Seismic processing in the inverse data space

Abstract

Until now, seismic processing has been carried out by applying inverse filters in the forward data space. Because the acquired data of a seismic survey is always discrete, seismic measurements in the forward data space can be arranged conveniently in a data matrix [Formula: see text]. Each column in the data matrix represents one shot record. If we represent seismic data in the temporal frequency domain, then each matrix element consists of a complex-valued number. Considering the dominant role of multiple scattering in seismic data, it is proposed to replace data matrix [Formula: see text] by its inverse [Formula: see text] before starting seismic processing. Making use of the feedback model for seismic data, multiple scattered energy is mapped onto the zero time axis of the inverse data space. The practical consequence of this remarkable property may be significant: multiple elimination in the inverse data space simplifies to removing data at zero time only. Moving to the inverse data space may cause a fundamental change in the way we preprocess and image seismic data.