Patent ID: 8296069
Filing Date: 2012-10-23
Classification: G01V

Abstract:
1. A method of seismic exploration within a predetermined volume of the earth containing structural and stratigraphic features conducive to the generation, migration, accumulation, or presence of subsurface resources, comprising the steps of: a. accessing a digital representation of a seismic survey that images at least a portion of said predetermined volume of the earth; b. selecting at least a portion of said seismic survey, thereby selecting a plurality of seismic traces; c. obtaining a velocity model at least approximately representative of at least a portion of said imaged portion of said predetermined volume of the earth, said velocity model having at least one velocity therein; d. using at least said a portion of said velocity model to determine an error compensating pseudo-differential operator; e. using said error compensating pseudo-differential operator to construct a time-marching wave equation solution for use in an inversion program; f. inverting said plurality of seismic traces using said inversion program, thereby producing an earth parameter model; and, g. using at least a portion of said earth parameter model to explore for subsurface resources within the predetermined volume of the earth, and