Full-Waveform Inversion

Overcome your imaging challenges

With full-waveform inversion (FWI) solutions for every exploration, appraisal, or production environment, we can create highly detailed velocity models that honor the geologic structures in your reservoir. Not only do our FWI algorithms work with all acquisition geometries, but they also complement the low frequencies inherent to broadband seismic data. The result is a high-fidelity image that enables you to achieve a wide range of subsurface objectives across the E&P life cycle.

Simultaneously solve for anisotropy and velocity

Our multiparameter FWI algorithm simultaneously solves for both velocity and anisotropy in a single inversion. As the velocity field nears convergence, a joint inversion of the velocity and anisotropy fields is applied to the data. This inversion algorithm incorporates both diving and reflection energy to mitigate the nonuniqueness of the solutions caused by the coupling between the vertical velocity and anisotropy field—providing you with a high-resolution velocity model.

Resolve overburden geological features to improve image clarity

In areas where highly absorptive geologic features such as gas pockets dominate the subsurface, our viscoacoustic FWI (QFWI) can simultaneously estimate both a high-resolution velocity field and Q-model. It explicitly separates Q-induced dispersion from amplitude attenuation and compensates for phase dispersion. Q propagation in FWI correctly accounts for phase modulation induced in the propagation of refracted energy and the diving wave zone, providing you with improved geologic detail in the near surface.

Optimize drilling decisions

Our elastic and 4D FWI algorithms help you make better drilling and production decisions. Elastic FWI (EFWI) is applied to ocean bottom seismic (OBS) data. It simultaneously solves for both V_p and V_s, and the velocity fields are validated through elastic RTM (ERTM). When elastic properties are provided, EFWI can be used to detect gas, sand, and shale zones, helping you select optimal drilling locations.

Monitor reservoir fluid migration

During the production stage, 4D FWI is used to monitor reservoir fluid migration. Typical 4D FWI workflows use identical processing flows to identify image differences between baseline and monitor datasets. Our approach instead creates a baseline model using traditional FWI workflows that is then used as a constraint for the monitor model update. This ensures slight differences at the reservoir are captured in the right place and shape. Changes in the reservoir are detected through model parameter changes rather than simple data differences, mitigating the risk of misclassifying differences caused by survey geometry to fluid migration.

Achieve high-resolution earth models with well-constrained FWI

Well-constrained FWI uses geological information beyond what is available from seismic data to achieve model updates. Our approach includes building an a priori model from well information to derive a model misfit term. The misfit term is incorporated into the objective function and used to constrain the model update and produce a velocity field consistent with the recorded well data.