P-Wave-Only Inversion of Challenging Walkaway VSP Data for Detailed Estimation of Local Anisotropy and Reservoir Parameters: A Case Study of Seismic Processing in Northern Poland

• Main Authors: Mateusz Zaręba, Tomasz Danek, Michał Stefaniuk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-04-01
• Series: Energies
• Subjects: anisotropy; VSP; unconventional; hydrocarbon; inversion; polarization
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/8/2061

In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of walkaway vertical seismic profiling (VSP) data, which can be used to obtain Thomsen parameters using P-wave-only inversion. Data acquisition took place in difficult field conditions, which influenced the quality of the data. Therefore, this paper also shows a seismic data processing scheme that allows the estimation of correct polarization angles despite poor input data quality. Moreover, we showed that it is possible to obtain reliable and detailed values of Thomsen’s anisotropy parameters for data that are challenging due to extremely difficult field conditions during acquisition and the presence of an overburden of salt and anhydrite (Zechstein formation). This complex is known for its strong seismic signal-attenuating properties. We designed a special processing workflow with a signal-matching procedure that allows reliable estimation of polarization angles for low-quality data. Additionally, we showed that P-wave-only inversion for the estimation of local anisotropy parameters can be used as valuable additional input for detailed interpretation of geological media, even if anisotropy is relatively low.