For a horizontal reflector x-x0=0, as well as px=0, in equations () and (), and thus they reduce to
(133) |
() derived a three-term Taylor series expansion for the moveout of reflections from horizontal interfaces in homogeneous, VTI media. Their traveltime equation can be simplified when expressed in terms of and v (), as follows:
(134) |
() derived a correction factor to the nonhyperbolic term of Hake et al's equation that increases the accuracy and stabilizes traveltime moveout at large offsets in VTI media. The more accurate moveout equation, when expressed in terms of and v (), and slightly manipulated, is given by
(135) |
Figure shows the percentage error in traveltime moveout as a function of offset for the three moveout equations given above. Clearly, the offset-axis component of the new VTI pyramid equation (dashed gray curve) has less errors and is by far more accurate than the traveltime moveout given by either the three-term Taylors series equation () (solid gray curve) or the modified traveltime moveout equation () (solid black curve). In fact, the errors in equation () for moderate anisotropy, given by (left), and relatively strong anisotropy, given by (right), are practically zero for offsets-to-depth ratio up to 3, shown here.
Erroreta1
Figure 4 Same as Figure , but with , which is an extremely high value for , not common in the subsurface. |
We have to use a model with equals the huge value of 1, as shown in Figure , before observing any sizable errors in the new equation. Even for such a huge anisotropy, the errors are again practically zero for offsets-to-depth ratio below 1.5. Therefore, for all intent and purposes in seismic applications, equation () for horizontal reflectors is practically exact. Next, we test the accuracy of the midpoint-offset pyramid equation for dipping reflectors. We do that by prestack migrating synthetic data that include dipping reflections using this new equation.