A Comparison of TTI Imaging Algorithms on a WAZ Dataset from the Gulf of Mexico

We will demonstrate the application of a range of 3D migration algorithms to a wide-azimuth (WAZ) dataset from the Gulf of Mexico. All algorithms are implemented for media with tilted transverse anisotropy (TTI) and are fully WAZ compliant working either in the shot-profile domain or on vector offset volumes. We will compare Kirchhoff, beam, one-way wavefield extrapolation (WEM) and reverse-time migration (RTM). Each migration method has its unique features and strengths that can be exploited for fast and accurate imaging of complex structures. This provides reduced cycle time for the complete project sequence from model building to final image. We find that a complete TTI imaging ‘toolbox’ really is the preferred solution for delivering optimal imaging of the 3D WAZ data while reducing the cycle time of the project.