Processing solutions for wide‐azimuth data: Outcome from a WATS field experiment in deepwater Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Wide Azimuth Towed Streamer (WATS) acquisition has already proved to be a key technique in improving seismic imaging, especially in complex areas such as sub-salt plays. In 2006, a WATS field experiment was conducted in a deep water area of the Gulf of Mexico. The main purpose was to challenge recently developed 3D processing algorithms and find the most suitable processing strategy for a wide azimuth dataset. The results indicate that a 3D shot based processing sequence is an effective solution that accommodates the effects related to the multi-pass acquisition method and realizes the full benefit of the recorded 3D wide azimuth wave field.