Seismic Imaging in Anisotropic Media

Rolf Klotz
Swee Leng Ng
Sue Downie
Martin Bayly

Western Geophysical,
a Division of Baker Hughes International

Western Geophysical

Or ..
Why NMO is no longer the best
way to moveout & migrate
long offset data

Regular Normal (Hyperbolic) Move Out

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Approx
70

Data courtesy of TGS-Nopec

Approx
30

Anisotropic Media

Theory
Derivation
Examples

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Anisotropy

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The Directional Variation of Propagation Velocity

V = 2000 m/s

V = 1600 m/s

V = 1500 m/s

Horizontally Layered Earth Model

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Snells law - raybending at interface boundaries

Greater horizontal distance covered in fastest

intervals

Curved raypath arrives sooner than predicted by

straight ray calculation

Consider a series of Isotropic Layers.

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(Generally increasing Interval Velocities with Depth)

NMO assumes Straight Ray and uses VRMS (Green Line)

AMO comprehends Ray Bending and uses VINT (Purple Line)

VRMS

Note: although each layer is Isotropic, overall the system is Apparently Anisotropic

Velocity Model Resolution vs. Travel Time

Velocity Logs

Offset -->

Depth

Velocity-->

Ray Tracing

Raw
Blocked
VRMS

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Velocity Layering

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Earths layering separated into macroscopic

(raybending) and microscopic (anisotropy)

Macroscopic is coarse layering as in inter-bedded

sandstone / siltstone sequence

Microscopic is fine layering as in a shale

Extremely fine velocity model layering requires

only raybending correction

Anisotropy Vs Raybending

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Raybending - raytracing velocity field

Apparent Anisotropy - velocity variation below

resolution of velocity field

Anisotropy simulated by inducing fine

oscillations in the velocity field

(but preserving the RMS velocity)

Velocity sub-layers < wavelength can be shuffled

without significant effect on propagated energy

Traveltime Vs Velocity Resolution

Traveltime
Raybending
Raybending

Anisotropy

Apparent Anisotropy

50ms

100ms

Velocity Resolution

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Apparent Anisotropic Moveout (AMO)

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A New non-hyperbolic moveout that honours Snells

Law for any temporal velocity variation (raybending)

Fine tuning by supplying percentage of anisotropy

Precise corrections up to and beyond the critical angle
Production Code -easy to implement
Allows overlapping moveout curves

Overlapping moveout curves

Offset

Time

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AMO Definitions

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X/Va

1 V2
x1

To

2 V 2
x2

AMO Equation Derivation

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*
* Taner & Koehler 1969

AMO Equation Derivation - 2

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AMO Advantages

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Flatter moveout corrected gathers for AVO

Less stretch on far offsets
Widens useable offset range
Direct measurement of vertical RMS velocity for

improved depth conversion and or migrations

Improved resolution of velocity analyses

Accurate moveout for P-S mode conversion data
Maintains hyperbolic curvature on multiple events

Isotropic Model - NMO corrected

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Full Elastic Model - Including P-S Conversions & Multiples

Isotropic Model - AMO Method - 0% corrected

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Anisotropic Model - NMO corrected

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Anisotropic Model - AMO - 0% Anisotropy

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Anisotropic Model - AMO & Time Variant Aniso.%

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Comparison of Moveout Methods

NMO

4th Order

AMO

Raybending only

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AMO

+ T.V. Aniso. %

Apparent Anisotropy % Analysis

NMO

0%

5%

10%

15%

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20%

Generalised AMO Processing Flow

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Normal preprocessed
Gather data (No mute)
Mute to

First Pass
Velocity
Analysis

30 degrees

Select VA Locations

Optional
NMO Based

AMO application

Analysis

Velocity Analysis
Inverse NMO

Further prestack processing

Demult, DMO ,PSTM Etc.
Mute to
60 degrees

Second Pass
Velocity
Analysis

NMO Based
Velocity Analysis

Anisotropic %

Select VA Locations

Final NMO
Save gathers for AVO etc
Final Mute and Stack
Final Migration

AMO Velocity Analysis Technique

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Pick initial RMS velocity function from nearer

offsets

Apply AMO correction

Apply Inverse NMO
Conventional semblance based velocity analysis

Velocity Analysis (30 degree)

NMO

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AMO

Velocity Analysis (60 degree)

NMO

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AMO

Example 2 - Shorter Cable / Shallower Water

NMO

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AMO

60o

3800 metre streamer, 180 msec of water

20o

40o

AMO Used for P-S Mode Conversion Data

NMO

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AMO

Non Hyperbolic Moveout and Multiples

Offset

NMO

Time

Primary

Multiple

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Offset

AMO

Anisotropic Media Imaging Issues

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Stacking velocity too fast for depth conversion

NMO over-corrects especially at far offset and

early reflection times

Steeply dipping fault planes image at a higher

velocity than near flat reflectors

Straight Ray Vs. Curved Ray Imaging

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Consider again a series of Isotropic Layers.

(Generally increasing Interval Velocities with Depth)

Time Migration Imaging

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Finite Difference and F-X Time migrations honour

Snells Law

F-K and Kirchhoff time migrations ignore Snells

Law

Kirchhoff can honour Snells Law by replacing

hyperbolic imaging equation with AMO equation

Post Stack Migration

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Kirchhoff PSTM

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Curved Ray PSTM

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Comparison of Migration Methods

Post Stack
Migration

DMO + Stack + Mig

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Curved Ray
PSTM

Kirchhoff
PSTM

Full Pre Stack Mig + Stack

Full Pre Stack Mig + Stack

All tests use the same velocity field

PSTM Mini Stacks (60 degree)

Straight Ray

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Curved Ray

PSTM Velocity Analysis (60degree)

Straight Ray

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Curved Ray

PSTM Gathers
Straight Ray

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Curved Ray

Anisotropic Migration Issues

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PSDM honours Snells Law for both temporal and

lateral velocity gradients

PSTM should honour Snells Law for temporal

gradients

Summary

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AMO is expected to become part of routine

processing in near future

Migrations that ignore Snells law produce poor

results

AMO equations can be used to make migration

comprehend Snells law (raybending)

Summary

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With non normal surface seismic collection the

earth behaves with apparent anisotropy

Ignoring Snells law leads to poor moveout

corrections

Effectiveness of AMO correction technique was

demonstrated

References

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Taner M.T. & Koehler F., 1969 Velocity Spectra -Digital

Computer Derivation and Applications of Velocity

Functions. Geophysics Vol. 36 No 6 (December 1969)
P859-881

Klotz R. 1979 Unpublished MSc studies.1979

Lynn W. , Gonzalez A. & MacKay S., 1989. Where are the

fault plane reflections? Abstract of paper: "In quest of the

flank", by Larner K., Beasley C. & Lynn W., Geophysics
Vol. 54, No 6 (June1989) P701-717