Method and system for determining P-wave and S-wave velocities from multi-component seismic data by joint velocity inversion processing

A method for seismic exploration, comprising:

• actuating a seismic energy source proximate the earth's surface;
• detecting seismic energy proximate the earth's surface using multiple component seismic detectors;
• estimating an interval velocity of P waves from earth's surface to a first reflector from P wave arrivals in the detected seismic energy;
• estimating an interval ratio of P wave to S wave velocity from earth's surface to the first reflector from P-S wave arrivals in the detected seismic energy;
• estimating an interval S wave velocity from the estimated interval P wave velocity and interval ratio;
• determining a depth from the earth's surface to the first reflector using each of the P wave and S wave estimated interval velocities;
• and
• balancing the depth to the first reflector estimated using each of the P wave and S wave estimated interval velocities.

A system for determining compressional (P) wave and shear (S) wave velocities from seismic data acquired using multiple component receivers, comprising:

• means for estimating an interval velocity of P waves from earth's surface to a first reflector from P wave arrivals in the seismic data;
• means for estimating an interval ratio of P wave to S wave velocity from earth's surface to the first reflector from P-S wave arrivals in the seismic data;
• means for estimating an interval S wave velocity from the estimated interval P wave velocity and interval ratio;
• means for determining a depth from the earth's surface to the first reflector using each of the P wave and S wave estimated interval velocities;
• and means for balancing the depths to the first reflector estimated using each of the P wave and S wave estimated interval velocities.