Acquisition, Processing, and Interpretation of P-P and P-S 3-D Seismic Data

Glenn Allen Larson

Three-dimensional (3-D) seismic images have become an essential tool in seismic exploration. The interpretation tools and practices for conventional (acoustic) 3-D developed over the past 20 years have become established techniques in oil and gas exploration.

Converted-wave 3-D (3C-3D) seismic images can accompany a conventional acoustic survey and provide a powerful adjunct toward a more complete interpretation. Proper design schemes are considered here to account for the nature of 3-D convertedwave recording without compromising either the acoustic or elastic data.

3-D converted-wave surveys are acquired over a carbonate and clastic numerical model. Extra elastic-wave information (e.g. Vp/Vs values, P-P and P-S amplitude maps) allows further characterization of the clastic and carbonate anomaly.

A 3C-3D seismic survey acquired in central Alberta is analyzed. The inclusion of the P-S data allow the construction of Vp/Vs and delay-time maps for the slow and fast shear-wave polarization. Vp/Vs mapping displays an anomaly in the Viking interval which suggests a higher percentage of sand.