Kinematical-dynamical transformation for travel times estimation

Depth-velocity model building based on the layer velocity estimation from residual kinematic on migrated gathers is efficient approach. Depth-velocity model building based on the layer velocity estimation from residual kinematic on migrated gathers is efficient approach.

However if we have residual moveout parameters, we can estimate the time of reflected waves and then solve the inverse problem. This approach of reflected waves time estimation was called kinematical-dynamical transformation. Although every pre-stack migration (in offset-domain, common-angle domain etc.) iteration corresponds to their individual direct problem solution, inverse kinematical problem can be unified.

Described approach has following advantages:

  • Depth-velocity model building became faster (especially in 3D case), since only two migration results are required: in a priori approximate model and in final model;
  • Inverse kinematical problem solution approach allows to compute the adequacy criterion of obtained structures.
  • For the case of significantly heterogeneous layers additional layer can be inserted to the model and all computations will be done for new model;
  • Obtained travel times of reflected waves can be used for static correction, multiples modeling, time section computation etc.
  • Processing in case of non-horizontal day-surface is supported.

Also, processing in depth is beneficial and proves it selves.

Example of residual moveouts estimation.
Example of residual moveouts estimation.