System and method for wave equation deconvolution for internal multiple attenuation

A computing system for internal multiple attenuation of seismic data associated with a subsurface, the computing system comprising:

• an interface configured to receive seismic data d associated with the subsurface, wherein the seismic data d is acquired by seismic sensors at a given datum and includes primaries, and internal multiples;
• and
• a processor connected to the interface and configured to,
• receive a first reflectivity r1 associated with a first formation in the subsurface;
• calculate a second reflectivity r2 associated with a second formation in the subsurface, by simulating a wavefield between the first formation and the second formation, based on wavefield extrapolation of the seismic data d and a reflection in the first reflectivity r1, wherein the second formation is different from the first formation;
• calculate the internal multiples using a wave-equation operator that combines (1) the wavefield extrapolation of the seismic data d, (2) the reflection in the first reflectivity r1, and (3) a reflection in the second reflectivity r2;
• attenuate the internal multiples from the seismic data d by subtraction to generate a primary wavefield;
• and
• generate an image of the subsurface by migrating the primary wavefield to map physical indicative of geophysical features associated with oil or gas resources.

A method for internal multiple attenuation of seismic data associated with a subsurface, the method comprising:

• receiving seismic data d associated with the subsurface, wherein the seismic data d is acquired by seismic sensors at a given datum and includes primaries, surface related multiples, and internal multiples;
• generating an image of the subsurface based on the surface related multiples;
• applying a first mask to the image to generate a first reflectivity r1, which is associated with a first formation in the subsurface;
• applying a second mask to the image to generate a second reflectivity r2, which is associated with a second formation in the subsurface;
• estimating the internal multiples by simulating a wavefield between the first formation and the second formation using (1) wavefield extrapolation of the seismic data d, (2) a reflection in the first reflectivity r1, and (3) a reflection in the second reflectivity r2;
• attenuating the internal multiples from the seismic data d by subtraction, to obtain demultiple data dd;
• and
• generating an improved image of the subsurface, which is indicative of geophysical features associated with oil or gas resources, based on transforming the demultiple data dd into a physical representation of the geophysical features of the subsurface.