V_P/V_S mapping - robustness and quality improvement

Albert Zhang, Laurence R. Lines

The mapping of VP/VS variations provides an effective tool for lithology discrimination. The use of traveltimes from pairs of reflectors on vertical and radial component seismic sections provides a robust and effective means of doing this mapping. The maps provide an effective means to distinguish shales from sandstones in heavy oil fields. Another possible mapping method involves the use of impedance estimation by trace inversions and AVO results. These three mapping techniques provide similar but not identical results. In this paper, we summarize some results of VP/VS mapping for heavy oil fields in Western Canada.