VISCOELASTIC SEISMIC RESPONSES OF 2D RESERVOIR MODELS1

The use of relaxation mechanisms has recently made it possible to simulate viscoelastic (Q) effects accurately in time-domain numerical computations of seismic responses. As a result, seismograms may now be synthesized for models with arbitrary spatial variations in compressional- and shear-wave quality factors (Q₉, and Q_s, as well as in density (ρ) and compressional- and shear-wave velocities (V_p, and V_s). Reflections produced by Q contrasts alone may have amplitudes as large as those produced by velocity contrasts. Q effects, including their interaction with V_p, V_s and p, contribute significantly to the seismic response of reservoirs. For band-limited data at typical seismic frequencies, the effects of Q on reflectivity and attenuation are more visible than those on dispersion. Synthetic examples include practical applications to reservoir exploration, evaluation and monitoring. Q effects are clearly visible in both surface and offset vertical seismic profile data. Thus, AVO analyses that neglect Q may produce erroneous conclusions.