Seismic image undersampling — Resolution, visibility, and display

Abstract

GeoQuest International Ltd. authors first developed quantitative seismic criteria for estimating seismic bed thinness — tuning plots and wedge models — more than 40 years ago. Today, more recently developed alternative methods of imaging such as seismic holography can recover much finer seismic resolution. Here, we offer a practical viewpoint to better understand thin and small in seismic terms for differing objectives and applications. We address resolution as in forming seismic images of the subsurface and not as a method for detecting special conditions or features using attributes or other indicators. Seismic holography draws upon the data redundancy inherent in the acquired data. It allows us (within the bounds of data information content, signal to noise, etc.) to choose spatial and time sampling to best address our objectives. Traditional limiting criteria, as developed by Nyquist, and the constraints of acquisition geometry must be applied differently. Sources, receivers, and time samples are appreciated as linked coordinates. We can sample at any spatial or time interval that the data will support and that is consistent with what we seek to accomplish. We could even decimate our data in field practice and lose no relevant information for many objectives. This can save both time and money. We show examples to more fully understand some of the many aspects of the interpretive significance of these findings.