==== Research ==== == Automatic velocity analysis with reverse-time migration == We apply a wave equation migration velocity analysis method to automatically estimate the background velocities using reverse-time migration. The method uses a combination of differential semblance and similarity-index (a.k.a., “semblance” or “stacking-power”) to measure the focusing error in imaging and a nonlinear optimization procedure to obtain the background velocities. A challenge in this procedure is that, for media consisting of complex and strongly refracting velocities, artifacts in the reverse-time migrated image (low-frequency noise) can cause the velocity analysis to diverge. We successfully overcome this issue by applying a simple vertical derivative filter to the image that is input to velocity analysis. {{ ::fig06_rtmva.png?700 |}} **Read more:** {{:arntsen2013.pdf|PDF}}, [[http://library.seg.org/doi/abs/10.1190/geo2012-0064.1|link]]. == Anisotropic migration velocity analysis using reverse-time migration == In this paper, we extend wave equation migration velocity analysis to deal with a 2D TTI model of the subsurface and test it on synthetic and field surface seismic data. To account for anisotropy in the kinematics of wave propagation, we use a density-normalized elastic wave equation that is stable and accurately propagates waves at all angles, which is important for the estimation of anisotropic parameters. We use WEMVA to simultaneously estimate VP0 , ε, and δ. The parameter V S0 is assumed to have a negligible influence on P-wave propagation and is chosen arbitrarily. In addition, θ is assumed to conform to the geology and is estimated from the structure of the reflectors in the migrated image. {{ ::fig11_eamva.png?500 |}} **Read more:** {{:weibull2014.pdf|PDF}}, [[http://library.seg.org/doi/abs/10.1190/geo2013-0108.1|link]]. == Reverse-time demigration using the extended-imaging condition == Most classical seismic data processing methods in the data domain are based on simplified assumptions about the subsurface structure, such as horizontal layering and mild lateral variations in mechanical properties. Over such media, reflection data can be described by simple equations such as hyperbolas. However, complex geologic media will cause complicated waveforms as seismic waves propagate through them. As the medium deviates from the simple models, the complexity of the reflection data increases and the classical seismic data processing methods start to fail. This calls for special treatment of complex data, which substantially complicates seismic data processing. On the other hand, the image domain allows unified treatment of data acquired over simple and complex media because the effects of the medium on the kinematics of wave propagation are largely removed by the process of backpropagation, which is inherent to the migration procedure. This characteristic makes the image domain a powerful alternative to the data domain for seismic data processing. A challenge in designing seismic data processing methods in the image domain is the need for an accurate estimate of the migration velocities. In this work, we show how we can relax this requirement. We also show how we can, through demigration, transform the results of seismic data processing in the image domain back to the data domain