Low-cost Finite-difference Scheme for Simulation of Seismic Wave Propagation in Models with Anisotropic Formations

Anisotropy is widely-used nowadays in seismic processing as it may characterize fractured reservoirs, pre-stressed state of formations etc. However, numerical simulation of seismic wave propagation in anisotropic media requires the use of advanced, computationally-intense algorithms. Meanwhile anisotropic formations take relatively small part, several percents, of the model. In this situation it is reasonable to develop a finite-difference algorithm coupling the anisotropy-oriented scheme with efficient standard staggered grid, or Virieux, scheme. So, that the computationally-intense algorithm is used only inside the anisotropic formations, while the Virieux scheme is used in the major isotropic part of the model. The coupled scheme may be almost as efficient as Virieux scheme but providing full detailed knowledge about wave propagation in anisotropic formations.