QBB 4123 Seismic Wave Imaging

In the nutshell, the application of Tesseral Pro for studying the nature of wave propagation is very effective. The model constructed in the modelling can be used for understanding the wave behavior, thus more effective seismic acquisition parameters can be planned in order to obtain good results of the acquired seismic data. Furthermore, migration methods inclusive of pre-stack migration and post-stack migration which have been implemented in order to enhance the accuracy of the seismic data. Migration process basically involves repositioning of the reflection point in the subsurface to its true position whether in time or depth domain. Each of migration method have their own characteristics and advantages as well as disadvantages. The geophysicists need to consider the complexity of the subsurface structure when determining the migration method.

MODULE 3: WORKFLOW MODULE 3: RESULTS & DISCUSSION Generally, migration consists of pre-stack migration and post-stack migration. Post-stack migration involves the process of correcting normal moveout and dip-moveout on a number of traces, then summing the traces together into a single trace before performing the migration. By using this method, a data volume can be migrated in short time interval and inexpensively. This migration-after-stack procedure has proven over the years to be very successful, especially for imaging the areas with moderate structural complexity. However, for the areas with significant lateral velocity variation such as salt dome structure, we need to do migration before stack. This is due to enormous velocity variations make the post-stack preservation of subsalt reflection events almost impossible. Pre-stack migration, in time or depth, also represents the current commonly applied state of the art. However, this kind of migration is time consuming co...

MODULE 2: WORKFLOW MODULE 2: RESULTS & DISCUSSION In acoustic modelling, the model reflects the acoustic impedance properties of layered rock. The acoustic impedance of rock can be obtained by multiplying the compressional wave velocity of the rock and its density. The nature of the compressional wave, P-wave is controlled by a parameter which known as bulk modulus and this modulus deals with the volume change of the medium as the wave travel through it. The impedance contrast at the geological interface determines how much the energy is reflected and transmitted through the layers. The greater the impedance contrast, the greater the wave energy that will be reflected. As shown in Figure 6, the bright colour of amplitude at the top of part of model are due to high acoustic impedance contrast between the layers. The diffraction tail and apex of the diffractions was also observed which might represent the boundary between the salt body and the strata. Furthermore, the wav...

MODULE 1: WORKFLOW MODULE 1: RESULTS & DISCUSSION Figure 1 shows the constructed model with acquisition geometry of one source (center) and receivers of 20m interval while Figure 2 shows the constructed model with acquisition geometry of one source (center) and receivers of 50m interval. The decrease in receiver’s interval causes more receivers to be used, hence increase in cost of acquisition. The maximum offset which is the distance between the actual shot and the farthest receiver for both acquisition is 1200m. By using these geometry, the receivers only record seismic events at the depth less than or equal to 1200m. In order to record the seismic events occurred on geological structure at the deeper depth, the maximum offset should be greater than the depth of the geological target. Figure 1: One source (center) and receivers of 20m interval. Figure 2: One source (center) with receivers of 50m interval. Figure 3 shows the model with acquisition ge...

Seismic imaging is the numerical process of creating the subsurface image from reflections recorded on the surface. The process is essential for correcting the distortion effects caused by diffraction from geologic bed truncations and lateral movement of the energy between the reflection points on dipping beds and the surface locations. In this laboratory assignment, the students, majoring in exploration geophysics are required to use Tesseral Pro software for learning the seismic process such as forward modelling as well as imaging analysis. There are three modules, inclusive of building a subsurface model and creating a wave generator and modelling before carrying out pre-stack and post-stack migration on simple dipping model and salt dome model. Forward modelling is the process of transforming a geological section (1D, 2D or 3D) into a synthetic seismic record by converting the depth and acoustic impedance of the section into travel time and seismic amplitude. This pro...

Tesseral software are used for simple processing and imaging analysis. Tesseral possess full wave seismic modeling capabilities and among the most accurate numerical simulation software available. The software need higher computer specification. Full wave modeling has the advantage as reflected discontinuities and structural elements can be image correctly while at the same time preserve resolution capability of the observation system. Aim of this project assignment is to consequently understand the concept of model building, wave propagation, velocity and migration. Tesseral 2D From full-wave modeling of complex structures to pre-stack depth migration Application allows assigning different seismic acquisition geometries, numerical model building of complex seismic sections and modeling propagation of seismic waves in heterogeneous medium for the scalar, acoustic, elastic and elastic anisotropic wave equations. Algorithms use fast and accurate computational schemebased o...