COMMON REFLECTION POINT DATA‐STACKING TECHNIQUE FOR CONVERTED WAVES1

Abstract

ABSTRACTFor converted waves stacking requires a true common reflection point gather which, in this case, is also a common conversion point (CCP) gather. We consider converted waves of the PS‐ and SP‐type in a stack of horizontal layers.The coordinates of the conversion points for waves of PS‐ or SP‐type, respectively, in a single homogeneous layer are calculated as a function of the offset, the reflector depth and the velocity ratio vp/vs. Knowledge of the conversion points enables us to gather the seismic traces in a common conversion point (CCP) record. Numerical tests show that the CCP coordinates in a multilayered medium can be approximated by the equations given for a single layer. In practical applications, an a priori estimate of vp/vs is required to obtain the CCP for a given reflector depth.A series expansion for the traveltime of converted waves as a function of the offset is presented. Numerical examples have been calculated for several truncations. For small offsets, a hyperbolic approximation can be used. For this, the rms velocity of converted waves is defined. A Dix‐type formula, relating the product of the interval velocities of compressional and shear waves to the rms velocity of the converted waves, is presented.