Pre‐stack Kirchhoff depth imaging in deepwater, Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Accuracy and efficiency of every aspect of Kirchhoff migration (travel time calculation and interpolation, seismic data I/O, anti-aliasing, amplitude and illumination compensation, job partitioning, etc.) are critical in obtaining a timely, high-quality depth imaging result. A good algorithm however, does not necessarily always warrant a satisfactory and interpretable depth image in practice. Geological interpretation, regional understanding and careful 3D velocity model building are essential to the success of pre-stack depth imaging of sub-salt structures in the Deepwater, GOM. Many case history studies in the Deepwater GOM (area shown in Figure 1) indicate that Kirchhoff depth migration is still one of the important tools in production imaging of complex structures.