Prestack processing of land data with complex topography

Abstract

A new wave‐equation–based prestack seismic processing system is proposed. This system has only two essential elements; velocity analysis and depth migration. This approach applies truly surface‐consistent statics corrections, regardless of the amount of elevation, change or of near‐surface velocity variation. It uses tomography for estimating the details of shallow velocities and a finite‐difference solution of the two‐way wave‐equation both for computation of image times and for data extrapolation in migration. A field data set that violates most of the assumptions in conventional common midpoint (CMP) processing, because of severe elevation changes and near‐surface velocity variations, is successfully processed. The final depth section reveals a complicated fold‐thrust geometry that was not visible after CMP processing.