Event‐consistent smoothing in generalized high‐density velocity analysis

Abstract

High‐density velocity analysis provides more detailed information about the seismic reflection data compared to the conventional approach with smooth stacking velocity models based on selected CMP locations and reflection events. However, the high‐density stacking velocity is subject to fluctuations and outliers complicating its interpretation and further use. The Common‐Reflection‐Surface stack, a generalized multi‐parameter multi‐dimensional high‐density stacking velocity analysis tool, provides an entire set of stacking parameters instead of stacking velocity, only. These stacking parameters easily allow an event‐consistent smoothing based on a combination of median filtering and averaging that removes fluctuations and outliers without loss of information about the parameterized reflection events, even in case of conflicting dip situations. The smoothed stacking parameters not only improve the stack result but also provide a superior basis for subsequent applications like the determination of an interval velocity model.