In some embodiments, a time migration diffraction imaging method includes computing a pseudo-depth characterizing a subsurface seismic event by scaling a vertical traveltime using a scaling velocity. A specularity value for a subsurface seismic event is determined according to the pseudo-depth, and a contribution weight for a corresponding seismic trace amplitude is determined according to the specularity value. The specularity value may be determined according to an angle between a traveltime gradient and a normal to a local reflector surface. A diffraction image is generated according to a weighted sum of seismic trace amplitudes. The weighted sum attenuates the contribution of specular events relative to diffraction events.

A data visualization method for visualizing data acquired along a non-linear acquisition path or sail line. The data consists of CMP lines that follow the non-linear acquisition path. The data is arranged such that the in-lines in the binning grid follow the acquisition path and the cross-lines are perpendicular, or near perpendicular, to the in-lines, the method comprising the steps of: creating a binning grid covering the CMP lines of the acquired data, the binning grid comprising a straight portion and a curved portion; calculating bins for each portion; loading the seismic data into the a visualization software; and creating a set of linked windows, wherein a field of view of the different set of linked windows is synchronized, and wherein a marker is provided to visualize the field of view of data in at least two of the linked windows.

A method is described for analysis of subsurface data including the use of physics-based modeling and experimental design that allows calculation of probabilities of physical subsurface properties. The method may include calculations of key controlling parameters. The method may include using multiple dimension scaling. The method may be executed by a computer system.

A method is described for analysis of subsurface data including the use of physics-based modeling and experimental design that allows calculation of probabilities of physical subsurface properties. The method may include calculations of key controlling parameters. The method may include using multiple dimension scaling. The method may be executed by a computer system.

A seismic survey method comprising a vessel, a seismic acquisition system for collecting geophysical seismic data, a marine navigation system for generating positioning data from the location of the vessel and the location of the seismic acquisition system, a seismic data storage engaged with the seismic acquisition system for collecting and storing the seismic data and a seismic data processor engaged with said seismic data storage for seismic processing of the seismic data. The seismic data is acquired along a non-linear acquisition path or sail line. The data consists of CMP lines that follow the non-linear acquisition path. A binning grid covering the CMP lines of the acquired data such that the in-lines follow parallel to the acquisition path and the cross-lines are perpendicular to the in-lines is created. The binning grid comprises a straight portion and a curved portion. Bins for each portion of the binning grid is calculated.

Seismic image filtering machines, systems, program products, and computer implemented methods are provided to generate a filtered seismic image responsive to filtered seismic image data generated by attenuating coherent seismic noise from surface waves of an unfiltered wavefield constructed from unfiltered seismic image data through a single downward extrapolation of the unfiltered wavefield using a plurality of nonstationary convolution operators to perform localized filtering at each of a plurality of spatial locations of the unfiltered wavefield. Various embodiments, for example, can beneficially handle strong lateral velocity variations thus making various embodiments effective tools to remove complicated coherent seismic noise which is typically in the form of exponentially decaying evanescent waves. Embodiments of the present invention, for example, can use, as a part of the filtering mechanism, specially designed nonstationary convolution operators that are implemented in the space-frequency domain as nonstationary filters.

Seismic image filtering machines, systems, program products, and computer implemented methods are provided to generate a filtered seismic image responsive to filtered seismic image data generated by attenuating coherent seismic noise from surface waves of an unfiltered wavefield constructed from unfiltered seismic image data through a single downward extrapolation of the unfiltered wavefield using a plurality of nonstationary convolution operators to perform localized filtering at each of a plurality of spatial locations of the unfiltered wavefield. Various embodiments, for example, can beneficially handle strong lateral velocity variations thus making various embodiments effective tools to remove complicated coherent seismic noise which is typically in the form of exponentially decaying evanescent waves. Embodiments of the present invention, for example, can use, as a part of the filtering mechanism, specially designed nonstationary convolution operators that are implemented in the space-frequency domain as nonstationary filters.

Embodiments of methods of creating and interpreting animated mosaics of multiple seismic surveys are disclosed herein. Volumes from individual seismic surveys may be flattened in each seismic cube. Animations/movies may then be produced by capturing a series of z-slice movie frames through each of the flattened volumes. The individual sets of movie frames are geo-referenced to a basemap image of well locations using appropriate composition software. Where overlap exists between surveys, the surveys are prioritized and lower priority volumes are masked by higher priority volumes. This technique provides a matched, unbroken image across overlapping volumes at each stratigraphic layer. As the movie or animation plays, a moving arrow pointer shows the vertical position of the current movie frame on a stratigraphic section consisting of a seismic reference section that is optionally labelled with suitable regional sequence names and other stratigraphic zonation data.

A method for displaying slowness data after defects of anisotropy and heterogeneity have been removed includes visually depicting a slowness image on a computer monitor in which the slowness image includes a log of slowness values at a plurality of depths of a wellbore and a plurality of azimuth angles about a periphery of the wellbore. The image is processed via filtering such as with a bandpass filter. The filter may be obtained via fitting a periodic function to the slowness values at each depth or via a selected periodicity value and center angle. A resultant image is displayed.

A method includes generating a seismic shot by a seismic source, the seismic shot directed at a geological subsurface, and receiving, by one or more receivers, a plurality of reflected seismic traces from the seismic shot. The method further includes generating a correlogram of each reflected seismic trace to generate a plurality of correlograms, isolating a coda wave train of each correlogram of the plurality of correlograms, and computing an energy ratio between an energy of the coda wave train of each correlogram and a total energy of a corresponding correlogram of the plurality of correlograms to generate a plurality of energy ratios. The method further includes determining an average of the plurality of energy ratios to generate an average energy ratio of the seismic shot and determining a likelihood of striking a subsurface geohazard when drilling into the geological subsurface based on the average energy ratio.