Application of inverse Q filtering for improvement of seismic resolution in the Zechstein formation (SW Poland)

Abstract

Seismic wave attenuation has strong, negative effect on the seismic data resolution. The high influence of this phenomenon was observed during realization of seismic survey »Duża Wólka 3D« (Geofizyka Kraków S.A. 2010a). The resolution of recorded seismic data was very low due to high attenuation caused by the Lower Triassic Buntsandstein sandstones. In consequence, interpretation of the thin-layered Zechstein formation is ambiguous. The aim of this paper is to present the multi-stage algorithm for the purpose of minimizing the attenuation effect, hence increasing the resolution of the seismic data. In order to achieve this, the inverse <i>Q</i> filtering process was used. The <i>Q</i> factor (quality factor) was estimated from the vertical seismic profiling data (Geofizyka Kraków S.A. 2010c). To verify the effectiveness of inverse <i>Q</i> filtering, seismic modelling was performed. Results received from seismic modelling gave basis for application the inverse <i>Q</i> filtering on real data. For this operation the seismic time profile inline 112 was chosen from the seismic data set »Duża Wólka 3D«. Application of inverse <i>Q</i> filtering significantly increased the seismic resolution, which enabled the interpretation of the Zechstein formation with more accuracy.