Subsalt illumination studies through longitudinal and transversal wave propagation

Abstract

In this paper, propagation and illumination studies have been performed for acoustic and elastic wave field propagation through a realistic model representing a typical Gulf of Mexico salt structure. Strong wave conversions may occur at the interfaces of sediments and adjacent salt bodies. These wave conversions occur because of the high velocity contrasts and inhomogeneities, and in general (longitudinal) P-waves get scattered, refracted and converted due the stronger wave distortion effects of (longitudinal) P-waves at these strong velocity contrasts, yielding large shadow zones. On the other hand, the converted (transversal) S-waves, propagate in general in the salt bodies with less wave front distortion because of their lower propagation velocity and, therefore smaller contrasts with the surrounding sediment P-wave velocities.

Accurate imaging through integration of subsurface illumination and optimal data acquisition

“…In the remaining part of this abstract, 3 dimensional illuminating beams have been used to study and analyze the subsurface (Alai et al, 2007) and accurately image and locate target zones with optimally acquired seismic data. These examples illustrate the importance of designing seismic data acquisition surveys, based on a given subsurface model, for optimal imaging and higher rate of success in finding potential reservoirs.…”

Illumination of the subsurface towards identifying shadow zones and optimizing target images

“…Illuminating beams have been introduced by (Alá'i and Berkhout, 1996). In this abstract we use three dimensional illuminating beams for subsurface studies (Alai et al, 2007). Subsurface illumination plays an important role in the analysis and accuracy of migrated images and the overall detailed interpretation of the earth's subsurface (Alá'i, 1997).…”