A strategy for computing seismic attributes on depth-migrated data using time-shift gathers

Abstract

Assumptions made during postprocessing can be as important as those made during migration. Prestack depth migration (PSDM) is often used due to its ability to handle lateral velocity variations and dipping events. However, most postprocessing flows still use a simple 1D “depth-to-time” vertical stretch, violating the very assumptions that led us to use PSDM. Postprocessing workflows based on time-shift depth image gathers allow for postprocessing flows that make no further approximations other than those made in migration. For cases in which time-shift gathers are not computed during migration, they can be approximated by use of the “exploding-reflector” model or through an orthogonal shift and interpolation method.