Integrated Analysis and Inversion of 3D Refraction Travel Times

An integrated approach to first-break travel-time analysis and refraction statics inversion was developed. Pre-inversion travel-time analysis and modeling ensures consistent manual and automatic travel-time picking and also helps detecting errors in source-receiver patterns. By utilizing the τ-p parameterization, an initial subsurface model is automatically derived from the travel times and is further refined by iterative, non-linear travel-time tomography. Both surface-consistent and non-surface consistent statics are derived. Integration in a seismic processing system allows seamless interaction with other imaging operations, broad customization of the analysis, and incorporation of other data