Research Proposal: Velocity modeling by Full Waveform Inversion of a land seismic data

Objectives

To produce an accurate subsurface velocity model for field data in given region by employing Full Waveform Inversion (FWI). Conventional velocity estimation based on reflection traveltimes has shown difficulties in obtaining a satisfying velocity model. Full Waveform Inversion utilizes both refraction and reflection waveforms from long-offset data, and is a strong candidate to provide a high-resolution velocity model. The research purpose is to obtain technical/practical knowledge in terms of applying FWI for the onshore long-offset data. Especially for Crooked line, rough topography area. The velocity information retrieved by Full Waveform Inversion is expected to substantially improve seismic reflectivity images. A comparative study will be done for some conventional and non conventional velocity estimation Methods. Full Waveform Inversion can be done with an existing algorithm/code (if available) or development of a Full Waveform Inversion Code may be included as a part of the research.

Requirements A long offset land seismic data. Efficient computers and seismic data processing software. Tomography software for refraction seismic data. (If not available, making a code for this purpose may also be included in research)

Working Protocol
All data will be checked conducting all necessary trace editing and data correction. We will select an optimal 2D coordinate which best fits source and receiver distributions. This will make a better stage for travel-time tomography. We will perform a travel time tomography to produce a 2D model for Full Wave Inversion. Extraction of travel-time data by picking first arrivals recorded at receivers will be done. The errors of first arrivals estimated from the velocity model should be within a half-cycle of the lowest frequency set. Evaluation of the velocity model will be performed by full waveform simulation. Where necessary, we can revisit first arrival picks, and re-construct travel-time tomography and process will be repeated until the convergence condition is met throughout the dataset.

Preprocessing for Full Waveform Inversion The seismic data will be processed to improve signal-to-noise ratio, and to eliminate excessive arrivals such as ground rolls and S-wave arrivals for acoustic FWI . The preprocessing flow may include FK-filtering to eliminate ground rolls and linear noises, Band-pass filter to extract target frequency range, Time-windowing to eliminate S-wave arrivals, Amplitude correction to calibrate elastic amplitudes to match the acoustic implementation. True amplitude correction. Spiking/Predictive Deconvoution.

Making velocity model by Full Waveform Inversion Full Waveform Inversion will be performed to build velocity model starting from the travel-time tomography result.