Slip slidin’ away – some practical implications of seismic velocity anisotropy on depth imaging
By Don C. Lawton*, Dept. of Geology and Geophysics, University of Calgary
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Summary
We can no long ignore seismic velocity anisotropy in
seismic data processing. Laboratory and field studies have
provided compelling evidence that shales exhibit intrinsic
transverse isotropy (TI), in which the seismic velocity
parallel to the laminations is greater than that perpendicular
to the layering, with the difference being as high as 30%. In
flat-layered clastic sequences such as in the Plains of
Alberta, the TI axis of symmetry is essentially vertical.
Isotropic depth migration of reflection seismic data tends to
overestimate the true depths of reflectors since the imaging
velocity is generally greater than the true vertical velocity.
In structured areas, such as the Rocky Mountain fold and
thrust belt, strata are often rotated in folds and in the
hanging walls of thrust faults. These strata form coherent
panels with high angles of dip, so that the TI axis of
symmetry is no longer vertical. In these situations,
significant depth and position errors of targets occur if
seismic velocities are assumed to be isotropic during data
processing.
The practical impact of velocity anisotropy on seismic
imaging is being investigated by researchers in the
Foothills Research Project at the University of Calgary, in
conjunction with the Project sponsors, using numerical
scaled physical seismic modelling studies and analysis of
field seismic data. Models of thrust faults incorporating
anisotropic layers demonstrate time-structural anomalies
and discontinuities on events from horizontal reflectors
below the thrusts. These effects are induced by velocity
anisotropy in the overlying, dipping layers. Another model
consists of a simple step function underlying a layer of
anisotropic material that has its axis of symmetry, or
bedding plane normal, dipping at 45 degrees. Isotropic
depth migration of seismic data collected over this model
yielded errors in depth and lateral position of
approximately 5% and 20% of the thickness of the
anisotropic layer, respectively. Anisotropic depth migration
correctly positioned the target, but required a more
sophisticated velocity model which includes the known
magnitude and dip of the slow velocity vector as well as the
Thomsen anisotropy parameters e and d. For processing
field data, however, these anisotropy parameters have to be
determined independently, and assigned as initial values
during interpreter-driven depth imaging. We have
established a range of values for these parameters through
multiazimuth refraction seismic surveys in areas where
steeply dipping strata outcrop at surface. Examples of
seismic data from the western Canadian Foothills show
improved quality and positional accuracy of images when
SEG 2000 Expanded Abstracts
anisotropy is incorporated into the velocity model building
process.
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