Enhanced RTM Imaging of Marine Streamer Data Using Pseudo Split-Spread (PSS) Shot Gathers

Abstract

In marine seismic surveys, data acquisition typically involves an end-on shooting geometry. While the Reverse Time Migration (RTM) method applied to end-on shot gathers often yields high-quality images, there are instances where certain dips may be inadequately represented or even missing in the migrated section. This paper introduces an efficient utilisation of the well-established principle of reciprocity to demonstrate the creation of a Pseudo Split-Spread (PSS) shot gather from existing one-sided offset shot gathers. Additionally, we illustrate that employing generated PSS shot gathers for RTM imaging of dipping events results in significant improvements compared to using recorded end-on shot gathers for both isotropic and anisotropic Vertically Transverse Isotropic (VTI) media. The proposed approach has been investigated in depth for its underlying methodology and additional advantages. The efficacy of this proposed RTM approach is substantiated through successful testing with synthetic and field data examples using isotropic and anisotropic VTI media.