The Vibroelectric Method - A New Tool for Near-surface Characterisation and Improved Seismic Data Quality

An understanding of the near surface is essential to improve the quality of seismic data by means of improved statics and near-surface models for migration. Recently attention has turned to using non-seismic methods to provide information about the near surface ,but these methods require separate data acquisition programs and the integration of disparate physical measurements. The seismoelectric method promises to enable the acquisition of a near-surface model that can be directly integrated with seismic data without requiring a separate acquisition program. Most seismoelectric data were acquired using low-energy impulsive sources that are inconsistent with commercial seismic surveys. This paper details the results of a test that shows that a vibratory source is suitable for seismoelectric surveys (the ‘vibroelectric’ method). We believe that the vibroelectric method has the potential to become a useful tool in both understanding the near surface and improving seismic data quality at very little additional cost.