Examining cost-effective ways to model near surface complexities using high-resolution seismic data

Accurate correction for topography and near surface complexities of surface seismic data from the Arabian Peninsula requires accurate modeling of the near surface and a proper algorithm for the correction to make use of the model. Through numerical modeling we show that a reasonably accurate shallow velocity model can be obtained from applying conventional horizon-based velocity analysis on shallow high resolution seismic data. The model proves to be effective in correcting the conventional deep seismic image using either the simple static shifts or wave-equation datuming. We also present a novel idea to acquire high resolution shallow seismic data in a cost-effective way. The novelty of the approach is in the spacing of the receivers in which v/e use conventional acquisition receiver spacing to acquire the high resolution data. A real data experiment from the Arabian Peninsula demonstrates our ability to acquire and process such data at coarser acquisition spacing.