Global geoscience innovator DUG has released a revolutionary new technology, which completely replaces traditional processing and imaging workflows that have been used for decades
DUG Multi-parameter FWI Imaging is an innovative implementation of full waveform inversion (FWI) that delivers simultaneous model-building and full-wavefield, least-squares, depth imaging without the need for a conventional workflow. Results are not just available much faster, but the novel approach delivers unsurpassed imaging directly from field data.
Traditional seismic processing and imaging workflows contain a multitude of techniques such as deghosting, designature, demultiple and regularisation – all designed to suppress or modify parts of the recorded wavefield that would be incorrectly migrated by conventional algorithms, such as Kirchhoff or reverse time migration. These preprocessing workflows can be complex, subjective, and time-consuming due to the serial nature in which they must be tested and applied. Projects can take many months or even years to complete.
Unsurpassed imaging in faster turnaround times
DUG MP-FWI Imaging uses superior physics to deliver unsurpassed imaging in much faster turnaround times - weeks, not months or years.
DUG chief geophysicist Tom Rayment explained, “MP-FWI Imaging uses the robust physics of FWI to simultaneously determine a number of earth parameters, including attenuation, anisotropic velocity and three-component reflectivity. The derived reflectivity benefits from significantly better subsurface sampling since it is naturally formed from primaries, multiples and ghosts - which are all treated as useful signal. The approach provides true-amplitude full-offset and angle-stack reflectivity images for both structural and quantitative interpretation without subjective and time-consuming preprocessing. When using the full wavefield for simultaneous velocity model building and true-amplitude imaging a multi-parameter inversion is a necessity. A single-parameter FWI cannot separate velocity and reflectivity with validity.”
DUG managing director Dr Matthew Lamont added, “We have successfully applied this technology all over the world, in an array of geological settings, using data from all types of acquisition, both modern and legacy. It has delivered fast, superior imaging on geophysically-challenging datasets including subsalt, shallow-water and onshore. We believe this is the future of seismic processing and imaging."
