On the “wraparound” multiple problem of recording seismic reflections in deep water

Abstract

During continuous seismic recording in deep water, primery reflections may be accompanied by seabed and sediment interbed multiples produced by the previous shot (Tucker and Yorston, 1973). Such “wraparound” multiples (WAMs), because of their repetition in the water column, show little normal moveout (Levin, 1971; Hardy et al., 1989) and produce patterns on the stacked common-midpoint (CMP) section that are not readily recognizable as a multiple reflection series. Once recorded, WAMs are thus extremely difficult to remove and may be mistaken for primary reflectivity (e.g., Taner, 1980; Berryhill and Kim, 1986). The purpose of this study is to provide some insight into the conditions that contribute to contamination of the CMP section by WAMs.