Conclusions

In this short note I presented a methodology to estimate 3-D reflector dip from seismic traces with arbitrary geometry. While the resultant dip estimates are imperfect, I show that they nontheless represent a significant improvement over a zero dip assuption in the desired application: inverse interpolation.

I foresee this method as having some value as a first-order starting guess for nonlinear implementations of Claerbout's ``two-stage'' inverse interpolation method Claerbout (1999), as tested by Curry and Brown (2001). Significant improvements are likely possible, particularly in the method for estimating the initial reflector dip between two arbitrary traces.