Abstract
Anisotropy correction is necessary during the processing of converted PSwave seismic data to achieve accurate structural imaging, reservoir prediction, and fracture detection. To effectively eliminate the adverse effects of S-wave splitting and to improve PSwave imaging quality, we tested methods for pre-stack migration imaging and anisotropic correction of PS-wave data. We based this on the propagation rules of seismic waves in a horizontal transverse isotropy medium, which is a fractured medium model that reflects likely subsurface conditions in the field. We used the radial (R) and transverse (T) components of PS-wave data to separate the fast and slow S-wave components, after which their propagation moveout was effectively extracted. Meanwhile, corrections for the energies and propagation moveouts of the R and T components were implemented using mathematical rotation. The PS-wave imaging quality was distinctly improved, and we demonstrated the reliability of our methods through numerical simulations. Applying our methods to three-dimensional and three-component seismic field data from the Xinchang-Hexingchang region of the Western Sichuan Depression in China, we obtained high-quality seismic imaging with continuous reflection wave groups, distinct structural features, and specific stratigraphic contact relationships. This study provides an effective and reliable approach for data processing that will improve the exploration of complex, hidden lithologic gas reservoirs.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Akalin, M. F., Muhamad, A.A., Tan, Y.C., et al., 2014, 3D-PS converted waves-solving 3D-imaging challenges under gas clouds-offshore Malaysia: 76th EAGE Conference & Exhibition, Extended Abstracts, Tu D202 03.
Alford, R. M., 1986, Shear data in the presence of azimuthal anisotropy: 56th Annual International Meeting, SEG, Expanded Abstracts, 476–479.
Berryman, J. G., 2009, Aligned vertical fractures, HTI reservoir symmetry and Thomsen seismic anisotropy parameters for polar media: Geophysical Prospecting, 57(2), 193–208.
Chang, C. H., Chang, Y. F., Tseng, P. Y., 2017, Azimuthal variation of converted-wave amplitude in a reservoir with vertically aligned fractures-a physical model study: Geophysical Prospecting, 65(1), 221–228.
Chen, H. F., Li, X. Y., Qian, Z. P., et al., 2016, Prestack migration velocity analysis based on simplified twoparameter moveout equation: Applied Geophysics, 13(1), 135–144.
Cheng, B. J., and Xu, T. J., 2009, Application of converted wave data in reservoir prediction for Chuanxi depression: Geophysical Prospecting for Petroleum (in Chinese), 48(02), 181–186.
Cheng, J. B., Wang, T. F., Wang, C. L., and Geng, J. H., 2012, Azimuth-preserved local angle-domain prestack time migration in isotropic, vertical transversely isotropic and azimuthally anisotropic media: Geophysics, 77(2), S51–S64.
Crampin, S., and Peacock, S., 2005., A review of shear-wave splitting in the compliant crack-critical anisotropic earth: Wave Motion, 41(1), 59–77.
Dai, H. C., and Li, X. Y., 2005, Accuracy of a simplified moveout formula for PS converted–waves in multilayered media: 75th Annual International Meeting, SEG, Expanded Abstracts, 1010–1014.
Dai, H. C., and Li, X. Y., 2006, The effects of migration velocity errors on travel time accuracy in prestack Kirchhoff time migration and the image of PS converted waves: Geophysics, 71(2), S73–S83.
Dai, H. C., and Li, X. Y., 2007a, Velocity model updating in prestack Kirchhoff time migration for PS converted waves Part I–Theory: Geophysical Prospecting, 55(4), 525–547.
Dai, H. C., and Li, X. Y., 2007b, Velocity model updating in prestack Kirchhoff time migration for PS converted waves Part II–Application: Geophysical Prospecting, 55(4), 549–559
Dai, H. C., and Li, X. Y., 2008a, A practical approach to compensate for diodic effects of PS converted waves. 78th Annual International Meeting, SEG, Expanded Abstracts: pp. 3053–3057.
Dai, H. C., and Li, X. Y., 2008b, Effect of errors in the migration velocity model of PS-converted waves on travel time accuracy in prestack Kirchhoff time migration in weak anisotropic media: Geophysics, 73(5), S195–S205.
Dai, H. C., and Li, X.Y., 2011, Fracture detection using PS converted waves: A case study from Daqing oil field: 81st Annual Meeting, SEG, Expanded Abstracts, 1318–1322.
Dai, H. C., Li, X. Y., and Conway, P., 2004, 3-D prestack Kichh off time migration of PS-waves and migration velocity model building: 74th Annual International Meeting, SEG, Expanded Abstracts, 2227–2230.
Gaiser, J. E., 1999, Applications for vector coordinate systems of 3-D converted wave data: The Leading Edge, 18(11), 1290–1300.
Huang, Z. Y., and Wang, Y. J., 2014, An effective 3D PSwave true-amplitude prestack time migration method: Geophysical Prospecting for Petroleum (in Chinese), 53(04), 431–436.
Huang, Z. Y., Qu, S. L., Wang, Y. J., et al., 2009, Kirchhoff prestack time migration of PS-wave data for the layered anisotropic medium: Chinese Journal of Geophysics (in Chinese), 52(12), 3109–3115.
Jenner, E., 2011, Combining VTI and HTI anisotropy in prestack time migration: Workflow and data examples: The Leading Edge, 30(7), 732–739.
Koren, Z., and Ravve, I., 2014, Azimuthally dependent anisotropic velocity model update: Geophysics, 79(2), C27–C53.
Li, H.Q., Lin, W., Lu, Z. W., et al, 2015, Azimuth anisotropy moveout removal based on difference: Oil Geophysical Prospecting (in Chinese), 50(06), 1112–1117.
Li, X. M., Chen, S. Q., and Li, X. Y., 2013, The analysis and application of simplified two-parameter moveout equation for C-waves in VTI anisotropy media: Applied Geophysics, 10(4), 477–87.
Li, X. Y., and Yuan, J. X., 2003, Converted-wave moveout and convrsion-point equations in layered VTI media: theory and application: Journal of Applied Geophysics 54(3), 297–318.
Li, X. Y., and Yuan, J. X., 2005, Converted-wave seismology in anisotropic media revisited, part I: basic theory: Applied Geophysics, 2(1), 26—40.
Mahmoudian, F., Margrave, G. F., Wong, J., and Henley, D. C., 2015, Azimuthal amplitude variation with offset analysis of physical modeling data acquired over an azimuthally anisotropic medium: Geophysics, 80(1), C21–C35.
Qian, Z. P., Zhang, S. H., Zhao, B., et al., 2012, Numerical modeling of PP-and PS-wave azimuthal anisotropy in HTI media: Applied Geophysics, 9(4), 429–439.
Simmons, J. L., 2009, Converted-wave splitting estimation and compensation: Geophysics, 74(1), D37–D48.
Skopintseva, L., and Alkhalifah, T., 2013, An analysis of AVO inversion for postcritical offsets in HTI media: Geophysics, 78(3), N11–N20.
Sun, C. W., and Martinez, R. D., 2003, 3D Kirchhoff PSwave prestack time migration for V(z) and VTI media: 73rd Annual International Meeting, SEG, Expanded Abstracts, 957–960.
Thomsen, L., 1986, Weak elastic anisotropy: Geophysics, 51(10), 1954–1966.
Thomsen, L., 1999, Converted-wave reflection seismology over inhomogeneous anisotropic media: Geophysics, 64(3), 678–690.
Tsvankin, I., and Thomsen, L., 1995, Inversion of reflection traveltimes for transverse anisotropic: Geophysics, 60(4), 1095–1107.
Zhang, L. Y., Liu, Y., Chen, X. H., 2009, Converted wave amplitude-preserving prestack migration by pseudo-offset migration: Journal of China University of Petroleum (in Chinese), 33(05), 50–55.
Zhang, L. Y., Wang, Y. C., and Pei, J. Y., 2015, Threecomponent seismic data in thin interbedded reservoir exploration: Applied Geophysics, 12(1), 79–85.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41574099) and the National Key Science and Technology Special Projects (grant No. 2016ZX05002004-005).
Yan Li-Li. is a Ph.D. student studying Quaternary geology at the Chengdu University of Technology. Her research interests are seismic wave propagation theory and application technology, geological structures and Quaternary environments.
Cheng Bing-Jie is an associate professor at the Chengdu University of Technology. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in applied geophysics from the China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) in 2000 and received a master's degree in Earth exploration and information technology from the same university in 2003. She received her PhD from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2007. Her main research interests are seismic anisotropy analysis, multi-component seismic exploration, and reservoir prediction methods.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yan, LL., Cheng, BJ., Xu, TJ. et al. Study and application of PS-wave pre-stack migration in HTI media and an anisotropic correction method. Appl. Geophys. 15, 57–68 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11770-018-0660-2
Received:
Revised:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11770-018-0660-2