Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Velocity Determination from Seismic Reflection Data

  • Chapter
Developments in Geophysical Exploration Methods—1

Summary

The determination of the gross velocity distribution in the ground from CDP reflection data depends primarily on the determination of the velocity producing maximum coherency in the stacked data. This stacking velocity is a mathematical quantity which has no physical significance. The interval and average velocities describe meaningful physical parameters and are related to the maximum coherency stacking velocity through the r.m.s. velocity. The relationship between these velocities is illustrated. The limitations to the horizontal resolution of the velocity tool are discussed.

The CDP-derived velocities are subject to numerous errors; some errors are generated during the acquisition and processing stages and during the wave propagation in the ground, others arise from geological complexities or are subjective in nature, etc. These errors are discussed and methods of their estimation and, where appropriate, of their treatment are given. The main applications of the CDP-derived velocities are briefly reviewed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. GREEN, C. H., Geophysics, 3, p. 295, 1938.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. TELFORD, W. M., GELDART, L. P., SHERIFF, R. E. and KEYS, D. A., Applied geophysics, p. 352, Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Dix, C. H., Geophysics, 20, p. 68, 1955.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. MAYNE, W. H., Geophysics, 27, p. 927, 1962.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. DURBAUM, H., Geophys. Prospecting, 2, p. 151, 1954.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. KREY, TH., Erdol Kohle, 7, p. 8, 1954.

    Google Scholar 

  7. HANSEN, R. F., Bol. Inform. Petrol., 24, p. 237, 1947.

    Google Scholar 

  8. GARDNER, G. H. F., FRENCH, W. S. and MATZUK, T., Geophysics, 39, p. 811, 1974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. DOHERTY, S. M. and CLAERBOUT, J. F., Geophysics, 41, p. 850, 1976.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. TANER, M. T. and KOEHLER, F., Geophysics, 34, p. 859, 1969.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. SHAH, P. M. and LEVIN, F. K., Geophysics, 38, p. 643, 1973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. AL-CHALABI, M., Geophys. Prospecting, 21, p. 783, 1973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. SCHNEIDER, W. A. and BACKUS, M. M., Geophysics, 33, p. 105, 1968.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. AL-CHALABI, M., Geophys. Prospecting, 22, p. 458, 1974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. ALCHALABI, M., BP Research Centre Report EPR/Rl 174, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  16. LUCAS, A. L., BP Research Centre Report EPRITNXQLL, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  17. CRESSMAN, K. S., Geophysics, 33, p. 399, 1968.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. LEVIN, F. K., Geophysics, 36, p. 510, 1971.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. SHAH, P. M., Geophysics, 38, p. 812, 1973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. KREY, TH., Geophys. Prospecting, 24, p. 52, 1976.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. HUBRAL, P., Geophysics, 41, p. 233, 1976.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. HUBRAL, P., Geophys. Prospecting, 24, p. 478, 1976.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. SHERIFF, R. E., Encyclopedic dictionary of exploration geophysics, p. 228, SEG, Tulsa, Okla, USA, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  24. GAROTTA, R. and MICHON, D., Geophys. Prospecting, 15, p. 584, 1967.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. NEIDELL, N. S. and TANER, M. T., Geophysics, 36, p. 482, 1971.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. ROBINSON, J. C., Geophysics, 34, p. 330, 1969.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Bois, P. and LA PORTE, M., Geophys. Prospecting, 18, p. 489, 1970.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. SHERWOOD, J. W. C. and POE, P. H., Geophysics, 37, p. 769, 1972.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. AL-CHALABI, M., BP Research Centre Report EPRJRW, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  30. LEVIN, F. K., Geophysics, 38, p. 771, 1973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  31. ALCHALABI, M., BP Research Centre Report EPR/TNÌ02Ì, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  32. LUCAS, A. L., BP Research Centre Report EPR/RÌ223, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  33. LUCAS, A. L., BP Research Centre Report EPR/TNÌ021, 1974. (See also RENICK, H., with appendix by Lucas, A. L., Geophys. Prospecting, 22, p. 54, 1974.)

    Google Scholar 

  34. O’BRIEN, P.N.S. and LUCAS, A. L., BP Research Centre Report EPR/RÌ23Ì, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  35. LINDSEY, J. P., Geophysics, 35, p. 461, 1970.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. FITCH, A. A., Seismic reflection interpretation (eds. Anstey, N. A. and O’Brien, P. N. S.) Gebrüder Bornträger, Berlin, Germany, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  37. BODOKY, T. and SZEIDOVITZ, ZS., Geoph. Trans. Hungarian Geoph. Inst., 20, p. 47, 1972.

    Google Scholar 

  38. SCHNEIDER, W. A., Geophysics, 36, p. 1043, 1971.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. EVERETT, J. E., Geophys. Prospecting, 22, p. 122, 1974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. O’DOHERTY, R. F. and ANSTEY, N. A., Geophys. Prospecting, 19, p. 430, 1971.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. SPENCER, T. W., EDWARDS, C. M. and SONNAD, J. R., Geophysics, 42, p. 393, 1977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. LEVIN, F. K., Geophysics, 42, p. 1043, 1977.

    Google Scholar 

  43. DUNKIN, J. W. and LEVIN, F. K., Geophysics, 38, 635, 1973.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. WEATHERBY, B., BORN, W. T. and HARDING, R. L., Bull. AAPG, 18, p. 106, 1934.

    Google Scholar 

  45. BACKUS, G. E., Geophys. Res., 67, p. 4427, 1962.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. UHRIG, L. F. and VAN MELLE, F. A., Geophysics, 20, p. 774, 1955.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. THOMAS, J. H., BP Research Centre Report EPR/TN 1068, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  48. VAN DER STOEP, D. M., Geophysics, 31, p. 900, 31, 1966.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. SPENCER, T. W. and BHAMBANI, D. J., Geophysics, 40, p. 426, 1975.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  50. LEVIN, F. K. and SHAH, P. M. Geophysics, 42, p. 957, 1977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. DINSTEL, W. L., Geophysics, 36, p. 415 (with editorial comment, F. K. Levin), 1971.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  52. TOOLEY, R. D., SPENCER, T. W. and SAGOCI, H. F., Reflection and transmission of plane compressional waves, AD429, US Dept of Commerce, 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  53. AL-CHALABI, M., BP Research Centre Report EPR/TN 1012, 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  54. MILLER, M. K., Geophysics, 39, p. 427, 1974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  55. TANER, M. T., KOEHLER, F. and ALHILALI, K. A., Geophysics, 39, p. 441, 1974.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  56. SHAW, I. L., BP Research Centre Report EPR/RU93, 1974.

    Google Scholar 

  57. TANER, M. T., COOK, E. E. and NEIDELL, N. S., Geophysics, 35, p. 551, 1970.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. FRENCH, W. S., Geophysics, 40, p. 961, 1975.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  59. TUCKER, P. M. and YORSTON, H. S., Pitfalls in seismic interpretation, SEG, Tulsa, Okla, USA, 1973.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  60. Tegland, E. R., 23rd Annual Midwestern Regional Meeting, SEG and AAPG preprint, Dallas, Texas, USA, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  61. COOK, E. E. and TANER, M. T., Oil Gas J., 67, p. 159, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  62. Pennebaker, E. S., Jr., SYMP. GEOPHYSICAL SOCIETY OF HOUSTON, SPE PREPRINT 2165, 1969

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. M. Al-Chalabi

    Present address: British Petroleum Exploratie Maatschappij Nederland B.V., Catsheuvel 61, 2617 KA, The Hague, Holland

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The British Petroleum Co. Limited, London, UK

    M. Al-Chalabi

Authors
  1. M. Al-Chalabi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Formerly of Seismograph Service (England) Limited, Keston, Kent, UK

    A. A. Fitch (Consultant) (Consultant)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1979 Applied Science Publishers Ltd

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Al-Chalabi, M. (1979). Velocity Determination from Seismic Reflection Data. In: Fitch, A.A. (eds) Developments in Geophysical Exploration Methods—1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9224-5_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-9224-5_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-009-9226-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-009-9224-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation