Optimal Deghosting Algorithm - A Robust Deghosting Approach for Over/Under Towed-streamer Data

Over/under acquisition provides broadband data at all frequencies by combining the advantages of shallow and deep cable depths. These benefits are achieved by using data processing algorithms that combine data from the over/under cables into a single dataset. However, the conventional algorithms used for this purpose do not consider the presence of noise. The optimal deghosting (ODG) algorithm is proposed for processing the noisy over/under towed-streamer data. The new method estimates the statistics of the noise on over and under streamers and minimizes the residual noise on the deghosted data in a least-squares sense. We show on a real data example that the ODG method may provide significantly quieter deghosting results, especially in very noisy environments. Hence, by optimally combining the data from both streamers, the ODG method results in a broad bandwidth with enhanced low-frequency response and optimal signal-to-noise ratio.