Berkhout, A. J. Guus (2014) Review Paper: An outlook on the future of seismic imaging, Part III: Joint Migration Inversion. Geophysical Prospecting, 62 (5). pp. 950-971. DOI 10.1111/1365-2478.12158.

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Abstract

The next generation seismic imaging algorithms will consider multiple scattering as
indispensable information, referred to as FullWavefieldMigration. In addition, these
algorithms will also include autonomous velocity updating in the migration process,
referred to as Joint Migration Inversion. Full wavefield migration and joint migration
inversion address the industrial needs of improving images of very complex reservoirs
as well as the industry ambition of producing these images in a more automatic
manner (‘automation in seismic processing’).
In this vision paper on seismic imaging, full wavefield migration and joint migration
inversion are formulated in terms of a closed-loop, estimation algorithm that can be
physically explained by an iterative double focusing process (full wavefield Common-
Focus-Point technology). A critical module in this formulation is forward modelling,
allowing feedback from migrated output to unmigrated input (‘closing the loop’).
For this purpose a full wavefield modelling module has been developed that utilizes
an operator description of complex geology. Full wavefield modelling module is
pre-eminently suited to function in the feedback path of a closed-loop migration
algorithm.
‘The Future of Seismic Imaging’ is presented as a coherent trilogy, proposing in three
consecutive parts the migration framework of the future. In part I it was shown that
the proposed full wavefield modelling module algorithm differs fundamentally from
finite difference modelling, as velocities and densities need not be provided. Instead,
full wavefield modelling module uses an operator description of the subsurface. In
Part II it was shown how the theory of Primary WavefieldMigration can be extended
to Full Wavefield Migration by correcting for elastic transmission effects and by
utilizing multiple scattering. In Part III it is shown how the full wavefield migration
technology can be extended to Joint Migration Inversion, allowing full wavefield
migration of blended data without knowledge of the velocity. Velocities are part of
the joint migration inversion output, being obtained by an operator-driven parametric
inversion process. The potential of the proposed joint migration inversion algorithm
is illustrated with numerical examples.

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