A PRACTICAL UNDERSTANDING

OF
PRE- AND POSTSTACK MIGRATIONS

VOLUME 2
(Prestack)

by
John C. Bancroft, Ph.D.
University of Calgary

Course Notes Series Editor

Roger A. Young
University of Oklahoma
 A Practical Understanding or Migration and DMO

A PRACTICAL UNDERSTANDING
OF
PRE- AND POSTSTACK MIGRATIONS
Volume 2
(Prestack)

by
John C, Bancroft, Ph.D.

Sixth Edition

Copyright January 2004

No figures or examples may be reproduced by any

means without permission from the author.

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 A Practical Understanding or Migration and DMO

Contents
Preface to Volume II
Acknowledgements
Prestack Abbreviations and Symbols

Volume II (Prestack)
Chapter 7 Prestack Modelling
7.0 Introduction to Prestack Data.................................................................. 7.2
7.1 Modelling of Source Gathers (Shot Records) ....................................... 7.18
7.2 Constant Offset Sections ...................................................................... 7.36
7.3 Prestack Eikonal Equation Modelling.................................................... 7.54
7.4 The Marmousi Model ............................................................................ 7.56
7.5 NMO Processing of Prestack Data ....................................................... 7.58
7.6 Cheops Pyramid for 2-D Data............................................................... 7.60
7.7 NMO Processing Cheops Pyramid ....................................................... 7.62
7.8 Comparison of Prestack Summation Surfaces ..................................... 7.64
7.9 Modelling Linear Reflectors with Scatterpoints ..................................... 7.70
7.10 Prestack Modelling of 3-D Data ............................................................ 7.74
7.11 Summary of Points to Note in Chapter 7............................................... 7.75

Chapter 8 2-D Dip Moveout (DMO)

8.0 Introduction ............................................................................................. 8.2
8.1 Dip Moveout (DMO) .............................................................................. 8.12
8.2 DMO of Source Gathers ....................................................................... 8.20
8.3 DMO of Constant Offset Sections......................................................... 8.24
8.4 Dip Moveout (DMO) Algorithms ............................................................ 8.32
8.5 Pre-Processing for DMO (and Prestack Migration)............................... 8.72
8.6 DMO Processing Loops ........................................................................ 8.76
8.7 Real World DMO................................................................................... 8.80
8.8 DMO Examples on Modelled Data........................................................ 8.83
8.9 Kinematics of DMO on Cheops pyramids ............................................. 8.91
8.10 Summary of Points to Note in Chapter 8............................................... 8.94
Chapter 9 Prestack Migration (and 3-D DMO)

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9.0 Introduction to Prestack Migration .......................................................... 9.2

9.1 DMO and Prestack Migration.................................................................. 9.6
9.2 Prestack Migration of Source Records.................................................. 9.10
9.3 Source-Receiver (Shot-Geophone) Method.......................................... 9.18
9.4 Prestack Migration of a Constant-Offset Section .................................. 9.22
9.5 Constant Angle and t-p Migration......................................................... 9.24
9.6 Stolt Prestack Migration of 2-D Data..................................................... 9.26
9.7 Gardner’s DMO-PSI.............................................................................. 9.28
9.8 Equivalent Offset Migration (EOM) ....................................................... 9.38
9.9 Kinematic Comparison between DMO-PSI and EOM ........................... 9.44
9.10 Prestack Migration Aliasing and Irregular Geometry............................. 9.46
9.11 Prestack Migration of 3-D Data Volumes .............................................. 9.48
9.12 3-D DMO............................................................................................... 9.54
9.13 Cross Dip, Down Dip, and Azimuth in Acquisition Design..................... 9.62
9.14 General comments ............................................................................... 9.65
9.15 Summary of Points to Note in Chapter 9............................................... 9.66

Chapter 10 Examples of DMO and Prestack Migrations

10.0 Description of Figures ........................................................................... 10.2
10.1 Comparison of DMO and Prestack Migration Ellipses ......................... 10. 8
10.2 3-D Model Test for DMO...................................................................... 10. 9
10.3 Example of the DMO Operator ........................................................... 10.12
10.4 Testing and Evaluating DMO .............................................................. 10.16
10.5 DMO of an Aliased Dipping Event ...................................................... 10.20
10.6 DMO Processing of Real Data............................................................ 10.24
10.7 DMO of a Source Record.................................................................... 10.28
10.8 Prestack Migration of a Source Record .............................................. 10.30
10.9 Comparisons of DMO and Migrations on Real Data ........................... 10.32
10.10 Prestack Migration of a Structurally Complex Model .......................... 10.44
10.11 Examples of 3-D Salt Imaging ............................................................ 10.48
10.12 Summary of Summary of Points to note in Chapter 10....................... 10.52

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Chapter 11 Equivalent Offset Migration (EOM)

11.0 Introduction ........................................................................................... 11.2
11.1 Raypaths for a Scatterpoint ................................................................ 11.12
11.2 The Equivalent Offset he ..................................................................... 11.14
11.3 Mapping an Input Trace to a CSP Gather........................................... 11.16
11.4 The CSP Gather ................................................................................. 11.26
11.5 2-D Data Examples and Comparisons with EOM ............................... 11.30
11.6 3-D Processing ................................................................................... 11.34
11.7 Examples of anisotropic depth migration ............................................ 11.38
11.8 Rugged Topography Processing ........................................................ 11.42
11.9 Residual Statics Before NMO ............................................................. 11.44
11.10 Converted Wave Processing .............................................................. 11.52
11.11 Other Features of EOM ...................................................................... 11.56
11.12 Benefits of EOM Processing ............................................................... 11.59
11.13 Disadvantages of the Process ............................................................ 11.60
11.14 Summary of Points to Note in Chapter 11........................................... 11.61

Chapter 12 Comparisons and Evaluations

12.1 Which Algorithm is Best for a Given Application? ................................. 12.2
12.2 What Are the Differences Between Time and Depth Migrations? ......... 12.4
12.3 What Factors Are Considered in Choosing a Migration Algorithm? ...... 12.5

Appendix 4 Kinematic Derivations for DMO-PSI and EOM .... Appen-4.1

Appendix 5 Stacking Chart for 2-D Data .................................. Appen-5.1

References (Full ID number sort)

ID number sort.....................................................................................Reference 1
Author sort .........................................................................................Reference 12

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Preface to volume II
I have been told on many occasions that I should not include the old technology of DMO,
especially when there are many efficient prestack migrations. In a similar thread of
thought, I have also been told that we should not poststack migrate or use any time
migrations.
Conventional DMO is based on constant velocity models, and in some places it may do
more harm than good. There are however, areas where DMO does work. In addition, the
fundamentals of DMO are the foundation of some prestack migrations, especially the
DMO-PSI process.
The objective of the seismic process is to use surface measurements (and what ever
other information is available) to estimate the geology of the subsurface in depth i.e. (x,
y, z). Standard processing is the first stage in which noise is reduced, bandwidth
recovered, near surface model resolved, static corrections estimated, and amplitudes
balanced. The output should be a prestack time migrated section that has required
minimal input from an interpreter.
Advanced processing requires extensive interaction with an interpreter (geologist) to aid
in building a depth model for depth migration. Algorithms for accurate depth migration
have been available for many years; however, estimation of the depth model remains a
difficult task in areas with complex geology. The inclusion of anisotropy, mode
converted waves, and/or the varied use of wavefront times (maximum energy, first
arrival, etc.) continue to improve these algorithms and to help build better models.
The ultimate objective of “seismic processing” is to create an accurate depth model of
the subsurface (that may also include rock parameters). However, in many areas, a
prestack time migration may be adequate to identify a drilling location. In other areas,
the geology may be so complex that it is not possible to define a depth model accurately
enough for a depth migration and the best result remains the prestack time migration.
Consequently, economics will continue to determine the level of processing that is
required for a particular project. These economics must be continually evaluated in
response to the costs of acquisition and processing.
It is the intent of these course notes to provide exposure to the basic prestack migration
algorithms and thereby enable accurate and informed decisions.
Prestack migration should always produce a superior image in comparison to one
produce by a poststack migration. The exceptions are usually caused by inferior
implementations of the prestack algorithms, especially in areas with an uneven
acquisition geometry. The balancing of energy for a poststack migration is
accomplished in the stacking process; one that is very powerful. The balancing of
energy in a prestack migration is more difficult, but must match the quality of that used
in preparing the poststack data.
JCB, Jan. 2003

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Acknowledgments
Preparation of this second volume in its present form has received support from the
CREWES project and a number of processing companies.

I especially thank:
Darren Foltinek CREWES
Henry Bland CREWES
Shaowu Wang CREWES
Hugh Geiger CREWES
Gary Margrave CREWES
Xinxiang Li CREWES
Yong Xu CREWES

Irene Kelly PanCanadian

Carmine Militano C and C Systems
David Ganley Arcis (EXSSEL)
Rick Wallace Ulterra Geoscience
Mike Marcoux Veritas DGC
Olav Barkved Amoco

Sponsors of the CREWES project

Development of the EOM method of prestack migration has involved a number of

persons who have contributed theoretical development, software programs, and data
processing examples. I especially recognize Hugh Geiger and Gary Margrave for many
stimulating discussions and their numerous supporting publications.

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Prestack Abbreviations and Symbols

AAF Antialiasing filter
NMO normal moveout
also used as a noun equivalent to normal moveout correction
DDMO dip-dependent moveout (NMO correction using stacking velocities)
Kirchhoff NMO NMO correction that combines antialiasing filters, scaling, and
interpolation.
Vrms RMS velocity
• a definition that approximates hyperbolic moveout for horizontal reflectors
• applicable for short offsets
• simplifies raypaths to be linear
• used with Dix equation to estimate interval velocities
• used with Kirchhoff time migrations to:
1. simplify raypaths to be linear
2. enable use of the double square-root equation (DSR)
3. usually in violation of the requirement for horizontal reflectors and short
offsets
4. velocities are defined along an image ray
5. may not give a good estimate of interval velocities
Vstk dip dependent velocity for NMO of dipping data: Vstk = Vrms/cos(dip)
V local velocity of interest (often RMS)
Time variables are usually two-way time.
T input time
T0 vertical zero-offset time to scatter point (image ray)
Tn after NMO correction when using RMS velocities
Tdn dip dependent NMO correction using Vstk = Vrms/cos(b)
(same as zero-offset time from CMP for a dipping reflector)
Td tangential time after NMO-DMO
Tg tangential time (relative to T0) after Gardner’s DMO
Tc time at offset b in DMO unit circle.
t = 2h/V radius (in time) of DMO unit circle (x, t) from –h to h.
rjw Root differential filter for 2-D Kirchhoff migrations, (45∞ phase shift).

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Figures relating scatterpoint, reflectors, reflections, traveltimes, and raypaths.

x0
h h
S CMP R x

T0

Scatterpoint

T
x0
CMP
S h h TV/2 x
R
CMPh
β

N
b

Rh, T0 Ri
Td
Tn R0
NMO
Tg
T dn
Dip-NMO

The velocities used in the above figures allow two-way travel times to equal one-
way distances, i.e. V = 0.5.
• The distance CMP – R0 is equal to the zero-offset travel time Tdn.
• Half the distance S – Ri or S – Rh - R is equal to the input time T.

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