Elastic imaging and time-lapse migration based on adjoint methods

TLDR

These techniques rely on spatial and temporal constructive interference between observed and simulated waveforms to map structural anomalies, and modern numerical methods and computers now enable accurate and efficient simulation of 3D acoustic, elastic, and poroelastic wave propagation. Using a 2D cross section of the SEG/EAGE salt model, we determined how waveform simulations could improve onshore and offshore seismic imaging strategies and capabilities. We linked exploration seismology imaging, adjoint methods, and finite‑frequency tomography, showing that density and impedance sensitivity kernels correspond to imaging principles and that shear‑ and compressional‑wave speed kernels match banana‑doughnut kernels suitable for transmission tomography, with these concepts validated through subsalt time‑lapse migration.

Abstract

We have drawn connections between imaging in exploration seismology, adjoint methods, and emerging finite-frequency tomography. All of these techniques rely on spatial and temporal constructive interference between observed and simulated waveforms to map locations of structural anomalies. Modern numerical methods and computers have facilitated the accurate and efficient simulation of 3D acoustic, (an)elastic, and poroelastic wave propagation. Using a 2D cross section of the SEG/EAGE salt model, we have determined how such waveform simulations might be harnessed to improve onshore and offshore seismic imaging strategies and capabilities. We have found that the density sensitivity kernel in adjoint tomography is related closely to the imaging principle in exploration seismology, and that in elastic modeling the impedance kernel actually is a better diagnostic tool for reflector identification. The shear- and compressional-wave speed sensitivity kernels in adjoint tomography are related closely to finite-frequency banana-doughnut kernels, and these kernels are well suited for mapping larger-scale structure, i.e., for transmission tomography. These ideas have been substantiated by addressing problems in subsalt time-lapse migration.