Patent ID: 6128580
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: A47B,G01V

Abstract:
A method of processing seismic data containing converted waves for use in seismic exploration, comprising:(a) accessing at least a portion of a multicomponent seismic survey collected over a predetermined volume of the earth, wherein(1) said predetermined volume of the earth contains structural or stratigraphic features conducive to the generation, migration, accumulation, or presence of hydrocarbons, and(2) said multicomponent seismic survey is comprised of seismic traces;(b) determining parameter estimates for at least two of .gamma..sub.eff, .gamma..sub.0, and .gamma..sub.2 for at least one point in time, where .gamma..sub.eff is an effective velocity ratio, .gamma..sub.0 is a vertical velocity ratio, and .gamma..sub.2 is a moveout velocity ratio; and,(c) using at least one of said at least two parameter estimates to calculate at least one seismic gather from said seismic traces in said multicomponent seismic survey, thereby producing a representation of at least a portion of the predetermined volume of the earth for use in seismic exploration for said structural and stratigraphic features.