Least-squares Kirchhoff migration using traveltimes based on the maximum amplitude criterion by the rapid expansion method

Abstract

In this paper, we developed a migration method based on the least squares method (LSM), which uses the Kirchhoff operator. The Kirchhoff operator is currently the most widely used migration operator and it is generally based on ray tracing algorithms which often does not work well in complex media. To improve the Kirchhoff operator performance for modeling and migration and use it in an effective way with our LSM procedure, the traveltimes are computed using a maximum amplitude criterion by the rapid expansion method (REM). Using Kirchhoff operators with this alternative way to compute traveltimes we implemented an optimization procedure seeking a correct reconstruction of the reflectors in order to obtain subsurface images with better seismic resolution. The proposed least-square Kirchhoff migration with REM (LSKM-REM) was tested on the Marmousi dataset and the results obtained with the proposed optimized procedure showed higher quality images when compared with the conventional Kirchhoff migration results.