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CONTENTS
Introduction
Definition of Terms and Assumptions
Types of Deconvolution
Prestack applications - Signature Deconvolution, DBS
Post-Stack applications - DAS
INTRODUCTION
Deconvolution is a filtering process which removes a wavelet from the recorded
seismic trace by reversing the process of convolution. The commonest way to perform
deconvolution is to design a Wiener filter to transform one wavelet into another
wavelet in a least-squares sense. By far the most important application is predictive
deconvolution in which a repeating signal (e.g. primaries and multiples) is shaped to
one which doesn't repeat (primaries only). Predictive deconvolution suppresses
multiple reflections and optionally alters the spectrum of the input data to increase
resolution. It is almost always applied at least once to marine seismic data.
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TYPES OF DECONVOLUTION
GAPPED OR PREDICTIVE
WAVESHAPING
OTHERS
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PRESTACK APPLICATIONS
SIGNATURE DECONVOLUTION
Note that a process used historically by GSI (then called HGS now called Western)
called DESIG used to statistically extract a wavelet from each shot record and convert
this to a zero-phase wavelet called "standard marine wavelet 6". They claimed to
apply a zero-phase predictive deconvolution following this process so the resulting
data would be approximately zero-phase (not minimum as standard). This type of
process should be avoided since the results are unpredictable.
In practise the DBS chosen is usually fairly conservative. This is because the job can
largely be done by the DAS at a later stage in the processing where it is cheaper and
easier to redo if the wrong parameters are chosen.
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POST-STACK APPLICATIONS
DAS
In many areas (e.g. the North Sea) a post-stack predictive deconvolution DAS
(deconvolution after stack) is often applied in addition to that already applied prestack
because the DBS does not attenuate multiples sufficiently well. Additionally the DAS
can be used to perform any spectral enhancement which may have been undesirable
prestack based on the premise that it is better to do these things later rather than earlier
in the sequence. Post-stack the data should represent the near offset trace and the
period of the multiple should be stable (ignoring alterations by the stacking process
itself) and noise levels should be reduced. These features may enhance the
effectiveness of deconvolution. The DAS is almost always applied before migration
since the migration process itself may alter the period of the multiple reflections.
However, sometimes the deconvolution is applied after migration (DAM). This would
usually be because the DAS parameters could not be decided within the timeframe
allowed. If the wrong parameters are chosen it is better to do it after an expensive
process such as migration has already been applied. Sometimes the DAM is more
effective because the migration reduces noise in the data. This route also may be
preferred if target oriented multiple suppression routines such as SPLAT are to be
applied. On some data, particularly in deep water where heavy multiple suppression
routes have been attempted, the use of DAS may not be required and should be
replaced by spectral whitening methods.
1. The design window should include the target zone and omit any high
amplitudes or noise levels. It is common to omit the seabed, any coherent noise,
and first multiple bounce from the design window e.g. start the design window
at 200ms for a seabed at 80ms. The PROMAX deconvolution includes a fudge
factor to allow the inclusion of the first multiple bounce.
2. Longer design windows are statistically more valid than shorter ones (assuming
they don't just contain noise). Generally a design window 10 times the operator
length should be chosen. This would usually be around 2s for a 200ms total
operator (commonly used in the North Sea).
3. If a two-window design is chosen then application windows and window
overlap (where the deconvolution zones merge) will also have to be selected.
Merge zones should not be chosen over principal areas of interest and are
usually chosen in areas where there are few reflectors. When choosing zones it
is essential to remember any strong lateral changes in geology in the survey
area. It is possible to make the zone windows follow geological horizons
(common for a dipping seabed, but otherwise rare), but this is not
recommended unless absolutely required since it may lead to unpredictable
results and confuse the interpreter at a later stage.
4. In areas of high noise a multi-channel DAS may be tested in which the
autocorrelation functions from several adjacent traces are averaged in order to
design the DAS operator. This often results in milder or less effective
deconvolution.
DAS TRIALS
GAP TRIALS
The deconvolution gap probably has the most effect on the final appearance of the
deconvolved data. It must be remembered that the choice of gap will effect the
resulting amplitude spectrum of the data. A shorter gap will cause more wavelet
compression or spectral whitening and will boost any high and lower frequency noise
present. The spike deconvolution affords maximum resolution, is often too noisy, but
should always be tested, even if only as a reference section. Some schools of thought
prefer to choose a different DAS gap to that used for the DBS to avoid too much
spectral alteration of the same frequency bands.
The adjacent figure compares (left to right) gaps of 4ms
(spike), 12ms, 16ms, 24ms and raw. Click here to enlarge
the figure. The upper display shows the deconvolved
results and the lower display shows the associated enlarged
autocorrelation functions. When using PROMAX (as in
many processing systems) two jobs must be run and the
displays merged. Some contractors may be lazy on this,
but it is essential to display the autocorrelation functions.
The autocorrelation of the wavelet is seen to be around
20ms on panel 5. The spike deconvolution and the 12ms
gap are seen to undesirably boost low frequency noise in
the shallower part of the section. The 16ms and 24ms gap produce very similar
results. The 16ms gap would probably be the optimum compromise between spectral
enhancement and boosting noise. For deeper targets a 24ms or 32ms gap is probably
the commonest used in the North Sea. After stack the high frequency noise has
generally been reduced so if the data are whitened too much then generally it is the
lower frequencies which are observed (panels 1 & 2). In this case it may be more
desirable to apply a bandpass filter following deconvolution.
Deconvolution operator length will have the most effect on the degree of multiple
suppression performed by the predictive deconvolution. Assuming that the dominant
multiple period is the seabed multiple then operator lengths less than the water bottom
(e.g. 100ms) will generally just perform spectral whitening/wavelet compression.
Longer operator lengths (e.g. water bottom + 60ms) will generally be effective at
multiple suppression. Operators longer than this may start to deconvolve geology.
Deconvolution will generally have a poor performance on multiples with periods
greater than 300ms.
The adjacent figure uses a 16ms gap and from left to right the
following operator lengths 80ms, 120ms, 160ms, 240ms and
no DAS. Click here to display an enlarged figure. The upper
display shows the deconvolved data and the lower panel the
associated autocorrelation functions. Both panels have been
reduced slightly in size in order to create the figure. The
autocorrelation from panel 5 shows that the dominant multiple
period is around 110ms. Panel 1 provides just wavelet
compression and no multiple suppression. Panels 2 and 3 are
very similar in results for multiple suppression. It is noted that
the residual multiple is not particularly strong on this data
example.
WHITE NOISE TRIALS