Simultaneous Multi-vintage Multi-parameter Time-lapse Matching

4D matching is an important processing step which is repeatedly used within a time-lapse processing sequence in order to remove residual amplitude, time and phase differences between vintages of seismic data. In this paper we introduce a new matching algorithm that minimizes the global NRMS between an arbitrary number of vintages and thus automatically achieves the best possible overall repeatability in one single matching step. The algorithm can work in the time- or frequency domain and simultaneously finds all matching parameters for all vintages. By using constraints a unique solution to this non-linear optimisation problem is found without the necessity to define an upfront reference vintage. This minimises the risk of propagating artefacts which may be present on one of the vintages to all other datasets. We show two example applications of the new algorithm. Firstly, we use the new algorithm for pre-imaging sail-line consistent removal of acquisition related artefacts (destriping) of multiple vintages. Secondly, we present examples of multi-vintage matching, as applicable to 4D residual local matching on imaged data.