Method and system for reflection-based travel time inversion using segment dynamic image warping

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

obtaining, by a computer processor, seismic data acquired in a time-domain for a subterranean region of interest;

obtaining, by the computer processor, a property model for the subterranean region of interest;

determining, by the computer processor, based on the seismic data and the property model, a time shift between predicted data and the acquired seismic data using a multi-dimension algorithm to:

apply windowed polynomial fitting for signal preconditioning using predicted data and the acquired seismic data as inputs,

align the preconditioned signals of interest based on point-wise segment-to-segment matching for each segment, and

include a threshold for the time shift in each dimension;

determining, by the computer processor, an adjoint source operator using the time shift and one-way wave equation;

updating, by the computer processor, the property model using a gradient solver in a data-domain reflection traveltime inversion;

outputting, by the computer processor, the updated property model for the subterranean region of interest; and

generating, by the computer processor, a seismic image for the subterranean region of interest using the updated property model.

2. The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the updated property model is used as an initial model for full waveform inversion to update short-wavelength components of the property model.

3. The method of claim 1 ,

determining, using the computer processor, a presence of hydrocarbons in the geological region of interest using the seismic image.

4. The method of claim 1 ,

wherein a forward migration operator is based on one-way wave equation for acoustic waves, and

wherein the adjoint source operator is based on one-way wave equation for acoustic waves.

5. The method of claim 4 ,

wherein the adjoint source operator generates a plurality of adjoint wavefields based on the seismic data,

wherein the forward migration operator generates a plurality of forward wavefields based on the seismic data, and

wherein the forward migration operator generates predicted data based on the seismic data and a reflectivity model.

6. The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the property model is updated iteratively until a misfit function corresponding to a time shift difference between predicted data and acquired seismic data converges to a predetermined criterion.

7. The method of claim 1 ,

wherein the gradient solver determines a residual value based on an output of the misfit function, and

wherein the property model is updated based on the residual value.

8. The method of claim 1 ,

obtaining a velocity model regarding the geological region of interest,

wherein the property model is a reflection model, and

wherein the property model is updated using the velocity model.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

acquiring, using a seismic surveying system, the seismic data regarding the geological region of interest; and

generating the velocity model using the seismic data and a seismic inversion operation.

10. A system, comprising:

a seismic surveying system comprising a seismic source and a plurality of seismic receivers; and

a seismic interpreter comprising a computer processor, wherein the seismic interpreter is coupled to the seismic surveying system, the seismic interpreter comprising functionality for:

obtaining seismic data acquired in a time-domain for a subterranean region of interest;

obtaining a property model for the subterranean region of interest;

determining, based on the seismic data and the property model, a time shift between predicted data and acquired seismic data using a multi-dimension algorithm to:

apply windowed polynomial fitting for signal preconditioning using predicted data and acquired seismic data as inputs,

align the preconditioned signals of interest based on point-wise segment-to-segment matching for each segment, and

include a threshold for the time shift in each dimension;

determining an adjoint source operator using the time shift and one-way wave equation;

updating the property model using a gradient solver in a data-domain reflection traveltime inversion;

outputting the updated property model for the subterranean region of interest; and

generating a seismic image for the subterranean region of interest using the updated property model.

11. The system of claim 10 ,

wherein a forward migration operator is based on one-way wave equation for acoustic waves, and

wherein the adjoint source operator is based on one-way wave equation for acoustic waves.

12. The system of claim 11 ,

wherein the adjoint source operator generates a plurality of adjoint wavefields based on the seismic data,

wherein the forward migration operator generates a plurality of forward wavefields based on the seismic data, and

wherein the forward migration operator generates predicted data based on the seismic data and a reflectivity model.

13. The system of claim 10 ,

wherein the property model is updated iteratively until a misfit function corresponding to a time shift difference between predicted data and acquired seismic data converges to a predetermined criterion.

14. The system of claim 10 ,

wherein the gradient solver determines a residual value based on an output of the misfit function, and

wherein the property model is updated based on the residual value.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by a computer processor, the instructions comprising functionality for:

obtaining seismic data acquired in a time-domain for a subterranean region of interest;

obtaining a property model for the subterranean region of interest;

determining based on the seismic data and the property model, a time shift between predicted data and the acquired seismic data using a multi-dimension algorithm to:

apply windowed polynomial fitting for signal preconditioning using predicted data and the acquired seismic data as inputs,

align the preconditioned signals of interest based on point-wise segment-to-segment matching for each segment, and

include a threshold for the time shift in each dimension;

determining an adjoint source operator using the time shift and one-way wave equation;

updating the property model using a gradient solver in a data-domain reflection traveltime inversion;

outputting the updated property model for the subterranean region of interest; and

generating a seismic image for the subterranean region of interest using the updated property model.