Iteratively refining a dip estimation for seismic imaging by applying single and joint dip constraints

摘要

The invention relates to a method comprising receiving seismic data from traces of a subsurface volume, and iteratively refining a dip estimation of the subsurface volume which includes estimating a residual dip correction. With each iteration, the system applies single and joint dip constraints, checking local dip estimates for reciprocity, causality, consistency, and vertical and lateral continuity. At discontinuities in the seismic volume, local divergences are marked with a quality attribute. Upon convergence of the volume dip estimation, the volume may be rendered in 3D, including the discontinuities. In performing volume dip estimation, the system can also provide automatic horizon interpretation and automatic fault detection. This method is in an improvement on conventional dip estimation which relies on calculating only local estimates of dip, without taking into account global consistency constraints.