Method and system for removing the effect of the source wavelet from seismic data

Abstract

The invention provides a method and system for seismic exploration of a body by applying, to the body acoustic energy producing a source wavelet and detecting the response of the body thereto to produce seismic traces. According to the method, at least two receivers are located within the body to output electrical signals corresponding to (1) the pressure field produced at a particular depth in the body as a result of the application of the acoustic energy, and (2) the pressure gradient produced at the depth in the body as a result of the application of the acoustic energy. The electrical signals are processed to estimate the source wavelet and thereby to deconvolve the detected response producing deghosted and spiked seismic traces. The two receivers may be two pressure sensors located at two different depths below the point of application of the acoustic energy to the body, two particle-velocity sensors located at two different depths below the point of application of the acoustic energy to the body, or a pressure sensor and a particle-velocity sensor both located at the same depth below the point of application of the acoustic energy to the body.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.