Wave-equation angle-domain common-image gathers for converted waves

Abstract

Wavefield-extrapolation methods can produce angle-domain common-image gathers (ADCIGs). To obtain ADCIGs for converted-wave seismic data, information about the image dip and the P-to-S velocity ratio must be included in the computation of angle gathers. These ADCIGs are a function of the half-aperture angle, i.e., the average between the incidence angle and the reflection angle. We have developed a method that exploits the robustness of computing 2D isotropic single-mode ADCIGs and incorporates both the converted-wave velocity ratio [Formula: see text] and the local image dip field. It also maps the final converted-wave ADCIGs into two ADCIGs, one a function of the P-incidence angle and the other a function of the S-reflection angle. Results with both synthetic and real data show the practical application for converted-wave ADCIGs. The proposed approach is valid in any situation as long as the migration algorithm is based on wavefield downward continuation and the final prestack image is a function of the horizontal subsurface offset.