Application of High Resolution Q-Tomography: A Case Study From North West Shelf, Australia

Abstract

Geo-bodies and gas chimneys near the water bottom create anomalously high levels of absorption. This leads to dim zones, hindering interpretation and AVO studies. The problem is compounded further by the small dimensions of these anomalies, necessitating a high-resolution Q-model to compensate for localized absorption. This case study examines the application of Q-tomography and Q-PSDM using a high-resolution Q-model to compensate for Q effects. The alternative, which is to apply simple Q compensation outside migration, results in indiscriminate boosting without taking into account the true raypaths. Results after Q-PSDM show successful restoration of amplitudes by healing the dim zones beneath localized anomalies. It is concluded that applying Q compensation within migration via Q-PSDM, and using a high-resolution Q-model, provides superior results over traditional Q compensation methods.

AAPG Datapages/Search and Discovery Article #90217 © 2015 International Conference & Exhibition, Melbourne, Australia, September 13-16, 2015