Method to estimate 4D seismic acquisition repeatability specifications from high-resolution near-water-bottom seismic images

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium encoded with instructions, which when executed by a computer causes the computer to implement a method for designing 4-D seismic acquisition source and receiver repeatability specifications, said method comprising:

• locating, with the computer subsurface anomalies above a target reservoir zone from analysis of high-resolution reflectivity images for the target reservoir zone;
• determining a size, location, and contrast of the anomalies;
• determining, with the computer, how the anomalies above the target reservoir zone modify target illumination for variations in the 4-D seismic acquisition source and receiver positions, wherein the determining comprises estimating, from the size, location and contrast of the anomalies with respect to a surrounding medium, which areal source or receiver surface positions would be impacted by the anomalies, magnitude of reflectivity of the anomalies, magnitude of timing and amplitude differences for wave propagation through the anomalies compared to wave propagation away from the anomalies, and a solid angle illumination impairment range associated with the anomalies relative to the target reservoir zone;
• and
• determining, with the computer, repeatability specifications for a monitor seismic survey, wherein tolerances for the source or receiver positions vary across an acquisition area based on how the anomalies modify the target illumination.