Estimation of Thomsen's anisotropic parameters is very important for accurate time-to-depth conversion and depth migration data processing. Compared with other methods, it is much easier and more reliable to estimate anisotropic parameters that are required for surface seismic depth imaging from vertical seismic profile(VSP) data, because the first arrivals of VSP data can be picked with much higher accuracy. In this study, we developed a method for estimating Thomsen's P-wave anisotropic parameters in VTI media using the first arrivals from walkaway VSP data. Model first-arrival travel times are calculated on the basis of the near-offset normal moveout correction velocity in VTI media and ray tracing using Thomsen's P-wave velocity approximation. Then, the anisotropic parameters δ and ε are determined by minimizing the difference between the calculated and observed travel times for the near and far offsets. Numerical forward modeling, using the proposed method indicates that errors between the estimated and measured anisotropic parameters are small. Using field data from an eight-azimuth walkaway VSP in Tarim Basin, we estimated the parameters δ and ε and built an anisotropic depth-velocity model for prestack depth migration processing of surface 3D seismic data. The results show improvement in imaging the carbonate reservoirs and minimizing the depth errors of the geological targets.
Rayleigh waves have high amplitude, low frequency, and low velocity, which are treated as strong noise to be attenuated in reflected seismic surveys. This study addresses how to identify useful shear wave velocity profile and stratigraphic information from Rayleigh waves. We choose the Firefly algorithm for inversion of surface waves. The Firefly algorithm, a new type of particle swarm optimization, has the advantages of being robust, highly effective, and allows global searching. This algorithm is feasible and has advantages for use in Rayleigh wave inversion with both synthetic models and field data. The results show that the Firefly algorithm, which is a robust and practical method, can achieve nonlinear inversion of surface waves with high resolution.
