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Abstract

The virtual source method is becoming a popular technology in VSP data processing for imaging subsurface structures under complex and poorly understood formations. Most virtual source imaging methods currently in use migrate only a single scalar component. VSP data is recorded using three-component (3C) borehole receivers with 3D vector characteristics. Due to both the 3C vector nature and the complexity of wave modes, it is necessary to develop new methods to migrate the full 3C vector wavefield simultaneously. We present a methodology to perform 3C vector migration for virtual source VSP data. First, we redatum each of three components to their virtual receiver positions in a borehole using seismic interferometry. Next we perform a 3C vector Kirchhoff prestack depth migration. The elastic FD modeling suggests that this new vector migration can effectively image steeply dipping structures without the knowledge of the overburden velocity. The image strength and quality is significantly enhanced with the migration of all three components instead of one scalar component alone. A simultaneous 3C migration of the virtual source VSP data also simplifies the VSP pre-processing as it is not necessary to try and maximize the reflection onto a single component prior to migration.

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/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.20148085
2008-06-09
2024-03-29
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http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/papers/10.3997/2214-4609.20148085
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