Depth registration of P-wave and C-wave seismic data for shallow marine sediment characterization, Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Multicomponent seismic data, combining P-wave and converted P-to-SV wave (C-wave) wavefields, provide independent measurements of rock and fluid properties. Unlike P waves, C waves are minimally affected by changes in pore fluids, and in cases of azimuthal anisotropy, will be split into two modes (fast and slow) with differing polarization. The 4C, 3D ocean-bottom cable (OBC) multicomponent seismic data discussed here were acquired in shallow water (<300 ft) offshore Louisiana over approximately 455 miles2 (Figure 1). Because these data are still being marketed to interested oil and gas operators, only data above targeted oil and gas reservoirs (<5000 ft) were used. The P-wave migrated data extend to only 1 s and the C-wave migrated data volume to only 2 s.