Stretch free trace processing using block move sum and phase-based move out corrected data

A method for use in processing seismic data, comprising:

• obtaining a plurality of seismic traces, each of said plurality of traces including data for multiple events and having a common geological reference point;
• defining a plurality of overlapping time intervals that extend across a predetermined time period;
• dividing each of said plurality of seismic traces into a corresponding plurality of overlapping time intervals;
• time shifting data associated with said overlapping time intervals of said plurality of seismic traces to produce a plurality of time shifted seismic traces including a plurality of time shifted intervals, wherein, corresponding time shifted intervals of said time shifted seismic traces are similar and a total energy of each time shifted seismic trace is substantially equal to a total energy of a corresponding one of said plurality of traces.

A method for use in processing seismic data, comprising:

• obtaining a plurality of seismic traces, each of said plurality of seismic traces including data for multiple events and having a common geological reference point;
• defining a plurality of overlapping time intervals that collectively extend across the time dimension of a putative zero-offset trace;
• dividing each of said plurality of seismic traces into a corresponding plurality of overlapping trace intervals, wherein each trace interval includes trace data;
• time-adjusting said trace intervals to produce adjusted traces having adjusted trace intervals, wherein said adjusted trace intervals are adjusted as a function of arrival times of event data as a function of lateral offset relative to said common geological reference point;
• generating a mathematical model having a first mathematical relationship between corresponding unadjusted seismic traces and adjusted traces, a second mathematical relationship between corresponding adjusted intervals of different adjusted traces and a third mathematical relationship involving a sum of corresponding adjusted intervals of said adjusted traces;
• simultaneously satisfying said mathematical relationships to generate a zero-offset trace.

An apparatus for use in processing seismic data, comprising:

• a storage for storing a common midpoint gather of seismic traces, wherein each seismic trace includes data associated with multiple events;
• a processor operative to:
• parse each seismic trace of said gather into a plurality of overlapping data blocks;
• time shift said data blocks according to arrival times of said events data as a function of lateral offset relative to a common midpoint, wherein resulting time adjusted data blocks define time adjusted traces;
• maintain a total energy of each set of time adjusted data block for each time adjusted trace equal to its corresponding set of non adjusted data blocks;
• vary the individual energy of each time adjusted data block such that all corresponding adjusted data blocks of said adjusted traces are similar;
• and
• generate a zero offset trace for said common midpoint.