Return to search

Accurate and automatic refraction statics in large 3D seismic dataset

Inversion for refraction statics is a key part of three-dimensional (3D) reflection seismic processing. The present thesis has two primary goals directed toward improvement of refraction statics inversion. First, I attempt to improve the quality of the travel-time data right at the beginning of the processing sequence and before any inversion. Any error in the travel times or geometry caused during acquisition or processing would propagate into the resulting model and may harm the resulting image. To implement rigorous, model-independent data quality control, I view the first-arrival travel times as surfaces in 3D, which allows utilization of the travel-time reciprocity condition to check for errors in geometry and in first-arrival picking.<p>
The second goal of this study is in development of a new inversion approach for refraction statics specifically for 3D seismic datasets. The first-break travel-times are decomposed by using a ô-p parameterization, which allows an automatic derivation of a high-quality initial subsurface model. This model is further improved by using accurate, multi-layer ray-tracing and inversion techniques to obtain accurate refraction statics. An iterative inversion scheme based on the Simultaneous Iterative Reconstruction Technique is utilized, and its performance is measured and discussed. To assess the quality of the inverse and establish the optimal grid sizes, I use several types of resolution tests. Finally, the surface consistent statics is calculated and applied to a real dataset from southern Saskatchewan. A comparison of the resulting statics model with statics calculated by using standard industry software is made, and the statics correction is incorporated in seismic processing.<p>
An overall result of this study is in demonstration that the fully 3D, ô-p based travel-time inversion method works, is applicable to large seismic datasets, and results in detailed shallow subsurface models and reliable statics solutions. Several recommendations for extending and improving the proposed approaches are also made.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:SSU.etd-03172009-135125
Date23 March 2009
CreatorsJhajhria, Atul
ContributorsMorozov, Igor, Merriam, James B., Butler, Samuel L., Ansdell, Kevin M., Russell, Brian
PublisherUniversity of Saskatchewan
Source SetsLibrary and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext
Formatapplication/pdf
Sourcehttp://library.usask.ca/theses/available/etd-03172009-135125/
Rightsunrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Saskatchewan or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report.

Page generated in 0.0022 seconds