Patent ID: 7525873
Filing Date: 2009-04-28
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
1. A method of processing seismic data for use in geophysical exploration within a predetermined volume of the earth containing structural and stratigraphic features conducive to the generation, migration, accumulation, or presence of hydrocarbons, comprising the steps of: (a) collecting a seismic survey that images at least a portion of said predetermined volume of the earth; (b) within said seismic survey, selecting a plurality of seismic traces; (c) identifying a time window within each of said plurality of seismic traces, each of said time windows containing seismic data therein; (d) for each of said identified time windows, transforming said data within said time window via a Fourier transform, thereby producing a Fourier transform dataset for each of said windows so transformed; (e) calculating an amplitude spectrum for each of said identified time windows from said Fourier transform datasets; (f) selecting one of said amplitude spectra, (g) selecting an initial reflectivity model, (h) calculating an amplitude spectrum of said initial reflectivity model, (i) selecting an objective function, said objective function at least relating said selected amplitude spectra and said spectrum of said initial reflectivity model, (j) calculating a reflectivity series by optimizing said objective function with respect to said reflectivity series; and, (k) writing at least a portion of said calculated reflectivity series to computer storage.