A new approach to the processing of seismic materials by the refracted wave method

Abstract

The article describes a new methodology for processing seismic data using the refracted-wave method. All seismic data are proposed to be processed on the basis of record migration (studying velocities at boundaries and in bedrock, recording displacements, and isolating useful events). The migration process involves wave imaging of all refracted boundaries of any shape using the kinematic and dynamic properties of the refracted waves. The result of data processing is a dynamic seismic section, similar to the section of the reflected wave method. Its geological interpretation uses not only kinematic but also dynamic properties of refracted waves. This makes it possible to predict not only the structural plan of deposits, but also their rock composition. The proposed method of processing has been tested both on model data and on real data of seismic refraction waves on the geophysical profile in the Barents Sea and on the Caspian Sea shelf. Examples are given of the processing of refracted wave data compared to the reflected wave section.