5. Multicomponent Seismic Processing

Abstract

Introduction Computer processing of multicomponent seismic data is substantially more complex than conventional P-wave seismic data processing. The increase in processing complexity is greater than the nine-fold increase in data volume would suggest. This arises because of the need to process the different components in a mutually compatible fashion since much of the interpretative value of multicomponent data derives from the comparison of reflection arrival times and amplitudes on different components. For example, a lateral change in reflection strength of an event on a P-P wave component that correlates with a SH-SH wave event whose reflection amplitude is not changing could signal a change in pore fluid type within a reservoir IF one is certain that the amplitude variations are indicative of changes in geology, and not the result of processing the seismic data using erroneous analysis parameters or procedures. Thus, the goal of multicomponent data processing can be stated as follows: The similarities and differences in reflection amplitudes, phases, and arrival times in the processed P- and S-wave sections should be indicative of the similarities and differences in the propagation of P- and S-waves in the earth, and not simply artifacts of data processing.