Layer stripping converted reflected waveforms for dipping fractures

A program storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a computing device, perform a method for use in seismic prospecting, comprising:

• partitioning a plurality of converted split shear-wave data resulting from a common event and recorded at a plurality of azimuths and a plurality of offsets as a function of the azimuths and offsets;
• separating fast and slow split shear-wave wavefields in the partitioned data;
• deriving at least one attribute of at least one of the separated fast and slow shear-wave wavefields;
• and
• analyzing the derived attribute.

A computing apparatus programmed to perform a method for use in seismic prospecting, comprising:

• partitioning a plurality of converted split shear-wave data resulting from a common event and recorded at a plurality of azimuths and a plurality of offsets as a function of the azimuths and offsets;
• separating fast and slow split shear-wave wavefields in the partitioned data;
• deriving at least one attribute of at least one of the separated fast and slow shear-wave wavefields;
• and
• analyzing the derived attribute.

A method for use in seismic prospecting, comprising:

• determining a fast shear-wave direction and a slow shear-wave direction for a layer of converted split shear-wave data resulting from a common event and recorded at a plurality of azimuths and a plurality of offsets as a function of the azimuths and offsets;
• evaluating the time-delays between the fast shear wave and the slow shear-wave of each azimuth in the data in a dynamic cross-correlation;
• dynamically shifting the slow shear-wave components by the evaluated time delays;
• and
• iterating the above for a successive layer of the data.

A method for use in seismic prospecting, comprising:

• providing a plurality of azimuth and offset-limited, partially stacked radial and transverse data components;
• performing a two-component rotation of the data components into a plurality of principal axes;
• dynamically cross-correlating between the fast shear-waves and the slow-shear waves resulting from the two-component rotation;
• dynamically time-shifting the slow shear-wave components;
• analyzing the time-shifted, slow shear-wave components for mirror symmetry directions, polarization directions, and orientation of fracture dip;
• and
• iterating the above for successive layers of data.