Abstract
Wavelet maps are special displays of reflection seismograms. Seismic wavelets from a reflecting horizon are gathered and displayed in each of 4 data organizations: common depth point, common shot position, common receiver position, and common offset. In each of these organizations, the wavelets are aligned relative to their estimated traveltimes, thereby removing the structural and the hyperbolic normal moveout effects. By suitable averaging and analysis of the wavelets, we may extract information from each reflector relating to (1) the behavior of amplitude and waveform as a function of common depth point, offset and shot and receiver locations, and (2) the residual traveltime, referred to hyperbolic normal moveout, as a function of offset, shot position, and receiver position. This information can be used to provide a basis for (1) amplitude control and corrections as functions of time and space, (2) surface-consistent static corrections, (3) shot characteristics, (4) indication of thin-bed, complex, interface, and lithological changes, and (5) nonhyperbolic moveout interpretation and correction to minimum paths for velocity determination.General results of the applications of this analysis tool to several prospects are shown to demonstrate its potential for increasing our understanding of the reflection seismic process.
