A Focus on the Elements of Successful Onshore 3D Imaging

Successful imaging of onshore three-dimensional (3D) seismic data requires the interaction of innovative field design, cost-effective acquisition and. importantly. an approach to data processing which truly comprehends the 3D nature of the data. Much attention was focussed, in the late 1980's, on the key aspects of geometrically imaging 3D seismic: 3D migration, both partial pre-stack and post-stack, and the associated definition of the 3D velocity field. While these elements are essential components of an imaged solution especially for onshore 3D seismic, they are only part of the total equation. Without the complementary support of 3D signal enhancement tools for 3D noise elimination and 3D surface consistent processes, the later geometric imaging processes would fail to produce the desired result. This paper discusses both aspects of a total 3D processing solution with examples to highlight tools for 3D noise elimination, 3D surface consistent coupling compensation as well as 3D velocity and migration and describes a comprehensive sequence for optimum 3D onshore imaged information.