Windowed Spectral Blueing in Frequency Limited Seismic Ensemble: a Bandwidth Enhancement of Post-Stack Seismic

Abstract As the oil and gas exploration endeavour concentrates on stratigraphic traps, old existing data is being revisited and reprocessed to map this potential. Footprints on seismic traces are a common undesired characteristic caused by seismic data merging. Merging two seismic datasets often focuses on target level resolution. With different vintages, re-acquisition of identical fields always aims to improve resolution or target upside potential. Seismic preconditioning becomes a required step to increase bandwidth and resolution. This study proposes a strategy for improving seismic resolution in general and eliminating footprints in outdated post-stack seismic data that is commonly available in exploration or abandoned fields. Seismic is split into three ensemble groups by limiting the frequency to lower, middle, and higher classes using the signal envelope. Whitening is then applied to each ensemble to re-balance the energy level of a chosen reference from the data in order to maintain the amplitude preservation. Each ensemble undergoes spectral blueing, in which the low amplitude is strengthened to fit the signal envelope. The use of windowed spectral blueing in a frequency limited seismic ensemble resulted in reduced seismic footprints and improved reflector continuity. Bandwidth-wise, the range of frequency is expanded, resulting in an alternative way for producing more broadband seismic from older vintage. Thus, supporting enhanced oil recovery spirit by utilizing the old data to reach its peak potential.