Method and apparatus for true relative amplitude correction of seismic data for normal moveout stretch effects

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for arriving at true relative amplitude destretched seismic traces from stretched seismic traces. The method 5 compensates for offset varying reflection interference effects due to normal moveout. Stretch factors p and also input spectra are determined for NMOR stretched seismic traces. Estimates are then made of stretched wavelet spectra from the input spectra. A destretched wavelet spectra is then obtained. Shaping correction factors are determined by taking the ratio of the destretched wavelet spectra to the stretched 10 wavelet spectra and are applied to the input spectra of the stretched traces to arrive at a destretched trace spectra. True relative amplitude scaling factors are computed by taking the ratio of a true relative amplitude property of the destretched wavelet spectra to a corresponding true relative amplitude property of the stretched wavelet spectra. Finally, the true relative amplitude scaling factors are applied to the destretched trace 15 spectra to arrive at true relative amplitude destretched seismic traces. - 32 -