3D KINEMATIC INVERSION FROM A SET OF LINE PROFILES

In the case of 3D multilayered structures the 2D interval velocity analysis may be inaccurate. This fact is illustrated by synthetic examples. The method proposed solves the 3D inverse problem within the scope of the ray approach. The solution, i.e. the interval velocities and the reflection interface position, is obtained using data from conventional 2D line profiles arbitrarily located and from normal incidence time maps. Although the input information is essentially limited, the method presented reveals only minor biased velocity estimates. In order to implement the proposed 3D inversion method, we developed a processing procedure. The procedure performs the evaluation of reflection time and ray parameters along line profiles, 3D interval velocity estimation, and time‐to‐depth map migration. Tools to stabilize the 3D inversion are investigated. The application of the 3D inversion technique to synthetic and real data is compared with results of the 2D inversion.