INTRODUCTION

Processing of Seismic Data Inversion of Seismic Data Interpretation of Seismic Data

From Seismic Exploration to Seismic Monitoring

The Classical Greeks had a love for wisdom

It came down to us as philosophia.
And I have a passion for the seismic method
Let this be an ode to philoseismos.
O how sweet it is
Listening to the echos from the earth.

The seismic method has three principal applications:

(a) Delineation of near-surface geology for engineering
studies, and coal and mineral exploration within a
depth of up to 1 km: The seismic method applied
to the near-surface studies is known as engineering
seismology.
(b) Hydrocarbon exploration and development within
a depth of up to 10 km: The seismic method applied
to the exploration and development of oil and gas
elds is known as exploration seismology.
(c) Investigation of the earths crustal structure within
a depth of up to 100 km: The seismic method
applied to the crustal and earthquake studies is
known as earthquake seismology.
This book is devoted to application of the reection
seismic method to the exploration and development of
oil and gas elds.
Conventional processing of reection seismic data
yields an earth image represented by a seismic section
which usually is displayed in time. Figure I-1 shows a
seismic section from the Gulf of Mexico, nearly 40 km

in length. Approximate depth scale indicates a sedimentary section of interbedded sands and shales down to 8
km. Note from this earth image a salt sill embedded
in the sedimentary sequence. This allocthonous salt sill
has a rugose top and a relatively smooth base. Note the
folding and faulting of the sedimentary section above
the salt.
The reection seismic method has been used to delineate near-surface geology for the purpose of coal and
mineral exploration and engineering studies, especially
in recent years with increasing acceptance. Figure I-2a
shows a seismic section along a 500-m traverse across
a bedrock valley with steep anks. The lithologic column based on borehole data indicates a sedimentary
sequence of clay, sand, and gravel deposited within the
valley. The bedrock is approximately 15 m below the
surface at the fringes of the valley and 65 m below the
surface at the bottom of the valley. The strong reection at the sediment-bedrock boundary is a result of the
contrast between the low-velocity sediments above and
the high-velocity Precambrian quartz pegmatite below.
The reection seismic method also has been used
to delineate the crustal structure down to the Moho

Seismic Data Analysis

Introduction

FIG. I-2. (a) A shallow reection seismic section from Ontario (Pullan and Hunter, 1990), and (b) a deep reection seismic
section from southeast Turkey (Yilmaz, 1976).

Seismic Data Analysis

discontinuity and below. Figure I-2b shows a seismic

section recorded on land along a 15-km traverse. Based
on regional control, it is known that the section consists
of sediments down to about 4 km. The reection event
at 6.5-7 s, which corresponds to a depth range of 15-20
km, can be postulated as the crystalline basement. The
group of reections between 8-10 s, which corresponds
to a depth range of 25-35 km, represents a transition
zone in the lower crust most likely, the Moho discontinuity, itself.
Common-midpoint (CMP) recording is the most
widely used seismic data acquisition technique. By providing redundancy, measured as the fold of coverage
in the seismic experiment, it improves signal quality.
Figure I-3 shows seismic data collected along the same
traverse in 1965 with single-fold coverage and in 1995
with twelve-fold coverage. These two dierent vintages
of data have been subjected to dierent treatments in
processing; nevertheless, the fold of coverage has caused
the most dierence in the signal level of the nal sections.
Seismic data processing strategies and results are
strongly aected by eld acquisition parameters. Additionally, surface conditions have a signicant impact
on the quality of data collected in the eld. Part of
the seismic section shown in Figure I-4 between midpoints A and B is over an area covered with karstic limestone. Note the continuous reections between 2 and 3
s outside the limestone-covered zone. These reections
abruptly disappear under the problem zone in the middle. The lack of events is not the result of a subsurface
void of reectors. Rather, it is caused by a low signal-tonoise (S/N) ratio resulting from energy scattering and
absorption in the highly porous surface limestone.
Surface conditions also have an inuence on how
much energy from a given source type can penetrate
into the subsurface. Figure I-5 shows a seismic section along a traverse over a karstic topography with a
highly weathered near-surface. In data acquisition, surface charges have been used to the right of midpoint A,
and charges have been placed in holes to the left of midpoint A. In the absence of source coupling using surface
charges, there is very little energy that can penetrate
into the subsurface through the weathered near-surface
layer. As a result, note the lack of coherent reections to
the right of midpoint A. On the other hand, improved
source coupling using downhole charges has resulted in
better penetration of the energy into the subsurface in
the remainder of the section.
Besides surface conditions, environmental and demographic restrictions can have a signicant impact on
eld data quality. The part of the seismic section shown
in Figure I-6 between midpoints A and B is through a
village. In the village, the vibroseis source was not operated with full power. Hence, not enough energy penetrated into the earth. Although surface conditions were

similar along the entire line, the risk of property damage resulted in poor signal quality in the middle portion
of the line.
Other factors, such as weather conditions, care
taken during recording, and the condition of the recording equipment, also inuence data quality. Almost always, seismic data are collected often in less-than-ideal
conditions. Hence, we can only hope to attenuate the
noise and enhance the signal in processing to the extent
allowed by the quality of the data acquisition.
In addition to eld acquisition parameters, seismic
data processing results also depend on the techniques
used in processing. A conventional processing sequence
almost always includes the three principal processes
deconvolution, CMP stacking, and migration.

Processing of Seismic data

We begin with a review of the fundamentals of digital
signal processing in Chapter 1. Seismic data recorded
in digital form by each channel of the recording instrument are represented by a time series. Processing algorithms are designed for and applied to either singlechannel time series, individually, or multichannel time
series. The Fourier transform constitutes the foundation of much of the digital signal processing applied to
seismic data. Aside from sections on the one- and twodimensional Fourier transforms and their applications,
Chapter 1 also includes a section on a worldwide assortment of recorded seismic data. By referring to the
eld data examples, we examine characteristics of the
seismic signal primary reections from layer boundaries and random and coherent noise such as multiple
reections, reverberations, linear noise associated with
guided waves and point scatterers. Chapter 1 concludes
with a section on the basic processing sequence and
guidelines for quality control in processing.
The next three chapters are devoted to the three
principal processes deconvolution, CMP stacking,
and migration. We study deconvolution in Chapter 2.
Deconvolution often improves temporal resolution by
collapsing the seismic wavelet to approximately a spike
and suppressing reverberations on some eld data (Figure I-7). The problem with deconvolution is that the
accuracy of its output may not always be self-evident
unless it can be compared with well data. The main
reason for this is that our model for deconvolution is
nondeterministic in character.
We study the second principal process, CMP stacking, in Chapter 3 with the accompanying subjects on
velocity analysis, normal-moveout (NMO), and statics

Introduction

FIG. I-3. (a) A single-fold section obtained in 1965, and (b) a twelve-fold section obtained in 1995 along the same line
traverse. (Data courtesy Turkish Petroleum Corp.)

Seismic Data Analysis

FIG. I-4. The poor signal between midpoints A and B on this seismic section is caused by a karstic limestone on the surface.

FIG. I-5. The lack of coherent reections to the right of midpoint A on this seismic section results from the surface charges
used during recording. By using charges placed in holes below the karstic limestone in the near surface, signal penetration
has been improved to the left of midpoint A.)

Introduction

FIG. I-6. A village is situated between midpoints A and B. The poor signal in that zone of the seismic section is caused by
operating the vibroseis source at low power.

corrections. Common-midpoint stacking is the most robust of the three principal processes. By using redundancy in CMP recording, stacking can attenuate uncorrelated noise signicantly, thereby increasing the S/N
ratio (Figure I-3). It also can attenuate a large part of
the coherent noise in the data, such as guided waves
and multiples.
The normal moveout (NMO) correction before
stacking is done using the primary velocity function.
Because multiples have larger moveout than primaries,
they are undercorrected and, hence, attenuated during
stacking (Figure I-8).
The main problem with CMP stacking is that it is
based on the hyperbolic moveout assumption. Although
it may be violated in areas with severe structural complexities, seismic data acquired in many parts of the
world seem to satisfy this assumption reasonably well.
Data acquired on land must be corrected for elevation dierences at shot and receiver locations and traveltime distortions caused by a near-surface weathering
layer. The corrections usually are in the form of vertical
traveltime shifts to a at datum level (statics corrections). Because of uncertainties in near-surface model
estimation, there always remains some residual statics
which need to be removed from data before stacking
(Figure I-9).

Finally, we study the third principal process, migration, in Chapter 4. Migration collapses diractions
and moves dipping events to their supposedly true subsurface locations (Figure I-10). In other words, migration is an imaging process. Because it is based on the
wave equation, migration also is a deterministic process. The migration output often is self-evident you
can tell whether the output is migrated properly. When
the output is not self-evident, this uncertainty often can
be traced to the imprecision of the velocity information
available for input to the migration program. Other factors that inuence migration results include type of input data two-dimensional (2-D) or three-dimensional
(3-D), migration strategies time or depth, post- or
prestack, and algorithms and associated parameters.
Two-dimensional migration does not correctly position
events with 3-D orientation in the subsurface. Note the
accurate imaging of the erosional unconformity (event
A) in Figure I-10. However, this event is intercepted by
event B which is most likely associated with the same
unconformity, only that it is out-of-the-plane of recording along the line traverse.
Events with conicting dips require an additional
step dip-moveout (DMO) correction, prior to CMP
stacking (Figure I-11). Dip-moveout correction is the

Seismic Data Analysis

FIG. I-7. A seismic section without (top) and with (bottom) deconvolution. Note the improved vertical resolution on the
deconvolved section as a result of wavelet compression and removal of reverberations. (Data courtesy Enterprise Oil.)

subject for Chapter 5. Conicting dips with dierent

stacking velocities often are associated with fault blocks
and salt anks. Specically, the moveout associated
with steeply dipping fault-plane reections or reections o a salt ank is in conict with the moveout
associated with reections from gently dipping strata.
Following NMO correction, DMO correction is applied
to data so as to preserve events with conicting dips
during stacking. Migration of a DMO stack then yields
an improved image of fault blocks (Figure I-11) and salt
anks (Figure I-1).
The rigorous solution to the problem of conicting
dips with dierent stacking velocities is migration before stack. Because this topic is closely related to DMO
correction, it also is covered in Chapter 5.
We study in Chapter 6 various techniques for attenuating random noise, coherent noise, and multiple
reections. Techniques to attenuate random noise ex-

ploit part of the signal uncorrelated from trace to trace.

Techniques to attenuate coherent linear noise exploit
the linearity in the frequency-wavenumber and slantstack domains. Finally, techniques to attenuate multiples exploit their periodicity in the common-midpoint,
slant-stack and velocity-stack domains. Multiples also
can be attenuated by using techniques that exploit the
velocity discrimination between primaries and multiples
in the same domains.
After reviewing the fundamentals of signal processing (Chapter 1), studying the three principal processes
deconvolution (Chapter 2), CMP stacking (Chapter 3) and migration (Chapter 4), and reviewing dipmoveout correction (Chapter 5) and the noise and multiple attenuation techniques (Chapter 6), we then move
on to processing of 3-D seismic data in Chapter 7. The
principal objective for 3-D seismic exploration is to obtain an earth image in three dimensions. Clearly, all

Introduction

FIG. I-8. Three CMP gathers before (left) and after (right) NMO correction. Note that the primaries have been attened
and the multiples have been undercorrected after NMO correction. As a result, multiple energy has been attenuated on the
stacked section (center) relative to primary energy. (Data courtesy Petro-Canada Resources.)

of the 2-D processing techniques covered in Chapters 1

through 6 are either directly applicable to 3-D seismic
data or need to be extended to the third dimension,
such as migration and dip-moveout correction.
There is a fundamental problem with seismic data
processing. Even when starting with the same raw data,
the result of processing by one organization seems to
be dierent from that of another organization. The example shown in Figure I-12 demonstrates this problem.
The same data have been processed by six dierent contractors. Note the signicant dierences in frequency
content, S/N ratio, and degree of structural continuity from one section to another. These dierences often
stem from dierences in the choice of parameters and
the detailed aspects of implementation of processing algorithms. For example, all the contractors have applied
residual statics corrections in generating the sections
in Figure I-12. However, the programs each contractor
has used to estimate residual statics most likely dier
in the handling of the correlation window, selecting the
traces used for crosscorrelation with the pilot trace, and
statistically treating the correlation peaks.

One other aspect of seismic data processing is the

generation of artifacts while trying to enhance signal.
A good seismic data analysis program not only performs the task for which it is written, but also generates
minimum numerical artifacts. One of the features that
makes a production program dierent from a research
program, which is aimed at testing whether the idea
works or not, is renement of the algorithm in the production program to minimize artifacts. Processing can
be hazardous if artifacts overpower the intended action
of the program.
The ability of the seismic data analyst invariably
is as important as the eectiveness of the algorithms in
determining the quality of the nal product from data
processing. There are many examples of good processing using mediocre software. There are also examples
of poor processing using good software. The example
shown in Figure I-12 rigorously demonstrates how implementational dierences in processing algorithms and
dierences in the analysts skills can inuence results of
processing.

10

Seismic Data Analysis

FIG. I-9. A portion of a CMP-stacked section (a) before, and (b) after residual statics corrections. Note the removal of
traveltime distortions caused by the near-surface layer and improvement in the continuity of events after residual statics
corrections.

Inversion of Seismic data

A narrow meaning of seismic inversion commonly referred to as trace inversion, is acoustic impedance estimation from a broad-band time-migrated CMP-stacked
data. A broad meaning of seismic inversion commonly referred to as elastic inversion, is the grand
scheme of estimating elastic parameters directly from
observed data. Nevertheless, in practice, applications of
inversion methods can be grouped in two categories
data modeling and earth modeling. Much of what we
do in seismic data processing described in Chapters 1
through 7 is based on data modeling.
Applications of seismic inversion for data modeling include deconvolution (Chapter 2), refraction and
residual statics corrections (Chapter 3) and the discrete Radon transform (Chapter 6). The discrete Radon
transform is an excellent example to demonstrate the

benets of data modeling in seismic data processing.

Consider a 2-D operator LT that corresponds to moveout correction to a CMP gather using a range of constant velocities and summing the trace amplitudes along
the oset axis. (T stands for matrix transpose.) As
a result, the data represented by the CMP gather is
transformed from the oset space (oset versus twoway traveltime) to velocity space (velocity versus twoway zero-oset time). The gather in the output domain
is called the velocity stack. The stack amplitudes on
the velocity-stack gather exhibit smearing along the velocity axis. This is caused by discrete sampling along
the oset axis and nite cable length. The operator LT
alone does not account for these eects. Instead, we
must use its generalized linear inverse (LT L)1 LT . Application of the operator LT is within the framework of
conventional processing, whereas application of the operator (LT L)1 LT is within the framework of seismic

Introduction

11

FIG. I-10. A portion of a CMP-stacked section before (top) and after (bottom) migration. Note the accurate imaging of
the erosional unconformity (A). Nevertheless, the out-of-the-plane event (B) associated with this unconformity can only be
imaged accurately by 3-D migration.

12

Seismic Data Analysis

FIG. I-11. A portion of a CMP-stacked section, which has been corrected for dip moveout, before (top) and after (bottom)
migration. Dip-moveout correction preserves diractions and fault-plane reections which conict with gently-dipping reections. These conicting events are otherwise attenuated by conventional stacking. (Data courtesy Schlumberger Geco-Prakla
and TGS.)

Introduction

13

FIG. I-12. A seismic line processed by six dierent contractors. (Data courtesy British Petroleum Development, Ltd.;
Carless Exploration Ltd.; Clyde Petroleum Plc.; Goal Petroleum Plc.; Premier Consolidated Oilelds Plc.; and Tricentrol Oil
Corporation Ltd.)

14

Seismic Data Analysis

inversion. The CMP gather can be reconstructed by applying inverse moveout correction and summing over
the velocity axis. This inverse transformation is represented by the operator L. Reconstruction of the CMP
gather from the velocity-stack gather is one example
of data modeling. Data modeling using the velocitystack gather computed by the processing operator LT
does not faithfully restore the amplitudes of the original
CMP gather, whereas data modeling using the inversion
operator (LT L)1 LT does.
Just as there is a dierence between processing and
inversion in data modeling, also, there exists a dierence between processing and inversion in earth modeling. The primary objective in processing is to obtain
an earth model in time with an accompanying earth
image in time a time-migrated section or volume of
data (Figure I-13). Representation of an earth model
in time usually is in the form of a velocity eld, which
has to be smoothly varying both in time and space.
Whereas the primary objective in inversion is to obtain
an earth model in depth with an accompanying earth
image in depth a depth-migrated section or volume
of data (Figure I-14). Representation of an earth model
in depth usually is in the form of a detailed velocitydepth model, which can include layer boundaries with
velocity contrast (Figure I-14).
Chapters 8 and 9 are devoted to earth imaging
and modeling in depth, respectively. Results of conventional processing of seismic data often are displayed in
the form of an unmigrated (Figure I-15a) and migrated
CMP-stacked section (Figure I-15b), with the vertical
axis as time, which is dierent from the recording time
of seismic waveelds. For unmigrated data, the vertical axis of the CMP-stacked section represents times of
reection events in the unmigrated position in the subsurface. These event times are associated with normalincidence raypaths from coincident source-receiver locations at the surface to reectors in the subsurface
and back. For migrated data, the vertical axis represents times of reection events in the migrated position.
These event times are associated with vertical-incidence
raypaths from coincident source-receiver locations at
the surface to reectors in the subsurface and back. As
long as there are no lateral velocity variations, seismic
imaging of the subsurface can be achieved using time
migration techniques and the result can be displayed in
time. This time-migrated section can then be converted
to depth along vertical raypaths.
When there are mild to moderate lateral velocity
variations, time migration can still yield a reasonably
accurate image of the subsurface. Nevertheless, depth
conversion must be done along image rays to accommodate for the lateral mispositioning of the events as a
result of time migration.
In the presence of strong to severe lateral velocity
variations, however, time migration no longer is valid.

Instead, seismic imaging of the subsurface must be done

using depth migration techniques so as to properly account for lateral velocity variations and the result must
be displayed in depth.
The depth-migrated section (Figure I-15c) can be
considered a close representation of the structural crosssection of the subsurface only if the velocity-depth
model is suciently accurate. In the example shown
in Figure I-15, the picked horizons correspond to layer
boundaries with signicant velocity contrast. The zone
of interest is base Zechstein (the red horizon) and the
underlying Carboniferous sequence. The green horizon
just below 2 km is the top Zechstein. This formation
consists of two units of anhydrite-dolomite with a thickness of approximately 100 m the shallow unit very
close to top-Zechstein and concordant with it, and the
deeper unit which manifests itself with a very complex
geometry as seen in the migrated sections.
An earth model in depth usually is described by
two sets of parameters layer velocities and reector
geometries (Figure I-16). Practical methods to delineate reector geometries described in Chapter 8, and
to estimate layer velocities described in Chapter 9 can
be appropriately combined to construct earth models in
depth from seismic data.
In practice, smoothness of earth models derived
from processing means that we can make a straightray assumption and usually do not have to honor ray
bending at layer boundaries. In contrast, detailed definition of earth models derived from inversion with a
more stringent requirement in accuracy means that we
do have to honor ray bending at layer boundaries and
account for vertical and lateral velocity gradients within
the layers themselves. Hence, to a large extent, processing can be automated, while inversion requires interpretive pause at each layer boundary.
There is a fundamental problem with inversion applied to earth modeling in depth velocity-depth ambiguity. This means that an error in depth is indistinguishable from an error velocity. To resolve velocitydepth ambiguity as much as possible, one needs to do
an independent estimate of layer velocities and reector
geometries using prestack data. As a result of velocitydepth ambiguity, an output from inversion is an estimated velocity-depth model with a measure of uncertainty in layer velocities and reector geometries. It is
now widely accepted in the industry that results of inversion are geologically plausable only when there is a
sound interpretation eort put into the data analysis.
It is the limited accuracy in velocity estimation
that has led to the acceptance of time sections to be
the standard mode of display in seismic exploration.
Facing the challenge of improving the accuracy in velocity estimation should make the depth sections increasingly more acceptable. Specically, improving the
accuracy means the ability to resolve detailed velocity

Introduction

15

FIG. I-13. An earth image in time obtained by poststack time migration of a CMP-stacked section with the color-coded
earth model in time represented by a velocity eld.

FIG. I-14. An earth image in depth obtained by prestack depth migration with the color-coded earth model in depth
represented by a velocity-depth model.

16

Seismic Data Analysis

FIG. I-15. (a) A cross-section from an unmigrated volume of CMP-stacked data; (b) the same cross-section after 3-D
poststack time migration; and (c) after 3-D poststack depth migration. See text for details. (Data courtesy Amoco Production
(UK) Ltd.)

Introduction

17

FIG. I-16. An earth model in depth is described by two sets of parameters (a) layer velocities, and (b) reector geometries.

18

Seismic Data Analysis

variations in the vertical and lateral directions, associated with both structural and stratigraphic targets.
Earth modeling in depth usually involves implementation of an inversion procedure layer by layer starting from the top (Figure I-17). First, estimate a velocity eld (the color-coded surface and the vertical crosssection) for the rst layer, for instance, using 3-D coherency inversion. Then delineate the reector geometry (the silver surface) associated with the base of the
layer, for instance, using 3-D poststack depth migration (Figure I-17a). Next, estimate a velocity eld for
the second layer and delineate the reector geometry
associated with the base of the layer (Figure I-17b). Alternate between layer velocity estimation and reector
geometry delineation, one layer at a time, to complete
the construction of the earth model in depth (Figure
I-17c). This layer-by-layer, structure-dependent estimation of earth models in depth is needed when there are
distinct layer boundaries with signicant velocity contrast (as in many parts of the North Sea). In practice,
an iterative, structure-independent estimation of earth
models in depth also is used in the case of a background
velocity eld with not-so-distinct layer boundaries (as
in the Gulf of Mexico).
Practical methods of layer velocity estimation include Dix conversion and inversion of stacking velocities, coherency inversion, and analysis of image gathers from prestack depth migration (Chapter 9). Velocity nodes at analysis locations for the layer under consideration (Figure I-18a) are assigned to the normalincidence reection points over the surface associated
with the base of the layer (Figure I-18b). A velocity
eld for the layer is then created by spatial interpolation of the velocity nodes. This layer velocity eld is
assigned to the layer together with a similar eld for a
vertical velocity gradient whenever it is available from
well data.
Practical methods of reector geometry delineation
include vertical-ray and image-ray depth conversion
of time horizons interpreted from time-migrated data,
commonly known as vertical stretch and map migration, respectively. Additionally, reector geometries in
depth can be delineated by interpreting post- and
prestack depth-migrated data. By interpreting crosssections from the volume of depth-migrated data at appropriate intervals, horizon strands are created (Figure
I-19a). These strands then are interpolated spatially to
create the surface that represents the reector geometry associated with the layer boundary included in the
earth model in depth (Figure I-19b).
In Chapter 10, we present case studies for 2- and
3-D earth modeling and imaging in depth applicable to
structural plays. These cases involve exploration and development objectives that require solving specic problems such as imaging beneath diapiric structures associated with salt tectonics, imaging beneath imbricate

structures associated with overthrust tectonics, target

reectors below an irregular water-bottom topography,
fault shadows, and shallow velocity anomalies.
A concise, but suciently rigorous, review of seismic wave propagation is given in Chapter 11. This also
is intended to remind the reader of the two components
of observed seismic data that can be used in inversion
traveltimes and amplitudes, to estimate the earth
parameters. It is generally favorable to do the inversion of reection traveltimes and amplitudes separately.
The former is more robust and stable in the presence of
noise. The latter is more sensitive to ambient noise and
is prone to producing unstable solutions, and therefore,
it may require more stringent constraints.
In Chapter 11, we review inversion of amplitudes
of acoustic waveelds, specically, prestack amplitude
inversion to derive the attributes associated with amplitude variation with oset (AVO) and poststack amplitude inversion to estimate an acoustic impedance (AI)
model of the earth. We broadly associate traveltime inversion with the estimation of a structural model of
a reservoir that describes the geometry of the layer
boundaries and faults. Whereas, we broadly associate
amplitude inversion with the estimation of a stratigraphic model of the reservoir that describes the lateral
and vertical variations of the AVO and AI attributes
within the layers themselves. The latter can then be
transcribed into petrophysical parameters pore pressure, porosity, permeability, and uid saturation, and it
combined with the structural model to create a model
of the reservoir. Therefore, seismic inversion is a true
pronouncement of integration between petroleum geology, petroleum engineering, and exploration seismology. Only the exploration seismologists timespeak, while
the peroleum geologists and engineers depthspeak. To
achieve integration, they all must be uent in the same
language depthspeak.

Interpretation of Seismic data

When you pick semblance peaks from a velocity spectrum (Section 3.2) to determine the moveout velocity
function, you implicitly make a judgment as to what
is primary and what is multiple. When you pick a coherency semblance spectrum (Section 9.2) to determine
the interval velocity prole, you make a judgment as
to what degree of lateral velocity variations needs to
be honored. These are but two examples of interpretive work involved in processing and inversion of seismic
data, respectively.
What is known as traditional seismic interpreta-

Introduction

FIG. I-17. Layer-by-layer estimation of an earth model in depth. See text for details.

19

20

Seismic Data Analysis

FIG. I-18. Estimated velocities for a layer represented by the color-coded velocity nodes (top) and the velocity eld derived
from the nodes (bottom).

Introduction

21

FIG. I-19. Reector geometry delineation: (top) depth horizon strands created by interpreting selected cross-sections (displayed is one such section) from the depth-migrated volume of data, and (bottom) the surface that represents the reector
boundary created by spatial interpolation of the strands.

22

Seismic Data Analysis

tion, however, involves picking a reection time surface associated with a layer boundary from a timemigrated volume of data or a reector from a depthmigrated volume of data to determine the structure map
for that layer boundary (Figure I-19). The power of
3-D visualization of image volumes, velocity volumes,
and attribute volumes, such as those associated with
AVO analysis and acoustic impedance estimation, have
dramatically changed the way seismic interpretation is
done now. Interperetation no longer is picking traveltimes to determine the structural geology of the area of
interest, but also involves manipulation of amplitudes
contained in the data volumes to derive information
about the depositional environment, depositional sequence boundaries, and the internal constitution of the
sequence units themselves. Interpretation of 3-D seismic
data is covered in Section 7.5, while further examples
are provided with the case studies in Sections 10.8 and
10.9.

From Seismic Exploration

to Seismic Monitoring
The seismic industry has been impressively dynamic
and creative during its 60-year history. Although it is
relatively a small sector within the oil and gas industry
at large, it has made the most signicant impact on increasing proven reserves and reserve-production ratios
worldwide.
We shall now sketch a brief historiography of the
seismic industry before we look ahead. The evolution of
the seismic industry can be described briey in decades
of development and forward leaps from one theme to
another as outlined in Table I-1.
In the 1960s, the digital revolution profoundly
changed seismic acquisition. We were then able to
record more data by increasing the number of channels and fold of coverage. The digital revolution brought
about the need to use digital computers to analyze the
recorded data. That came about in the 1970s when we
switched from calculators to computers. Many of the
data processing algorithms, including deconvolution,
Table I-1. The milestones in the seismic industry.
1960s
1970s
1980s
1990s
2000s

From
From
From
From
From
From
From

analog to digital
calculators to computers
2-D to 3-D
time to depth
3-D to 4-D
4-D to 4-C
isotropy to anisotropy

velocity analysis, refraction, and residual statics corrections, normal-moveout corection and stacking, and even
migration, were implemented in those years. The computer before the seventies was a person using the calculator; now the computer is a machine and the person
became the seismic analyst.
In the 1980s, the seismic industry took another big
step forward; it was now beginning to provide the oil
and gas industry with 3-D images of the subsurface.We
need only to examine the global reserve-production
curves over the past decades to see that the 3-D revolution gave a big jump from 35 to 45 years for oil and
from 50 to 65 years for gas. The seismic industry was already pushing the computer industry to the limit with
its need for power to handle large-scale data volumes
acquired by 3-D surveys.
Finally, in the 1990s, the seismic industry was capable of providing the oil and gas industry with images
of the subsurface, not just in 3-D, but also in depth. It
took years of exhaustive experimental research to test
and eld-prove numerous methods to accurately estimate an earth model in depth and use it to eciently
create an earth image in depth. Once again, the seismic industry has challenged the computer industry to
provide cost-eective solutions for numerically intensive
applications with large input-output operations, such as
3-D prestack depth migration.
As the seismic industry made one breakthrough after another during its history, it also created new challenges for itself. Now we record not just P -waves but
also converted S-waves for a wide range of objectives.
Using the multicomponent seismic method, commonly
known as the 4-C seismic method, we are now able to see
through gas plumes caused by the reservoir below. We
are able to sometimes better image the subsalt and subbasalt targets with the 4-C seismic method. Using the
converted S-waves, we are able to detect the oil-water
contact, and the top or base of the reservoir unit that
we sometimes could not delineate using only P -waves.
We even go further now and attempt to identify uid
types in reservoir rocks, discriminate sand from shale,
and map hydrocarbon saturation, again using the 4-C
seismic method. Our ultimate objective is to use the
seismic method, in addition to the production and geologic data, to characterize oil and gas reservoirs accurately.
Just as we may characterize oil and gas reservoirs seismically, we may also seismically monitor them.
Given a set of time-lapse 3-D seismic survey data, which
constitutes the basis of the 4-D seismic method, we can
track ow paths and uid distribution in the reservoirs
throughout their lifetime. And nally, we have to acknowledge that the earth is anisotropic. By accounting

Introduction
for anisotropy, we can map fractures and increase the
accuracy of velocity esitmation and imaging techniques.
Accompanying all of these new frontiers for the
seismic industry is the availability of a dazzling 3-D
visualization technology that now enables us to perform volume-based processing (Section 5.4) and inversion and interpretation (Sections 10.8 and 10.9). Keep
the following principle in mind when analyzing large
volumes of data: Before you get more data, get the most
out of your data.
The topics on the 4-D and 4-C seismic methods,
and anisotropy discussed in Chapter 11 are for the road
immediately ahead in the seismic industry with the aim
of a rigorous, seismically driven reservoir characterization and monitoring.

23

REFERENCES
Pullan, S. E. and Hunter, J. A., 1990, Delineation
of buried bedrock valleys using the optimum oset shallow reection technique, in Ward, S. H., Ed., Geotechnical and environmental geophysics, Vol. III: Soc. Expl.
Geophys., 75-87.
Yilmaz, O., 1976, A Short Note on Deep Seismic
Sounding in Turkey: J. Geophys. Soc. of Turkey, 3, 5458.