High-fold enhancement of a seismic image and detection of the low-frequency shadow below the bottom-simulating reflector

Abstract

Gas hydrates are a potential energy source. Seismic methods have been extensively applied to detecting gas hydrates based on the interpretation of bottom-simulating reflectors (BSRs), for which the seismic response is characterized by many features such as a strong reflection and low-frequency shadow (LFS). Moreover, the frequency content depends of the offset, with the BSR response having a lower dominant frequency at large offsets. In this work, we intend to enhance the low amplitude of the BSR and to observe the LFS phenomena at the southern Hikurangi margin of New Zealand. To improve the resolution of the seismic image, we processed a multichannel seismic profile acquired over a distance of 125 km. The standard processing sequence for seismic reflection data has been performed with an emphasis on using high fold. The results reveal that the BSR is characterized by strong reflections and high amplitude owing to the seismic data being stacked at higher fold. In addition, a continuation of the BSR event was obtained. Moreover, the use of a higher fold allowed us to determine an LFS below the BSR event, which indicates the presence of gas. The findings support other evidence obtained through contemporary studies on identifying gas hydrates using seismic methods.