From removing to using multiples in closed-loop imaging

Abstract

In seismic exploration, multiple reflections traditionally have been labeled as unwanted signal, and a huge effort has been made to remove them. Despite great advancements, proper removal of multiple reflections is still not fully achievable. Especially in the last decade, the industry has started to realize that the large part of reflection energy that is “lost” in multiple reflections might not be wasted after all. Traditional multiple removal must be replaced by a closed-loop imaging process that uses all surface and internal multiple scattering in the data to illuminate our reflectors from both above and below.