Patent ID: 6292754
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
A method of seismic exploration,wherein there is provided a seismic survey consisting of unstacked multi-component seismic traces collected over a predetermined volume of the earth,said unstacked multicomponent seismic traces being organizable into at least one multicomponent gather having at least four unstacked multicomponent seismic traces associated therewith, and,said seismic survey having a survey coordinate system associated therewith,wherein at least a portion of the predetermined volume of the earth is characterized by azimuthal anisotropy having an orientation along principal coordinate axes, and,comprising the steps of:(a) selecting a particular gather from among said at least one multicomponent gather, said particular gather having at least four seismic traces associated therewith;(b) selecting a time level spanned by said at least four seismic traces;(c) obtaining a generalized inverse of an effective source/propagation matrix associated with said selected time level;(d) multiplying said particular gather by said generalized inverse of said effective source/propagation matrix for at least said selected time level, thereby obtaining at least one product matrix;(e) performing steps (b) through (d) a predetermined number of times, thereby forming a predetermined number of product matrices; and,(f) determining from said predetermined number of product matrices an estimate of an angle necessary to rotate said seismic survey coordinate system to at least approximately match said principle coordinate axes.