Investigating the randomness assumption in wavelet estimation

Ayon Kumar Dey, Laurence R. Lines

In the February 1991 issue of GEOPHYSICS, Anton Ziolkowski gives a scathing criticism of statistical wavelet estimation methods. Among other points, Ziolkowski questions the validity of the randomness assumption. That is, when trying to estimate a wavelet by statistical means, it is common place to assume that the seismic reflectivity sequence is a random signal so that the wavelet autocorrelation can be obtained from the trace autocorrelation. In examining the randomness assumption, we shall present some very preliminary results concerningthese statistical methods and their assumption of randomness. We will discuss the methods used and analyze their results. Finally, we shall indicate some directionsthat will be taken in the future.