Static correction in seismic
processing.
Priyanshu bhardwaj
pe20m012.
Content
Need for such correction
Issues with data collection
Methodology involved
Case Study
Conclusion
References
Need for such correction
Before carrying out the NMO correction it is usually necessary to perform a static
correction, which amounts to moving the entire seismic trace up or down in time.
There are two main reasons for applying static corrections.
1. Put shots and receivers on a flat datum plane.
2. Correct for near surface velocity anomalies beneath the source or receiver.
Issues with different datum planes of data collection
Common midpoint shot receiver pairs acquire data on an irregular interface. Time
differences are caused because of extra travel time associated with elevation of
source and receiver.
As a result reflections observed on the CMP gather will not have a hyperbolic form
and they will not be amenable to normal CMP processing (bottom panel).
Blue line Hyperbolic
expected
Green line Observed
Correction procedure
The correction procedure involves establishing a datum on which to locate
source and receiver, and then adding or subtracting the incremental time.
The reference velocity will be that of the upper layer.
Dotted line Datum plane
Point 1. Elevation
Point 2. depression
The reflections of interest are usually coming from great depth and the upcoming
energy is traveling nearly vertical. So the static correction due to elevation
expressed as a change in travel time is
That is, the whole seismic record is shifted in time by a value Δt.
After static correction, the subsurface events will look more like an hyperbola and
they will be ready for velocity analysis, NMO and stacking.
Near surface velocity anomalies
Similar bulk shifts in time will occur if there is anomalous velocity beneath a source
or receiver or if the thickness of the weathering layer changes substantially. The
amount to be subtracted from the seismic trace time is given by the following
formula:
The first layer is often highly weathered and it has variable thickness and velocity.
It is also usually poorly consolidated and therefore is a poor transmitter of seismic
energy
Near surface velocity anomalies
In exploration it is common to drill through the weathered zone into the upper
layer. Drill measurements establish the thickness at the shot. By having a
seismometer at the surface above the shot one can estimate the velocity of the
weathered zone.
The diagram next page shows the differences between reflection events on
adjacent seismograms due to the different elevations of shots and detectors and
the presence of a weathered layer.
After static corrections the seismograms should show better alignment of reflection
events.
From Kearey, Philip and Micheal Brooks, “An Introduction to Geophysical Exploration”. 2nd ed. Blackwell
Science: 1991.
.
Case Study
Low Velocity Layer Characterization in the Niger Delta: Implications for Seismic
Reflection Data Quality
The above paper worked on trying to emphasize the importance of static
correction and when drilling borehole ,typically how deep it should be .
Based on findings, author recommended that shots for reflection seismic survey
should be located at a minimum depth of 9.6m in the area to eliminate the effects
associated with the low velocity layer.
Case Study
.
Shot gather
comparision.
Conclusion of case study
Results of statics correction on reflection seismic data have shown that the low
velocity layer seriously degrades the quality of land reflection seismic data.
It can be concluded from the findings that downhole geophysical survey method
provides information that are very important in reflection seismic data acquisition
and processing.
These information helps in greatly reducing the problems of poor data quality and
statics in seismic data which can lead to the imaging of false subsurface
structures.
Reference
1. Low Velocity Layer Characterization in the Niger Delta: Implications for
Seismic Reflection Data Quality A.I. Opara1,[Link]
2. An improved technique of static correction using high resolution shallow
seismic reflection data using reflection in times,Chiemeke C. C. and Osazuwa
3. Seg static and residual static correction
4. GPG static corrections documentation manual.
THANK YOU
