Earth-model building from shallow to deep with full-waveform inversion

Abstract

Full-waveform inversion (FWI) is a high-resolution model-building technique that uses the entire recorded seismic data content to build the earth model. Conventional FWI usually utilizes diving and refracted waves to update the low-wavenumber/background components of the model; however, the update is often depth limited due to the limited offset range acquired. To extend conventional FWI beyond the limits of the transmitted energy, we must use reflection data. Synthetic and field data examples demonstrate that, even in a complex subsalt Gulf of Mexico setting, the background velocity model can be updated from shallow to deep water using conventional FWI followed by reflection-based FWI. A future refinement of the technique shows that, after updating the sediment model, the salt boundaries can be further updated by level-set technology.