ELASTIC PARAMETER ESTIMATION BY COHERENCY OPTIMIZATION1

We present a method for estimating P- and S-velocities within defined layers (macromodel), using only kinematic properties (i.e. traveltimes) of the wavefield. The method does not require identification of mixed-mode events on prestack or post-stack data. After obtaining a V_p-depth model by coherency inversion, S-velocities are determined by coherency optimization along computed traveltime curves for mixed-mode events on prestack data. Since the method does not involve any dynamic wavefield computations, a simple ray-tracing algorithm is used to solve the forward problem. The simplicity of the scheme, together with the ability to apply it locally, makes it highly suitable for interactive use. Results of this method may be used to detect Poisson's ratio anomalies within or between layers and may serve as an initial model for more complicated elastic inversion algorithms.     

MODEL-BASED STACK: A METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING AN ACCURATE ZERO-OFFSET SECTION FOR COMPLEX OVERBURDENS1

The interpretation of stacked time sections can produce a correct geological image of the earth in cases when the stack represents a true zero-offset section. This assumption is not valid in the presence of conflicting dips or strong lateral velocity variations. We present a method for constructing a relatively accurate zero-offset section. We refer to this method as model-based stack (MBS), and it is based on the idea of stacking traces within CMP gathers along actual traveltime curves, and not along hyperbolic trajectories as it is done in a conventional stacking process. These theoretical curves are calculated for each CMP gather by tracing rays through a velocity-depth model. The last can be obtained using one of the methods for macromodel estimation. In this study we use the coherence inversion method for the estimation of the macromodel since it has the advantage of not requiring prestack traveltime picking. The MBS represents an accurate zero-offset section in cases where the estimated macromodel is correct. Using the velocity–depth macromodel, the structural inversion can be completed by post-stack depth migration of the MBS.     

METHOD FOR DETERMINATION OF VELOCITY AND DEPTH FROM SEISMIC REFLECTION DATA1

The estimation of velocity and depth is an important stage in seismic data processing and interpretation. We present a method for velocity-depth model estimation from unstacked data. This method is formulated as an iterative algorithm producing a model which maximizes some measure of coherency computed along traveltimes generated by tracing rays through the model. In the model the interfaces are represented as cubic splines and it is assumed that the velocity in each layer is constant. The inversion includes the determination of the velocities in all the layers and the location of the spline knots. The process input consists of unstacked seismic data and an initial velocity-depth model. This model is often based on nearby well information and an interpretation of the stacked section. Inversion is performed iteratively layer after layer; during each iteration synthetic travel-time curves are calculated for the interface under consideration. A functional characterizing the main correlation properties of the wavefield is then formed along the synthetic arrival times. It is assumed that the functional reaches a maximum value when the synthetic arrival time curves match the arrival times of the events on the field gathers. The maximum value of the functional is obtained by an effective algorithm of non-linear programming. The present inversion algorithm has the advantages that event picking on the unstacked data is not required and is not based on curve fitting of hyperbolic approximations of the arrival times. The method has been successfully applied to both synthetic and field data.