High-resolution Measurements of S-wave Attenuation within the Weathering Layer of an Alberta Heavy Oil Field

This work uses data form a permanent monitoring 3D 3C seismic experiment at the Peace River heavy oil field in Alberta, Canada, to quantify S-wave seismic attenuation (Q) for the top 12 meters of overburden. The Q-values are measured at each 3C receiver location from the spectral ratios of up-going and down-going S-wave refraction energy. These up-going and down-going wave fields can be estimated from raw vertical and radial component field data. Most Q-values range between 8 and 22 with a median value of 13.5. There appears to be a general North-South trend with lower Q-values and therefore more S-wave attenuation to the North where muskeg-type soils (swamp) dominate.