Explicit Wavefield Extrapolation Using Projections Onto Convex Sets with Application to the SEG/EAGE Salt Model

In this paper, explicit depth extrapolation operators are designed using the method of Projections onto Convex Sets (POCS). Resulting migration operators are applied to the challenging SEG/EAGE Salt model data. The migrated result is compared with images obtained via extrapolators based on modified Taylor series, and with other standard techniques such as the Phase Shift Plus Interpolation (PSPI) and the Split-Step Fourier methods. The POCS algorithm provides very stable depth extrapolators. The resulting migrated section is of comparable quality to the expensive PSPI result, and visibly outperforms the other two techniques. Both strong dips and sub-salt structures are imaged clearly.