Object-oriented algorithm for the extraction of diffracted/scattered waves in the data domain

Abstract

Diffracted and scattered waves are used to construct diffraction images and enhance seismic interpretation. This paper presents an efficient object-oriented algorithm for detecting and enhancing scattered waves in the seismic data domain, enabling to solve challenging problem i.e. the generation of high-quality diffraction images based on scattered wave energy. Scattered waves are detected through coherent summation over sufficiently large apertures, while excess reflected events are suppressed. A key innovation of the algorithm is its method for determining the kinematic parameters of scattered waves, it calculates the hodographs of scattered waves within a pre-constructed velocity model for the specific target area where diffraction images are to be generated. For the data summation using stage two approaches are implemented: the first is based on weights derived from semblance analysis; the second employs an operator-oriented summation approach. Tests on simple methodological data and realistic data for a fractured model from Eastern Siberia demonstrate that the operator-oriented approach effectively enhances the amplitudes of scattered waves originating in the target domain while providing an accurate enough approximation of these waves. Application of the algorithm to real data shows that it produces diffraction images with a higher signal-to-noise ratio and image focusing compared to conventional methods.