Keys to Robust Reflection-Based Full-Waveform Inversion

Reflection based full waveform inversion (RFWI) has numerous approaches that employs a waveform-fitting-driven inversion process to build a kinematically sound background velocity model with reflections, especially targeting the deep regions beyond the reach of the conventional full waveform inversion (FWI) penetration. In this paper, we present and emphasize on the most essential components of the robust RFWI strategies by comparing several RFWI implementations developed in the industry while constructing our RFWI solution that has been successfully applied in production. These experiments with both synthetic and real data demonstrate the critical role of these key RFWI components to robustly construct kinematically correct models especially in the deep part of the complex geology as for example subsalt velocity field.