Seismic data processing systems and methods

A computer programmed to perform a seismic data processing method comprising:

• providing a common-azimuth input data set for a geophysical data processing volume of interest;
• providing a velocity model for the geophysical data processing volume;
• applying an offset antialiasing operator to the input data set;
• and
• performing a recursive wave-equation downward-continuation of the common-azimuth input data set to a plurality of successive common-azimuth surfaces.

A computer-readable medium encoding instructions to perform a seismic data processing method comprising:

• providing a common-azimuth input data set for a geophysical data processing volume of interest;
• providing a velocity model for the geophysical data processing volume;
• applying an offset antialiasing operator to the input data set;
• and
• performing a recursive wave-equation downward-continuation of the common-azimuth input data set to a plurality of successive common-azimuth surfaces.

A seismic data processing apparatus comprising:

• means for providing a common-azimuth input data set for a geophysical data processing volume of interest;
• means for providing a velocity model for the geophysical data processing volume;
• means for applying an offset antialiasing operator to the input data set;
• and
• means for performing a recursive wave-equation downward-continuation of the common-azimuth input data set to a plurality of successive common-azimuth surfaces.

A computer-implemented common azimuth wave-equation seismic data processing method comprising:

• providing a common-azimuth input data set for a geophysical data processing volume of interest;
• providing a velocity model for the geophysical data processing volume;
• applying an offset antialiasing operator to the input data set;
• and
• performing a recursive wave-equation downward-continuation of the common-azimuth input data set to a plurality of successive common-azimuth surfaces,
• wherein performing the recursive downward continuation comprises:
• adding a plurality of reciprocal traces to the data at each common-azimuth surface around zero offset;
• selecting a depth-dependence of an offset range employed in the recursive downward continuation;
• selecting a frequency dependence of a depth step size employed in the recursive downward continuation;
• and
• selecting a frequency dependence of a cutoff depth employed in the recursive downward continuation.

A computer-implemented common azimuth wave-equation seismic data processing method comprising:

• providing a common-azimuth input data set for a geophysical data processing volume of interest;
• providing a velocity model for the geophysical data processing volume;
• and
• performing a recursive wave-equation downward-continuation of the common-azimuth input data set to a plurality of successive common-azimuth surfaces, wherein performing the recursive downward continuation comprises selecting a frequency dependence of a depth step size employed in the recursive downward continuation.

A computer-implemented narrow azimuth wave-equation seismic data processing method comprising:

• providing an input data set for a geophysical data processing volume of interest;
• providing a velocity model for the geophysical data processing volume;
• applying an offset antialiasing operator to the input data set;
• and
• performing a recursive wave-equation downward-continuation of the input data set to a plurality of successive narrow azimuth surfaces.

A computer programmed to perform a seismic data processing method comprising:

• providing an input data set for a geophysical data processing volume of interest;
• providing a velocity model for the geophysical data processing volume;
• applying an offset antialiasing operator to the input data set;
• and
• performing a recursive wave-equation downward-continuation of the input data set to a plurality of successive narrow azimuth surfaces.

A computer-readable medium encoding instructions to perform a seismic data processing method comprising:

• providing an input data set for a geophysical data processing volume of interest;
• providing a velocity model for the geophysical data processing volume;
• applying an offset antialiasing operator to the input data set;
• and
• performing a recursive wave-equation downward-continuation of the input data set to a plurality of successive narrow azimuth surfaces.

A seismic data processing apparatus comprising:

• means for providing an input data set for a geophysical data processing volume of interest;
• means for providing a velocity model for the geophysical data processing volume;
• means for applying an offset antialiasing operator to the input data set;
• and
• means for performing a recursive wave-equation downward-continuation of the input data set to a plurality of successive narrow azimuth surfaces.

A computer-implemented narrow azimuth wave-equation migration seismic data processing method comprising:

• providing an input data set for a geophysical data processing volume of interest;
• providing a velocity model for the geophysical data processing volume;
• and
• performing a recursive wave-equation downward-continuation of the input data set to a plurality of successive narrow azimuth surfaces, wherein performing the recursive downward continuation comprises selecting a frequency dependence of a depth step size employed in the recursive downward continuation.