Sub-basalt seismic imaging using optical-to-acoustic model building and wave equation datuming processing

The presence of highly heterogeneous basalt layers has a detrimental effect on seismic imaging of underlying structures. Due to the prevalence of basalt, the challenge of imaging below basalts impinges on a broad spectrum of geological problems, from hydrocarbon exploration to volcano seismology. Both internal basalt characteristics and rough interfaces can degrade the sub-basalt image quality. In this paper we investigate the effects of both internal and surface heterogeneity on the wavefield. Using highly heterogeneous models of basalts derived from optical imagery and borehole sonic logs, combined with wave simulations to generate synthetic data, we explore the causes of poor sub-basalt imagery. We establish the significant role that surface roughness plays in the imagery problem and demonstrate, through a novel application of wave equation datuming, how to suppress its effect. The methodology demonstrated herein may be applicable in any environment where heterogeneous surface structures/interfaces severely degrade seismic image quality.