LIMITS OF STRUCTURAL INVERSION OF SEISMIC HORIZONS*

Abstract

AbstractTime horizons can be depth‐migrated when interval velocities are known; on the other hand, the velocity distribution can be found when traveltimes and NMO velocities at zero offset are known (wavefront curvatures; Shah 1973).Using these concepts, exact recursive inversion formulae for the calculation of interval velocities are given. The assumption of rectilinear raypath propagation within each layer is made; interval velocities and curvatures of the interfaces between layers can be found if traveltimes together with their gradients and curvatures and very precise VNMO velocities at zero offset are known.However, the available stacking velocity is a numerical quantity which has no direct physical significance; its deviation from zero offset NMO velocity is examined in terms of horizon curvatures, cable length and lateral velocity inhomogeneities.A method has been derived to estimate the geological depth model by searching, iteratively, for the best solution that minimizes the difference between stacking velocities from the real data and from the structural model.Results show the limits and capabilities of the approach; perhaps, owing to the low resolution of conventional velocity analyses, a simplified version of the given formulae would be more robust.