Understanding elastic wavefield recording by detailed 3D survey planning and simulation

Elastic modelling of seismic wave propagation must be pursued with different algorithms to fully understand all aspects of the recorded information. Modern seismic survey planning will utilize a suite of modelling tools, each incorporating the full acquisition system response for any given survey. Therefore, the user can discriminate between acquisition and Earth effects upon the data. Survey planning no longer simply estimates the basic configuration of the acquisition equipment. Every facet of the seismic method must be replicated and understood. Then the data implications of any given acquisition approach (streamer, land, ocean bottom sensor, vertical cable) can be understood and treated throughout the entire processing and interpretation workflow. In particular, the ability to accurately model the Earth reflectivity sequence is critical for AVO, reservoir characterization and time-lapse studies. After summarizing the main modelling algorithms, we describe their integrated use within survey planning exercises, with emphasis upon addressing the elastic properties of the recorded seismic wavefield.