Patent ID: 7630865
Filing Date: 2009-12-08
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for processing data, comprising: receiving a collection of traces corresponding to signals received over time at multiple locations due to reflection of seismic waves from subsurface structures; computing a measure of correlation among the traces as a function of a set of wavefront parameters, which determine respective moveout corrections to be applied in aligning the traces, wherein the wavefront parameters comprise an emergence angle and respective wavefront radii of curvature of a common reflected element and a common evolute element outgoing from a subsurface reflector; generating a matrix having at least three dimensions, wherein one of the dimensions corresponds to propagation times of the seismic waves and at least two of the dimensions correspond respectively to at least two of the wavefront parameters, and the elements of the matrix comprise the computed measure of the correlation; identifying, using the matrix, values of the wavefront parameters that maximize the measure of the correlation for each of a plurality of propagation times, respectively; and generating a seismic image of the subsurface structures by aligning and integrating the traces using the moveout corrections that are determined by the identified values of the wavefront parameters.