An Intermediate Reference Datum Static Correction Technique and Its Applications

Static corrections using the conventional method are basically conducted in two steps, the weathering correction followed by the correction from the top of the sub-weathering to the unified datum. However, the conventional method fails to well deal with statics problems in case the top of the sub-weathering is sharply undulated and the lateral velocity of the sub-weathering varies significantly. This brings us to the introduction of a smooth intermediate reference datum （IRD） located under the top of the sub-weathering, which helps to further increase the accuracy of statics based on the weathering corrections, and ensures the imaging quality. Good results based on the IRD technique have been achieved in the complex areas in western China. This paper discusses the IRD functions, its application requirements, and selection of related parameters. Some typical sections for comparison are also given in this paper.

Identification and Correction for MT Static Shift Using TEM Inversion Technique

The inversion of TEM data, using the observed magnetic fields instead of that of apparent resistivities data in this paper, avoids the errors caused by the definition of the apparent resistivity. The inversed results by fitting the magnetic fields of the transmitter source's image with the observed magnetic fields are relatively less affected by the conductivity inhomogeneity. The MT apparent curve is calculated on the basis of the conductivity model constructed from the TEM inversion results. This curve is used as a reference curve for the correction of MT static shift, which makes the correction more reliable. Meanwhile, the domain transformation is also achieved from time to frequency between the two kinds of electromagnetic data. Therefore, the correction of the MT static shift is actualized using TEM inversion method. The corresponding application research shows that this method is very effective for the identification and correction of the MT static shift.

Research on angle-dependent to mographic static correction

Reflection data in CMP has influenced seriously in static calculations,especially in some highly weathered and structurally altered circumstances. Because of static correction in the existed problems and requests,the authors studied the angle dependent tomographic static correction,and discussed its basic theory, including the establishment of forward model,the calculation theory of tomography and tomographic static correction. The usage of theoretical models and practical information on the method has been validated. The results show that using these methods to calculate static correction in a complex area,the quality of static correction is greatly improved.

Direct pre-stack depth migration on rugged topography

Engineering seismic exploration aims at shallow imaging which is confused by statics if the surface is uneven. Direct pre-stack depth migration （DPDM） is based on accurate elevations of sources and receivers, by which static correction is completely abandoned before migration and surely the imaging quality is remarkably improved. To obtain some artificial shot gathers, high-order staggered-grid finite-difference （FD） method is adapted to model acoustic wave propagation. Since the shot gathers are always disturbed by regular interferences, the statics still must be applied to supporting the interference elimination by apparent velocity filtering method. Then all the shot gathers should be removed back to their original positions by reverse statics. Finally, they are migrated by pre-stack reverse-time depth migration and imaged. The numerical experiments show that the DPDM can ideally avoid the mistakes caused by statics and increase imaging precision.

Characteristics analysis on high density spatial sampling seismic data

China＇s continental deposition basins are characterized by complex geological structures and various reservoir lithologies. Therefore, high precision exploration methods are needed. High density spatial sampling is a new technology to increase the accuracy of seismic exploration. We briefly discuss point source and receiver technology, analyze the high density spatial sampling in situ method, introduce the symmetric sampling principles presented by Gijs J. O. Vermeer, and discuss high density spatial sampling technology from the point of view of wave field continuity. We emphasize the analysis of the high density spatial sampling characteristics, including the high density first break advantages for investigation of near surface structure, improving static correction precision, the use of dense receiver spacing at short offsets to increase the effective coverage at shallow depth, and the accuracy of reflection imaging. Coherent noise is not aliased and the noise analysis precision and suppression increases as a result. High density spatial sampling enhances wave field continuity and the accuracy of various mathematical transforms, which benefits wave field separation. Finally, we point out that the difficult part of high density spatial sampling technology is the data processing. More research needs to be done on the methods of analyzing and processing huge amounts of seismic data.

Common reflection surface stack using dip decomposition for rugged surface topography

We present an extension of the Common Reflection Surface （CRS） stack that provides support for an arbitrary top surface topography. CRS stacking can be applied to the original prestack data without the need for any elevation statics. The CRS-stacked zero- offset section can be corrected （redatumed） to a given planar level by kinematic wave field attributes. The seismic processing results indicate that the CRS stacked section for rugged surface topography is better than the conventional stacked section for S/N ratio and better continuity of reflection events. Considering the multiple paths of zero-offset rays, the method deals with reflection information coming from different dips and performs the stack using the method of dip decomposition, which improves the kinematic and dynamic character of CRS stacked sections.

The study and analysis of floating datum selection for rugged terrain

We analyze the characteristics of different floating datums for static corrections and discuss the methods for determining them. The effect of different floating datum corrections was studied using theoretical model experiments, resulting in the conclusion that the velocity obtained after the floating datum correction with the minimum static correction errors depends on the velocity of the layer below the low velocity layer （LVL） lower boundary and is not related to topographic relief and LVL structure. For the real data processing case, wave equation numerical model experiments were conducted which resulted in a new method for calculating objective functions based on the waveform and modifications to the calculation equation for minimum static correction errors to make the method suitable for real data static correction processing using inhomogeneous velocity models with lower velocity boundary relief. Real data processing results demonstrate the method＇s superiority.

Static Corrections Methods in the Processing of Deep Reflection Seismic Data

Statics are big challenges for the processing of deep reflection seismic data. In this paper several different statics solutions have been implemented in the processing of deep reflection seismic data in South China and their corresponding results have been compared in order to find proper statics solutions. Either statics solutions based on tomographic principle or combining the low-frequency components of field statics with the high-frequency ones of refraction statics can provide reasonable statics solutions for deep reflection seismic data in South China with very rugged surface topography, and the two statics solutions can correct the statics anomalies of both long spatial wavelengths and short ones. The surface-consistent residual static corrections can serve as the good compensations to the several kinds of the first statics solutions. Proper statics solutions can improve both qualities and reso- lutions of seismic sections, especially for the reflections of Moho in the upmost mantle.

Improving S/N ratio for pre-stack seismic data from western China

The seismic data from western China is very noisy. Two main reasons are static corrections and low S/N ratio problems. By seismic data processing and study these problems have been effectively solved by iterating the static corrections and improving the S/N ratio for pre-stack seismic data. Suppression and elimination of various other distortions has been implemented as well. Due to the fact that the S/N ratio is improved, the resolution of the seismic data is also improved.

Experiments on excitation and data processing of low-frequency vibroseis in permafrost area of the tibetan plateau

Few seismic exploration work was carried out in Tibetan Plateau due to the characteristics of alpine hypoxia and harsh environmental protection needs.Complex near surface geological conditions,especially the signal shielding and static correction of permafrost make the quality of seismic data is not ideal,the signal to noise ratio(SNR)is low,and deep target horizon imaging is difficult.These data cannot provide high quality information for oil and gas geological survey and structural sedimentary research in the area.To solve the issue of seismic exploration in Tibetan Plateau,this test used low frequency vibroseis wide-line and high-density acquisition scheme.In view of the actual situation of the study area,the terrain,the source and the diff erent observation system were simulated,and the processing technique was adopted to improve the quality of seismic data.Low-frequency components with a minimum of 1.5Hz of vibroseis ensure the deep geological target imaging quality in the area,the seismic profi le wave group is clear,and the SNR is relatively high,which can meet the needs of oil and gas exploration.Seismic data can provide the support for the development of oil and gas survey in the Tibet plateau.

Near-surface model reconstruction using pseudo well-surface simultaneous travel time tomographic inversion

The static correction of a near-surface model may be improved by using travel time tomographic inversion.We discuss unfavorable factors in the inversion of surface seismic waves that have been analyzed by the first break.These factors show that sources and geophones arranged on the surface,or close to the surface,give a first break that only includes the direct wave and the up going wave from the down going to up going transition.These up going waves have weak directivity when they arrive at a geophone and so the rays passing through the grids have small directional differences and a narrow azimuth.Drawing lessons from the advantages of Vertical Seismic Profiling(VSP) acquisition mode we describe a pseudo well-surface simultaneous travel time tomographic inversion of a near-surface model.The well depth should be increased in the surface seismic study to produce a pure up going wave,to enhance the verticality of the rays and to increase the azimuth and shorten path length of the rays.Simulations of the effect of well depth on a pseudo well-surface simultaneous travel time tomographic inversion model are reported.The results show that the static corrections are improved significantly when the well depth extends below the weathered or sub-weathered layers.The root mean square error of the statics is 1.14 or 0.93 ms for these two situations,respectively.

Near-Surface Correction on Seismic and Gravity Data

It is important and urgent to work out better statics correction methods to facilitate seismic prospecting. This paper presents a new method of statics correction calculation based on development of a seismic-gravity model of the near surface. Gravity interpretation includes determination of the local component caused by the near surface effects and calculation of the near-surface rock density by solving the linear inverse gravity problem. To obtain the near-surface velocities, priori seismic data such as time fields of the first waves recorded in the initial part of common depth point（CDP） seismograms are used. An optimal near-surface model is retrieved on the basis of the successive solution of the inverse and forward seismic problems, correlating with the observed seismic data. Matching of seismic and gravity model of the near surface yields the maximum coefficient of correlation between the values of velocities and densities. At the end of the interactive iterative process we get values of the near-surface seismic wave velocities, used for statics evaluation, and values of gravity anomalies, calculated with a variable density of the interbedded layer. The applications of the proposed method at geophysical exploration of oil and gas confirm the possibility of calculation of statics correction using the gravimetric data by constructing a coherent seismic-gravity model of the near surface.

A Layer-Stripping Method for 3D Near-Surface Velocity Model Building Using Seismic First-Arrival Times

In order to improve the efficiency of 3D near-surface velocity model building, we develop a layer-stripping method using seismic first-arrival times. The velocity model within a Common Mid-Point （CMP） gather is assumed to be stratified into thin layers, and the velocity of each layer var- ies linearly with depth. The thickness and velocity of the top layer are estimated using minimum-offset first-arrival data in a CMP gather. Then the top layer is stripped and the second layer becomes a new top layer. After removing the effect of the top layer from the former first-arrival data, the new first-arrival data are obtained and then used to estimate the parameters of the second layer. In this manner, the velocity model, being regarded as that at a CMP location, is built layer-by-layer from the top to the bottom. A 3D near-surface velocity model is then formed using the velocity models at all CMP locations. The tests on synthetic and observed seismic data show that the layer-stripping method can be used to build good near-surface velocity models for static correction, and its computation speed is approximately hundred times faster than that of grid tomography.