LONG WAVELENGTH STATIC ESTIMATION

Abstract

Estimation and removal of near‐surface effects in common‐depth‐point (CDP) data have been frequently discussed in the literature. A common problem with many automated statics techniques is their inability to extract statics whose spatial wavelengths are longer than a spread length. This, of course, can result in false structural anomalies. This paper describes an approach which extends the useful static estimation bandwidth to wavelengths of the order of 4 to 8 spread lengths. Traveltimes from one or more reflecting horizons are picked at each depth point and CDP offset. The time profiles are then decomposed into source static, receiver static, structure, and residual normal moveout (RNMO) estimates, and the process is iterated if required. A suite of analytical displays provides the user with direct QC measures of the traveltime picking performance. The technique will be demonstrated on model data to illustrate the theoretical performance over slowly changing near‐surface weathering anomalies. In addition, field examples will be shown from the Mackenzie Delta where permafrost variability in the near‐surface can create large traveltime anomalies.