Seismic Imaging: Science and Art

Abstract

Seismic imaging is a process of geophysical inversion and consists of data acquisition, processing and interpretation. Errors introduced in any of these stages can have a serious impact on later stages and the final results. The processing stage probably has the greatest scope for error. Modern processing packages allow considerable freedom in the selection of processing algorithms and parameters. Even if essentially the same processing/work flow is followed, different results may be obtained from different data processors. End-users of the data can be unwittingly placed in a very difficult position. The seismic method itself is firmly based on the theory of elastic wave propagation. However the data processing and interpretation stages can be viewed as requiring the application of scientific art based on experience, a thorough understanding of the data in question, the field parameters, the options available for processing and the geological setting. This is not a new observation or theme, but in the light of recent experience in the application of seismic methods in mining, we revisit it in this paper. We use real data examples to illustrate the non-uniqueness of seismic data processing and the consequences of choosing different processing algorithms and parameters. The objective of this paper is to provide an awareness to some important issues in the contemporary use of seismic surveying in the hope that through this, better and more reliable results can be delivered and exploited by the end-users.