Mehta Slides PDF

SIGNIFICANCE OF FRESNEL ZONES IN
SEISMIC REFLECTION PROSPECTING

C. H. Mehta, Consultant - Seismic Imaging &
Inversion
SEG_HL @ SHELL Technology Center,

Bangalore, India
4th Sept 2009
4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA
Acknowledgements
Society of Exploration Geophysicists for

inviting me to serve in the HL program
Shell for Sponsoring the HL
program
Mr. Gautum Kumar for being a wonderful

host
Acknowledgements
Special thanks are

due to Crystal
Dugger,
Professional
Development
Advisor, SEG, for
coordinating my HL
program in a highly
professional
manner.
SEG Membership
Technical Journals in Print and Online

Networking Opportunities
Receive Membership Discounts on:
Continuing Education Courses
Publications
Workshops and Meetings
SEGmaterialsareavailabletoday!
Join Online x x x http://seg.org/join

Outline of the presentation
Motivation for studying Fresnel zones.

Definitions of Fresnel zones - in depth & time
Diffraction from a terminating reflector using
Fresnel zones.
Response of a disk as a function of its
radius using the concept of Fresnel zones.
Heuristic derivation of expressions for vertical and
lateral resolution for finite S/N ratio.
Significance of Fresnel zone for migration
Why study Fresnel zones?-1
1. The study of Fresnel

zones will help us
understand how the
seismic response of an
object depends on its
lateral size.
This in turn will lead us
to understand the limit
of lateral resolution.
Zero offset response of

a circular disk with
radius = r
Why study Fresnel zones?-2

h
Kirchoff sum over

diffraction response
using half aperture = h
r
Zero offset response of a
circular disk with radius = r
2. If h = r, then the sum of the traces in the left frame = sum of the traces
in the right (for a laterally uniform medium). Thus, the study of Fresnel
zones can help us understand how Kirchhoff migration response
depends on migration aperture.
Fresnel Zones for a point monochromatic source

with wavelength
S
d
Divide the plane into circular zones such that distance of S from
the boundaries of successive circles differ by /4.
i.e. SQ SP = SR SQ = =
/4
Fresnel Zones - for a line source

Line source
S
Divide the plane into strips parallel to the source line such that
distance of S from the boundaries of successive strips differ by
/ 4, i.e. SQ SP = SR SQ = =
/4
Definition of First Fresnel Zone - zero offset case

S/ R
d+/4
r2= (d+/4)2 d2
r
r~d /2
for d >>
r =Radius of 1st Fresnel Zone
The 1st Fresnel zone is the portion of the reflector from which the reflected
energy can reach the receiver within the first half cycle of reflection; amplitudes
reaching the detector from this zone add constructively to produce a
reflection. R. E. Sheriff, Monogram for Fresnel zone calculation,
Geophysics, v. 45, 5 (1980), p. 968
The 1st Fresnel zone on a zero offset time section

for a flat reflector
Response of a
diffractor located
on a flat reflector.
Within a Fresnel
zone, the seismic
response has the
same polarity.
Source: Claerbout, J. F. 1985,

Imaging the Earths Interior,
Blackwell Scientific Publications.
Definition of First Fresnel Zone - finite offset case

S
SQR = SPR+/2
For d >> , r { 1 + x2 / 4 d2 }3/4 (d/2)

Ref: John C. Bancroft and Shuang Sun, Fresnel zones and power of
stacking in preparation of data for AVO analysis, SEG Conference, 2003
The 1st Fresnel zone on a finite offset time section

for a flat reflector
The Fresnel zone is the area bounded between the diffraction response shown here in red - and the half cycle of the finite offset time response of the
reflector. Source: John C. Bancroft and Shuang Sun, SEG Conference, 2003
1st Fresnel Zone - Dipping reflector (zero-offset)

Mid-point axis
C
S/R
r2= (d+/4)2 d2
d+/4
d = d Sec
For d >> ,
P
Q
r~(d Sec /2)
r = Radius of 1st Fresnel Zone,

CP = Path of specular reflection
CQ = A paraxial ray from the edge of 1st Fresnel zone
1st Fresnel Zone - dipping reflector (zero-offset)

Mid-point axis
Specular
rays
generate
time
response
PQ of the
reflector
PQ
C S/R
Paraxial rays generate
diffraction curve
Reflector
P

CP = 2-way time for the reflection from P
1st Fresnel Zone / aperture for a dipping reflector

(zero-offset case)
Mid-point axis
Time
response
PQ of the
reflector
PQ shown
in the
previous
slide.
C S/R
diffraction curve
1st
Fresnel
zone
The 1st Fresnel zone on a time section for a dipping

reflector
The half time period of the zero-offset response is represented by the dashed lines.
The intersection of the lower dashed line with the diffraction defines the spatial
extent of the 1st Fresnel zone. Note that the diffraction response is tangential to
the zero offset response at the point where specular reflection takes place. Some
authors also call Fresnel zone defined thus as Fresnel Aperture.
Source: John C. Bancroft and Shuang Sun, SEG Conference, 2003
Contribution of 1st Fresnels Zone > the

Total Sum from all Zones
S/R
++
Amplitudes fall due to

spherical divergence
& directivity
--
C1
Source/Receiver
-M1
++
M2
M3
C1 > C2 > C3
Each point on the reflector sends secondary wavelets some of which are
received at R; some elsewhere. The two-way path difference of successive
Fresnel zones from the point S/R is now half wave length, i.e., the signal
received back at S/R from successive zones have opposite phase. Let C1, C2,
.. indicate the average absolute amplitudes received at S/R from successive
half-zones.
Contribution from 1st Fresnel Zone > Total

Amplitude
2{ C1 C2 + C3 C4 + .. } = A (Say)
C1 > A/2 + [ C2 C3 + C4 -]
C1 > A/2
i.e. Contribution from 1st Fresnel zone = 2 C1 > A
We will show that contribution of 1st Fresnel Zone

to Amplitude ~ 2 (Total amplitude of infinite plate)
S/R
S/R
S/R
_
Response of a finite disc
Response of an infinite
plate
Response of an infinite
plate with a circular
hole
Let, f (t) = wavelet,
v = velocity in the medium
T0 = 2-way vertical travel time = 2 d /v

T = 2-way time from S/R to the edge of the disk = 2 r /v
S/R
S/R
S/R
d
r=d+/4
Zero-offset trace
f ( t T0 )
2d
f ( t T ) Cos
2r
In frequency domain
S/R
S/R
S/R
d
F ( ) exp( i T0 )
2d
r=d+/4
Zero-offset trace
2r
(1/ 2 d) F ( ) exp ( i T0)
= (1/ 2 d) F ( ) exp ( i T0)
F ( ) exp (i T)Cos
- (d / r )exp { i (T T0)} Cos

- (d / r )2 exp { i (T T0)}
We compute exp { i (T T0)} in the next slide -------->

Set T 0 = 2 d / v and T = 2 r / v = 2 ( d + / 4 )/ v.
Then, T T0 = / 2 v, and (T T0) = , exp { i (T T0)} = - 1
S/R
S/R
S/R
Zero-offset trace from1st Fresnel zone =
Total amplitude from infinite plate
r=d+/4
Amplitude from 1st Fresnel zone
(1 / 2 d) F ( ) exp ( i T0)
1+
1 +
(d / r ) 2
~2
[ 1 + ( / 4 d) ]2
Contribution from 1st k Fresnel Zones

Setting T 0 = 2 d / v and T = 2 ( d + k / 4 )/ v, T T0 = k / 2 v,
(T T ) = k , exp { i (T T )} = exp ( i k ) = (- 1)k;
0
Cos = d / r = d /( d + k / 4 )
S/R
S/R
S/R
d
d
1
2
k
Zero-offset trace from a disk

covering 1st k Fresnel zones
(1 / 2 d) F ( ) exp ( i T0)
r=d+k/4
1 - (-1)k(d / r ) 2
Contribution from 1st k Fresnel Zones (contd.)

Zero-offset trace from a disk
covering 1st k Fresnel zones
(1 / 2 d) F ( ) exp ( i T0)
Amplitude from 1st k zones

Total amplitude from infinite plate
1 - (-1)k(d / r ) 2
(-1)k
=
1 -
[ 1 + (k / 4 d) ]2
As k increases from 1, 2, 3,.. , the sum of the amplitudes from

the first k zones oscillates and stabilizes to 1 asymptotically.
Let us compare this heuristic result with

exact results from published literature.------>
Normalized reflection amplitude above center of a

disk as a function of the radius of the disk.
Wavelet (left frame) is monochromatic of 37.1 Hz. ( = 54 meters)
Input wavelet
Maxima & minima are the Fresnel zone boundaries
Source: Fresnel Zone for broadband data, Bruhl et.al, Geophysics, vol 61, p.600, 1996
Normalized Reflection amplitude (right panels) above the

center of a disk as a function of the disk radius:
Wavelets (left) are centered around 37.1 Hz ( = 54 meters).
2nd Fresnel zone boundary
What would be the zero-offset time section

for a streak of limestone surrounded by
shale?
S/R
S/R
S/R
S/R
S/R
Shale Shale
Shale
Shale Shale Shale

Limestone streak
Zero-offset section for a terminating reflector

First, reconsider the zero-offset response (2-D) of a reflector of infinite
extent. (Fresnel zones are now strips perpendicular to this plane).
S/R
d
++
C3
--
C2
--
++
C1
C1 > C2 > C3
2{ C1 C2 + C3 C4 + .. } = A > 0 (Say)
Zero-offset response for a terminating

reflector at a point above the edge
P
d
++
--
++
C3 < C2 < C1
Now only half the Fresnels zones contribute.

Therefore, the amplitude at P = { C1 C2 + C3 C4 + .. } = A /2

reflector at a point Q to the left of the edge
Q
d
++
C3
--
++
++
< C2 < C1
C1
Amplitude at Q = C1 + { C1 C2 + C3 C4 + .. }
= A /2 + C1

reflector at a point R to the right of the edge
R
d
++
--
++
++
C3 < C2 < C1
C1
Missing
Fresnel zone
Amplitude at R = { C2 + C3 C4 + .. }
= { C1 C2 + C3 C4 + .. } C1
= A /2 - C1
Note the polarity reversal with respect to the amplitude when the
observation point Q is to the left of the edge as in the previous slide
Zero-offset section for a terminating reflector
Amp =1 at -
Amp =1/2
Polarity reversal
Source: A simple theory of seismic diffractions, A.W. Trorey, Geophysics,35, No.5, 1970
What Causes Seismic Reflection and What

Causes Diffractions?
Reflection arises due to vertical changes in elastic

properties
Diffraction arises due to lateral changes (when the

wavelength of change is << seismic wavelengths)
Of course, this is a simplified view. Reflection can

also be explained as a sum of diffractions!!
Facies change
Rapid Facies change

Seismic Resolution
Vertical & lateral resolution

Difference between thresholds for
detecting & for resolving
Vertical Resolution: What is the minimum thickness

of a layer to resolve its top & bottom separately?
+R
=2d/v
-R
t
T/ 2
To see the top & bottom separately,
the second half cycles should have
minimum overlap.
i.e., > T/ 2 ; Or, d > / 4
Minimum thickness for a layer to be detectable

g(t) = -1 (4 / T) (t )
f (t) = 1 + 4 t / T
=2d/v
+1
T/ 2
t=0
-1
f (t) = 1 - 4 t / T
g(t) = -1 + (4 / T) (t )
Minimum detectable thickness depends on

wavelength and S/N ratio
h (t ) = f (t) + g(t) is the
composite wavelet in red
+1
=2d/v
h (t) = + 4 / T
t =0
-1
T/ 4
h (t) = - 4 / T
h (t) = 4 / T
8t/
t
t
For a layer to be detectable, the highest absolute value of the

total response > noise level (N).
i.e. 4 / T > N.
For N = 0.5, > T/ 8 Or d > V T / 16 = /16
Lateral Resolution
Zero-offset time-domain response of a finite disk

Source/Receiver
What will happen

as the size AA
shrinks?
D1 = D2 = V /2
After A simple theory of seismic diffractions, Trorey, A.W., Geophysics, 35, No 5, 1970
Zero-Offset time-domain response of a finite disk

Source/Receiver
D1 = D2 = V /2
where V = R.C.
Let be the 2-way

time difference here
between reflection &
diffraction
Limit of Lateral Resolution

= 2-way time difference
between reflection &
diffraction above the
center of the disk
= 2 (PQ -PC) /v
= r2/(d v).
For resolving the edges
of a diffractor, we must
have > T/2,
i.e, r2 > d / 2
Or, r > rF
Resolution before & after migration
Before Migration:
The resolution radius ~ rF (1st Fresnel zone radius)
= Sqrt [ (d + /4 )2 - d2 ] ~ Sqrt ( d /2) for d>>

After Migration:
Migration collapses diffractions and theoretical limit is
obtained by setting d = 0.
i.e. resolution radius ~ /4
Setting d = 0 can be understood also from the
concept of migration as a process of downward
continuation to each depth and picking up the
reflected energy
A numerical example on resolution
2 Km
shale
sand
70 m
Will sand lens be

resolved laterally on
a stack section? (a)
before migration (b)
after migration.
Dominant frequency
= 50 Hz Vshale = 2
Km/s, Vsand = 3 Km/s
Answer to the exercise on lateral resolution
For computing Fresnel zone, the relevant wavelength is the

wavelength in the overburden and not in the target geo-body.
= c / f = 2000 /50 = 40 m
Therefore, radius of 1st Fresnel zone = rF = Sqrt ( d * /2 ) = Sqrt
(2000* 40 /2) = 200 m
Since the radius of the sand lens = 35 m is < rF , lens will not be
resolved laterally on un-migrated stack.
After migration the limit of resolvability is radius of /4 . Since the

radius of the lens = 35 m is > /4 = 10 m, it will be resolved on the
migrated section.
How big a disk must be for it to be

detectable?
Diffracted amplitude = - cos2 () X reflected
amplitude
As radius shrinks, goes to zero, and we may apply
the result derived for vertical resolution limits,
namely, the highest absolute value of the
total response (sum of reflection and diffraction) >
noise level (N).
i.e. 4 / T > N.
Threshold of Lateral Detectability
Detectability : 4 / T > N
For N = 0.5, 4 {r2/(d v)} / T > 0.5
i.e., r2/(d v T ) > 1/8

r2/ d > 1/8
Or, r > Sqrt ( d / 8 ) ~ 0.5 * rF
If Signal / Noise is higher, even smaller lateral size can be

detected
Correct treatment of the amplitude of diffraction, by keeping

cos2 term, reduces the threshold of detectability
Zero-offset Time Response (band-limited) above the center of a disk

as a function of the radius (in units of h, the depth of the disk). T0 is
2-way time = 2h/v for the model below, rF ~ 0.1h
Reflection
Diffraction
What is the amplitude of a point diffractor?

How big should be the disk for it to be detectable?
How big
should be the
disk for
reflection to
separate
from
diffraction? If
we take, r/h ~
0.1, we get r
~ rF
Source: Fresnel zones in the light of broadband data, Knapp, R.W.,Geophy 56,
3(1991), p. 354
Migration as Diffraction Summation

Following Huygens principle, a seismic reflector is viewed as
composed of closely spaced diffractors. Migration of a seismic section
is achieved by collapsing each diffraction hyperbola to its origin
(apex). Thus, each point on the output migrated section is produced by
adding all data values of the input un-migrated section along a
diffraction that is centered at that point and placing the result at the
vertex of the diffractor .
Migrated section
Un-migrated
Migration Aperture
Migration aperture is defined as the lateral

extent of input traces required in input to
generate one output trace.
Question: What should be the aperture for

migration of seismic data? ---->
Migration Aperture
h
Kirchoff sum over

diffraction response
using half aperture = h
r
Zero offset response of a
circular disk with radius = r
If h = r, then the sum of the traces in the left frame = sum of the traces in
the right (for a laterally uniform medium). Now recall the result for the
zero offset response of a disk as a function of its radius --->.
Normalized Reflection amplitude (right panels) above the

center of a disk as a function of the disk radius:
Wavelets (left) are centered around 37.1 Hz ( = 54 meters).
2nd Fresnel zone boundary
Minimum Migration
Aperture
----> Based on numerical experiments by a

number of authors, notably, Shuang Sun & John
Bankroft (SEG, 2001) and the above discussion,
the aperture should be minimum two times the
size of the 1st Fresnel zone. However, note that
minimum aperture is not the same thing as
sufficient aperture and best aperture should be
evaluated on the basis of actual migration
response in a time and space varying fashion.
A numerical experiment on Migration Aperture
The dip = 450. Velocity = 2000 m/s. Size

(diameter) of 1st Fresnel zone for the diffractor,
flat reflector and the dipping reflector (at its
lowest point) are 160 m , 224 m & 266 m,
respectively.
Stack section obtained by processing

synthetic records for the model
Courtesy: Private communication with Dr. JVSSN Murty, ONGC

Post-stack migration aperture = 200 meters

Post-stack Migration - aperture = 300 meters
Courtsey: Private communication with Dr. JVSSN Murty, ONGC

Post-stack Migration - aperture = 500 meters

Post-stack Migration - aperture > 1000 meters
Courtsey: Private communication with Dr. JVSSN Murty, ONGC

Effect of too low or too large aperture on migration

(SEG/EAGE Over-thrust data set)
Source: Rastogi, et. al, Aperture width selection criterion in Kirchhoff

Migration Seminar of Association of Exploration Geophysics, Nov 810, 2000, Goa, India
1st Fresnel Zone - Dipping reflector (zero-offset)

Mid-point axis
Specular
rays
generate
time
response
PQ of the
reflector
PQ
C S/R
diffraction curve
Reflector
P

CP = 2-way time for the reflection from P
Principle of Fresnel Aperture Migration

Mid-point axis
Time
response
PQ of the
reflector
PQ shown
in the
previous
slide.
C S/R
P
1st
Fresnel
zone
Fresnel Aperture
Migration consists of
summing the
amplitudes over
Fresnel Apertures
(for each offset)
rather than over the
full diffraction curve.
The selection of
Fresnel apertures is
user-guided.
Fresnel aperture pre-stack depth migration
The Marmousi velocity model with target area.

Source: Hosine Tabti, Leiv-J Gelius & Thomas
Hellmann, First Break V.22, March 2004
Fresnel aperture pre-stack depth migration
Left Panel: Conventional Kirchhoff PSDM. Right Panel: Fresnel

Aperture PSDM. Only one offset (near offset) is migrated to
illustrate the potential of the method. Source: Hosine Tabti, LeivJ Gelius & Thomas Hellmann, First Break V.22, March 2004

Mehta Slides PDF

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Descrizione originale:

Titolo originale

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

Mehta Slides PDF

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

SIGNIFICANCE OF FRESNEL ZONES IN

SEISMIC REFLECTION PROSPECTING

SEG_HL @ SHELL Technology Center,

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

Society of Exploration Geophysicists for

Shell for Sponsoring the HL

Mr. Gautum Kumar for being a wonderful

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

Special thanks are

Technical Journals in Print and Online

Join Online x x x http://seg.org/join

Outline of the presentation

Motivation for studying Fresnel zones.

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

Why study Fresnel zones?-1

1. The study of Fresnel

Zero offset response of

Why study Fresnel zones?-2

Kirchoff sum over

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

Fresnel Zones for a point monochromatic source

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

Fresnel Zones - for a line source

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

Definition of First Fresnel Zone - zero offset case

r =Radius of 1st Fresnel Zone

The 1st Fresnel zone on a zero offset time section

Source: Claerbout, J. F. 1985,

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

Definition of First Fresnel Zone - finite offset case

For d >> , r { 1 + x2 / 4 d2 }3/4 (d/2)

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

The 1st Fresnel zone on a finite offset time section

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

1st Fresnel Zone - Dipping reflector (zero-offset)

r~(d Sec /2)

r = Radius of 1st Fresnel Zone,

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

1st Fresnel Zone - dipping reflector (zero-offset)

CP = Path of specular reflection

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

1st Fresnel Zone / aperture for a dipping reflector

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

The 1st Fresnel zone on a time section for a dipping

Contribution of 1st Fresnels Zone > the

Amplitudes fall due to

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

Contribution from 1st Fresnel Zone > Total

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

We will show that contribution of 1st Fresnel Zone

Response of a finite disc

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

Let, f (t) = wavelet,

v = velocity in the medium

T0 = 2-way vertical travel time = 2 d /v

4th Aug 2009, SHELL, INDIA

(1/ 2 d) F ( ) exp ( i T0)

= (1/ 2 d) F ( ) exp ( i T0)

- (d / r )exp { i (T T0)} Cos

We compute exp { i (T T0)} in the next slide -------->

Zero-offset trace from1st Fresnel zone =

Total amplitude from infinite plate