Common Image Point Research Articles

A new data-domain reflection full-waveform inversion method based on common-image-point gathers

The migration velocity analysis (MVA) based on the common-image gathers (CIGs) in the image domain is an effective approach for evaluating the seismic background velocity, a crucial index for the full-waveform inversion (FWI) and migration. Compared with cumbersome conventional MVA methods, differential semblance optimization (DSO) is a variation of image-domain wavefield tomography that avoids interactive manual picking but increases the computation cost tremendously. In recent years, the reflection waveform inversions have been studied in depth to construct the background velocity, matching reflection travel time or waveform in the data domain, which requires expensive Born simulations based on accurate imaging results. This study performs a new reflection full-waveform inversion method in the image domain based on the flatness of arbitrarily selected common-image-point (CIP) gathers and their Born simulations. According to the relationship between imaging and background model, the flatness of CIP gathers under the L1 norm is measured. Afterwards, we construct the objective function to update the background model without manual picking or wave-equation migration in an extended dimension. The inversion accuracy is controlled by balancing the density of the imaging points and the computation capability. The whole procedure is implemented in the frequency domain, so the main computation comes from the LU decomposition in the frequency-domain wave-equation simulation, in which way, the proposed data-domain reflection full-waveform inversion achieves complete automation with lower costs. The objective function analysis shows a better convex, proving the weak dependence on the starting model of this method. Besides, synthetic experiments verify the validity and the field data test demonstrates its effectiveness.

Reflection tomography by depth warping: a case study across the Java trench

Abstract. Accurate subsurface velocity models are crucial for geological interpretations based on seismic depth images. Seismic reflection tomography is an effective iterative method to update and refine a preliminary velocity model for depth imaging. Based on residual move-out analysis of reflectors in common image point gathers, an update of the velocity is estimated by a ray-based tomography. To stabilize the tomography, several preconditioning strategies exist. Most critical is the estimation of the depth error to account for the residual move-out of the reflector in the common image point gathers. Because the depth errors for many closely spaced image gathers must be picked, manual picking is extremely time-consuming, human biased, and not reproducible. Data-driven picking algorithms based on coherence or semblance analysis are widely used for hyperbolic or linear events. However, for complex-shaped depth events, purely data-driven picking is difficult. To overcome this, the warping method named non-rigid matching is used to estimate a depth error displacement field. Warping is used, for example, to merge photographic images or to match two seismic images from time-lapse data. By matching a common image point gather against its duplicate that has been shifted by one offset position, a locally smooth-shaped displacement field is calculated for each data sample by gather matching. Depending on the complexity of the subsurface, sample tracking through the displacement field along predefined horizons or on a simple regular grid yields discrete depth error values for the tomography. The application to a multi-channel seismic line across the Sunda subduction zone offshore Lombok island, Indonesia, illustrates the approach and documents the advantages of the method to estimate a detailed velocity structure in a complex tectonic regime. By incorporating the warping scheme into the reflection tomography, we demonstrate an increase in the velocity resolution and precision by improving the data-driven accuracy of depth error picks with arbitrary shapes. This approach offers the possibility to use the full capacities of tomography and further leads to more accurate interpretations of complex geological structures.

ОБОСНОВАНИЕ ПАРАМЕТРОВ СИСТЕМЫ ПОЛЕВЫХ НАБЛЮДЕНИЙ МОГТ 3D

The substantiation of parameters of the 3D observation system is considered from the perspective of the Kirchhoff migration. At the first step of this transformation, on the basis of diffraction transformation on a gather of CSP, the problem of wavelet extraction reflected from specified points of the medium (image points) is solved. The characteristic of the directivity of this transformation is determined by parameters of the arrangement of devices. At the second step, summation is performed by gathers of the common image point (СIP). The distribution density of the observation system sources determines the stacking fold by CIP. In the process of selecting survey parameters, the comparative analysis of equivalent observation systems with the same data properties for the migration task, but with different parameters of the observation system, is of great important. The relationship between the step of common midpoints of the observation system and the step of traces of resulting images of the medium is discussed. The Gaussian beam migration algorithm is considered as a method for solving the problem of constructing an image of the medium that correctly takes into account the irregularity of the initial data.

RAY-BINNING ANGLE STACK DOMAIN IN ENHANCING THE ROBUSTNESS OF CONVERTED-WAVE SEISMIC JOINT INVERSION

Converted-Wave Seismic has been proven as imaging alternative in aiding conventional seismic data when passing through gas cloud accumulation. However, asymmetrical approximation effect during Converted-Wave Seismic binning still remains in offset domain. PS-Reflection events in offset-domain are mapped using common-ray re-sorting technique by implementing the basic Snells Law of Mode Conversion. This produces an Angle Profile correspondent with the PP incident angle. Re-sorting the angle of converted-wave ray path to the PP-Wave propagation within the common imaging point, the Converted-Wave seismic would share similar angle range. Thus, improving the match in PP to PS event as data input preparation for Joint Inversion. Grouping the angle based on AVA Analysis, followed by stacking the Angle Profile into Common-Ray Partial Angle Stack, had proven to eliminate the fault shadow sagging zone and gas absorption illumination area in Converted-Wave Seismic. The final result of PP-Seismic imaging is more coherent with the Converted-Wave Seismic, in term of event alignment and amplitude character. This result lead to more robust PP-PS Joint Inversion, as the coherency between input data is an important key in simultaneous process. The comparison on derived Vp/Vs shows better improvements of subsurface imaging, especially in the near-surface gas masking area of conventional seismic.

Tailored acquisition and processing providing an enhanced subsurface image of the basin architecture, Exmouth Sub-basin, North West Shelf, Australia

Hydrocarbon exploration has resulted in the discovery of a variety of oil and gas accumulations mainly in Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous intervals. However, the distribution of the different petroleum system elements including Jurassic and Triassic intervals is poorly determined, but required for improved understanding of the complex charge history, as indicated by the variety of hydrocarbon types encountered in the basin. The new WesternGeco multiclient 3D seismic survey extends to the edges of the basin to give a comprehensive picture. Raw hydrophone data were delivered from the vessel as acquisition progressed to begin the near-surface model building. The model building consisted of two major stages: first, using full waveform inversion (FWI) to derive the near-surface velocity field; and, second, common image point (CIP) tomography to update the deeper section beyond the FWI illumination zone. As illustrated herein, various stages of processing and imaging provided a cleaner and crisper dataset across the record length, allowing (1) detailed picking of the events within the entire Mesozoic (Cretaceous–Triassic) section allowing key events to be interpreted and correlated across the area and (2) accurate investigation of the complexity of different aged fault networks and their relationships across the full Exmouth Sub-basin for the first time. In summary, this survey provides a detailed insight into the deeper basin architecture of the Exmouth Sub-basin. The seamless volume imaged to depth allows accurate mapping which is critical to unravel the complex evolutionary history in a basin with proven and significant remaining hydrocarbon potential.

Full waveform inversion: early start of model building process to resolve the complex near surface model in the Exmouth sub-basin, North West Shelf Australia

The Schlumberger Multiclient Exmouth 3D survey was acquired over the Exmouth sub-basin, North West Shelf Australia and covers 12 600 km2. One of the primary objectives of this survey was to produce a wide coverage of high quality imaging with advanced processing technology within an agreed turnaround time. The complexity of the overburden was one of the imaging challenges that impacted the structuration and image quality at the reservoir level. Unlike traditional full-waveform inversion (FWI) workflow, here, FWI was introduced early in the workflow in parallel with acquisition and preprocessing to produce a reliable near surface velocity model from a smooth starting model. FWI derived an accurate and detailed near surface model, which subsequently benefitted the common image point (CIP) tomography model updates through to the deeper intervals. The objective was to complete the FWI model update for the overburden concurrently with the demultiple stages hence reflection time CIP tomography could start with a reasonably good velocity model upon completion of the demultiple process.

Метод построения дифракционных изображений трещинно-кавернозных зон на основе многомерной спектральной фильтрации и новые возможности изучения свойств геологических сред на основе анализа многомерных сейсмических данных общей точки изображения

Метод построения дифракционных изображений трещинно-кавернозных зон на основе многомерной спектральной фильтрации и новые возможности изучения свойств геологических сред на основе анализа многомерных сейсмических данных общей точки изображения

3D angle decomposition for elastic reverse time migration

We have developed three approaches for 3D angle decomposition using elastic reverse time migration. The first approach uses time- and space-lag common-image point gathers computed from elastic wavefields. This method facilitates computing angle gathers at sparse and possibly irregularly distributed points in the image. The second approach transforms extended time-lag images to the angle domain using slant stacks along 4D surfaces, instead of using slant stacks along 2D straight lines. The third approach transforms space-lag common-image gathers to the angle domain. The three proposed methods solve a system of equations that handles dipping reflectors, and they yield angle gathers that are more accurate compared with those obtained via alternative existing methods. We have developed our methods using 2D and 3D synthetic and field data examples and found that they provide accurate opening and azimuth angles and they can handle steeply dipping reflectors and converted wave modes.

Elastic least-squares one-way wave-equation migration

Least-squares migration seeks a reflectivity model that fits the observed data. It is used to compensate for acquisition noise, poor sampling of sources and receivers on the surface, as well as poor illumination of the subsurface. To date, least-squares migration has been mainly restricted to the imaging of acoustic wavefields. We have developed an extension of one-way wave-equation least-squares migration for elastic wavefields in isotropic media. Least-squares migration is an iterative method that requires a forward and an adjoint operator. In elastic least-squares one-way wave-equation migration, the forward operator generates data components from multiparameter images by recursive wavefield decomposition, extrapolation, and recomposition. Conversely, the adjoint operator generates multiparameter images from data components by recursively applying the adjoint of the wavefield recomposition, extrapolation, and wavefield decomposition operators. We use an extended imaging condition and regularize the inversion by applying a smoothing filter on the depth-angle axes of each common image point gather to reduce the effect of source/receiver sampling, noise, and crosstalk artifacts. Elastic least-squares migration is able to compensate for irregular subsurface illumination in elastic imaging and provides an alternative approach to interpolation and wavefield separation of multicomponent seismic data.

Automatic early arrival traveltime tomography and its applications

We have developed a method of macrovelocity inversion that does not require explicit picking of either common-image point gathers or first breaks. The method uses head waves, diving waves, and wide-angle reflections in seismic data (collectively early arrival energies) for accurate estimation of velocity and anisotropy parameters. In this method, seismic data are first decomposed into Gaussian packets. Packets associated with early arrival energies are selected and used as input to a tomography solver. The outputs of the solver are velocity and Thomsen’s anisotropy parameters, or any of their combinations. Using information contained in the packets, we can correctly model the early arrival energies (first breaks and/or other refractions). The workflow is fully automatic and can be used in a batch processing environment with minimum human intervention. We have tested the method on synthetic and field data sets. In one synthetic test, we were able to reduce traveltime residuals of diving waves from 400 to 5 ms and recover anisotropic model parameters that are sensitive to early arrival traveltimes. In another synthetic test, we were able to recover a large shallow low-velocity anomaly with a very simple starting velocity model. The first field data set was for a shallow marine seismic data project. We were able to obtain a better shallow velocity model using our method than when using a legacy approach. In the second field data test, we applied our method on a deepwater data set from a dual-coil acquisition, with full-azimuth and long-offset coverage. Our method can correctly model early arrival energies recorded at long offsets and use them in the iterative inversion such that better estimation of velocities and anisotropy parameters in shallow sediments can be achieved. We have tested different starting models for the inversion. We are able to get very similar results, suggesting that our method is not sensitive to the accuracy of a starting model.

Prestack migration velocity analysis based on simplified two-parameter moveout equation

Stacking velocity VC2, vertical velocity ratio γ0, effective velocity ratio γeff, and anisotropic parameter χeff are correlated in the PS-converted-wave (PS-wave) anisotropic prestack Kirchhoff time migration (PKTM) velocity model and are thus difficult to independently determine. We extended the simplified two-parameter (stacking velocity VC2 and anisotropic parameter keff) moveout equation from stacking velocity analysis to PKTM velocity model updating and formed a new four-parameter (stacking velocity VC2, vertical velocity ratio γ0, effective velocity ratio γeff, and anisotropic parameter keff) PS-wave anisotropic PKTM velocity model updating and process flow based on the simplified two-parameter moveout equation. In the proposed method, first, the PS-wave two-parameter stacking velocity is analyzed to obtain the anisotropic PKTM initial velocity and anisotropic parameters; then, the velocity and anisotropic parameters are corrected by analyzing the residual moveout on common imaging point gathers after prestack time migration. The vertical velocity ratio γ0 of the prestack time migration velocity model is obtained with an appropriate method utilizing the P- and PS-wave stacked sections after level calibration. The initial effective velocity ratio γeff is calculated using the Thomsen (1999) equation in combination with the P-wave velocity analysis; ultimately, the final velocity model of the effective velocity ratio γeff is obtained by percentage scanning migration. This method simplifies the PS-wave parameter estimation in high-quality imaging, reduces the uncertainty of multiparameter estimations, and obtains good imaging results in practice.

Low-frequency data analysis and expansion

The use of low-frequency seismic data improves the seismic resolution, and the imaging and inversion quality. Furthermore, low-frequency data are applied in hydrocarbon exploration; thus, we need to better use low-frequency data. In seismic wavelets, the loss of low-frequency data decreases the main lobe amplitude and increases the first side lobe amplitude and results in the periodic shocking attenuation of the secondary side lobe. The loss of low frequencies likely produces pseudo-events and the false appearance of higher resolution. We use models to examine the removal of low-frequency data in seismic data processing. The results suggest that the removal of low frequencies create distortions, especially for steep structures and thin layers. We also perform low-frequency expansion using compressed sensing and sparse constraints and develop the corresponding module. Finally, we apply the proposed method to real common image point gathers with good results.

Pore-pressure-constrained, rock-physics-guided velocity model building method: Alternate solution to mitigate subsalt geohazard

We developed an integrated method that can better constrain subsalt tomography using geology, thermal history modeling, and rock-physics principles. This method, called rock-physics-guided velocity modeling for migration uses predicted pore pressure as a guide to improve the quality of the earth model. We first generated a rock-physics model that provided a range of plausible pore pressure that lies between hydrostatic (lowest possible pressure) and fracture pressure (highest possible pressure). The range of plausible pore pressures was then converted into a range of plausible depth varying velocities as a function of pore pressure that is consistent with geology and rock physics. Such a range of plausible velocities is called the rock-physics template. Such a template (constrained by geology) was then used to flatten the seismic gathers. We call this the pore-pressure scan technique. The outcome of the pore-pressure scan process was an “upper” and “lower” bound of pore pressure for a given earth model. Such velocity bounds were then used as constraints on the subsequent tomography, and further iterations were carried out. The integrated method not only flattened the common image point gathers but also limited the velocity field to its physically and geologically plausible range without well control; for example, in the study area it produced a better image and pore-pressure prognosis below salt. We determined that geologic control is essential, and we used it for stratigraphy, structure, and unconformity, etc. The method had several subsalt applications in the Gulf of Mexico and proved that subsalt pore pressure can be reliably predicted.

Combining diving-wave tomography and prestack reflection tomography for complex depth imaging — A case study from mountainous western China

Reflection tomography is widely used to build velocity models for seismic depth imaging, but several factors can limit its effectiveness, particularly in resolving complexities in the near surface. A 3D data set acquired in a mountainous area of western China exhibited several such factors, including low fold of coverage in the shallow data that made it difficult to verify and adjust velocities based on measuring the flatness of common-imaging-point (CIP) gathers. The data set also presented challenges related to poor signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and dramatic lateral velocity variation in the shallow section. The diving-wave tomography method, combined with precise first-arrival picking, provided an enhanced solution for deriving the shallow velocity field in the initial depth-migration velocity model. This was part of the innovative and enhanced velocity model-building workflow that was applied to accurately image the complex subsurface geology of this challenging data set. The workflow comprised four key steps: data conditioning, diving-wave tomography, reflection tomography, and prestack Kirchhoff depth migration. This project was the first application of diving-wave tomography combined with reflection tomography to land seismic data in China. Its demonstrated success provides a robust and effective velocity model-building solution for application in other complex depth-imaging land seismic projects in China and elsewhere.

Reverse-time demigration using the extended-imaging condition

The forward and inverse process of seismic migration and demigration or remodeling has many useful applications in seismic data processing. We evaluated a method to reobtain the seismic reflection data after migration, by inverting the common image point gathers produced by reverse-time migration (RTM) with an extended-imaging condition. This provided a transformation of the results of seismic data processing in the image domain back to the data domain. To be able to reconstruct the data with high fidelity, we set up demigration as a least-squares inverse problem and we solved it iteratively using a steepest-descent method. Because we used an extended-imaging condition, the method is not dependent on an accurate estimate of the migration-velocity field, and it is able to accurately reconstruct both primaries and multiples. At the same time, because the method is based on RTM, it can accurately handle seismic reflection data acquired over complex geologic media. Numerical results showed the feasibility of the method and highlighted some of its applications on 2D synthetic and field data sets.

Anisotropic migration velocity analysis using reverse-time migration

Seismic anisotropy, if not accounted for, can cause significant mispositioning of the reflectors in depth-migrated images. Accounting for anisotropy in depth migration requires velocity analysis tools that can estimate the anisotropic background velocity field. We extended wave equation migration velocity analysis to deal with 2D tilted transverse isotropic media. The velocities were obtained automatically by nonlinear optimization of the focusing and stack power of common-image point gathers constructed using an extended imaging condition. We used the elastic two-way wave equation to reconstruct the wavefields needed for the image and gradient computations. This led to an anisotropic migration velocity analysis algorithm based on reverse-time migration. We illustrated the method with synthetic and field data examples based on marine surface seismic acquisition. The results showed that the method significantly improves the quality of the depth-migrated image. However, as is common in the case of velocity analysis using surface seismic data, the estimation of anisotropic parameters seems to be strongly nonunique.

Automatic velocity analysis with reverse-time migration

We apply a method to automatically estimate the background velocities using reverse-time migration. The method uses a combination of differential semblance and similarity-index (a.k.a., “semblance” or “stacking-power”) to measure the focusing error in imaging and a nonlinear optimization procedure to obtain the background velocities. A challenge in this procedure is that, for media consisting of complex and strongly refracting velocities, artifacts in the reverse-time migrated image (low-frequency noise) can cause the velocity analysis to diverge. We successfully overcome this issue by applying a simple vertical derivative filter to the image that is input to velocity analysis. The resultant velocity analysis method is tested in two 2D synthetic examples and one 2D field data example. Due to the assumptions inherent to prestack depth migration, the data that are input to velocity analysis must be singly scattered. To apply the method to multiple-rich data, we propose an image-based demultiple method. The method consists of muting events in the subsurface offset common image point gathers constructed with reverse-time migration, and remodeling the data using a kinematic demigration. A field data example shows how the image-based demultiple of the data helps to improve the velocity analysis in the presence of multiple scattering.

Wide-azimuth angle gathers for wave-equation migration

Extended common-image-point (CIP) gathers contain all of the necessary information for decomposition of reflectivity as a function of the reflection and azimuth angles at selected locations in the subsurface. This decomposition operates after the imaging condition applied to wavefields reconstructed by any type of wide-azimuth migration method, e.g., using downward continuation or time reversal. The reflection and azimuth angles are derived from the extended images using analytic relations between the space-lag and time-lag extensions. The transformation amounts to a linear Radon transform applied to the CIPs obtained after applying the extended imaging condition. If information about the reflector dip is available at the CIP locations, then only two components of the space-lag vectors are required, thus reducing computational cost and increasing the affordability of the method. Applications of this method include the study of subsurface illumination in areas of complex geology where ray-based methods are not usable and the study of amplitude variation with reflection and azimuth angles if the subsurface illumination is sufficiently dense. Migration velocity analysis could also be implemented in the angle domain, although an equivalent implementation in the extended domain is less costly and more effective.

Extended imaging conditions for wave-equation migration

Wavefield-based migration velocity analysis using the semblance principle requires computation of images in an extended space in which we can evaluate the imaging consistency as a function of overlapping experiments. Usual industry practice is to assemble those seismic images in common-image gathers that represent reflectivity as a function of depth and extensions, e.g., reflection angles. We introduce extended common-image point (CIP) gathers constructed only as a function of the spaceand time-lag extensions at sparse and irregularly distributed points in the image. Semblance analysis using CIP’s constructed by this procedure is advantageous because we do not need to compute gathers at regular surface locations and we do not need to compute extensions at all depth levels. The CIP’s also give us the flexibility to distribute them in the image at irregular locations aligned with the geologic structure. Furthermore, the CIP’s remove the depth bias of common-image gathers constructed as a function of the depth axis. An interpretation of the CIP’s using the scattering theory shows that they are scattered wavefields associated with sources and receivers inside the subsurface. Thus, when the surface wavefields are correctly reconstructed, the extended CIP’s are characterized by focused energy at the origin of the spaceand time-lag axes. Otherwise, the energy defocuses from the origin of the lag axes proportionally with the cumulative velocity error in the overburden. This information can be used for wavefield-based tomographic updates of the velocity model, and if the velocity used for imaging is correct, the coordinate-independent CIP’s can be a decomposed as a function of the angles of incidence.

A case study for azimuthally anisotropic prestack depth imaging of an onshore Alaska prospect

In a study of the Sterling-Triangle area of Alaska, U.S.A., we initiated prestack depth migration (PSDM) to improve imaging on a prospect initially identified on a prestack time-migrated (PSTM) volume. Under the isotropic media assumption, the first few iterations of the reflection tomography had difficulty in converging to the proper velocity model. Upon further investigation, a very-high-velocity conglomerate layer was identified in the middle of the section across the whole survey area. We adopted the salt-flood practice, routine in depth-imaging salt provinces such as the Gulf of Mexico. The strategy was to focus on the shallow section above the conglomerate first, followed by a constant-velocity flood for picking the conglomerate base. The finalisotropic PSDM result showed that significant residual moveout differences existed on gathers along different azimuths. The net anisotropic effect on the isotropic PSDM was a degraded final PSDM volume. In the subsequent anisotropic PSDM work, azimuthally variant horizontal velocities were allowed in the model building. Common-image-point (CIP) gathers were created along different azimuths using sectored input gathers. Residuals picked on the sectored CIP gathers were used in joint tomography to invert different horizontal velocities. Incorporating significant well information, we built an anisotropic velocity model such that the azimuthal moveout on the butterfly gathers was essentially flat. The resulting anisotropic PSDM was consistent with well data and could be interpreted with much higher confidence.