Improve Subsalt Image with Wide Azimuth Data in the Gulf of Mexico
Since the first wide azimuth (WAZ) dataset was acquired in the Mad Dog area, a large number of WAZ surveys have been shot in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM), generating a significant wave of excitement in the seismic industry. It is generally observed that WAZ data have better sub-surface illumination and enhanced multiple suppression. However, our experiences in processing WAZ data tell us that there are a lot of remaining problems that need to be addressed during the processing phase.First, we still see a lot of illumination holes in WAZ data. Due to complex salt geometry, there are numerous sub-salt regions that have limited illumination from a WAZ dataset. We can minimize such illumination holes by adding narrow azimuth (NAZ) datasets to the processing flow.Second, multiples are a lingering problem. The stacking power of WAZ data is in some cases unable to sufficiently suppress the multiples. Nonetheless, they can be effectively attenuated by WAZ 3D SRME. Third, an accurate salt geometry is still the key to a clear sub-salt image. Even with the sizeable amount of data from a WAZ survey, we could still get a poor image, or even worse, an incorrect image underneath a salt body if the salt geometry is inaccurate. In some cases, we have to try several salt scenarios to determine the right one. This involves iterative migrations and salt interpretations, or iterative imaging. To be effective, iterative imaging requires a fast and robust
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AAPG Search and Discover Article #90100©2009 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition 15-18 November 2009, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil