for point sources in an homogeneous isotropic medium. Next, we describe a method for the solution of the set of three simultaneous equations and test it rigorously using a variety of synthetic data and two types of synthetic source waveform: damped sine waves and non-minimum-phase air gun waveforms. Finally we demonstrate that this method is stable in the presence of noise.