Cumulative Difference Statics: method and application

Abstract

The Cumulative Difference Statics (CDS) method, applied to routine reflection profiles in areas of rapidly-changing near-surface weathering, provides a robust and accurate estimation of static corrections using the first-break refraction data. The method uses the first-break arrival times of refracted energy between paired shots to track the variation in the travel-time through the weathered layer. Comparison of the CDS method with conventional refraction static methods in basement areas illustrates the ability of the CDS method to handle the rapid variation in the static corrections which often occurs in these areas. The CDS method can be readily applied to the problem of calculating the static corrections for both two and three dimensional seismic surveys.