Velocity analysis is critical in seismic processing to determine the seismic wave velocities within the Earth's subsurface. Accurate velocity models are essential for converting seismic reflection times into depths, which is crucial for creating precise subsurface images. The process involves analyzing the travel times of seismic waves across different source-receiver offsets to estimate the velocity of the layers through which the waves have traveled.

Semblance analysis is a seismic processing technique used to evaluate the coherence of seismic reflections across multiple traces in a common midpoint (CMP) gather. It helps identify the best-fitting velocity model by measuring how well seismic events align when different velocities are applied. High semblance values indicate strong alignment, suggesting an accurate velocity estimate for the subsurface layers. This method is particularly valuable in velocity analysis and velocity picking, as it provides a quantitative measure to guide the selection of the most appropriate seismic velocities, ultimately leading to clearer and more accurate subsurface images.
Velocity picking is a key step in seismic processing where geoscientists manually or automatically select seismic wave velocities that best align reflection events across different offsets in seismic data. This process is crucial for building accurate velocity models, which are used to convert seismic reflection times into depths. Correct velocity picking ensures that subsurface images are clear and accurately represent geological structures, making it an essential component in exploration and subsurface mapping. This function takes a semblance matrix, velocity range, and times as input, and selects the best velocity-time points by finding the maximum semblance at each time step.This function scans through each time step, finds the velocity corresponding to the maximum semblance, and outputs a time-velocity pick vector.

Constant velocity stacking (CVS) performs for a range of velocities given a CDP gather (seismic data as a 2D matrix), offsets, velocity range, and sample rate. The output is a 2D matrix where each column corresponds to the stacked trace for a specific velocity.

Normal Moveout (NMO) analysis is a seismic processing technique used to correct the time differences in seismic reflections caused by varying distances (offsets) between the seismic source and receivers. As seismic waves travel further to reach receivers positioned at greater offsets, they take longer to return, causing a "moveout" in the recorded seismic data.
NMO analysis adjusts these time differences by applying a correction based on an estimated subsurface velocity model. This correction aligns the reflection events across different offsets, allowing them to be summed (or stacked) more effectively. Accurate NMO correction is crucial for building coherent and accurate seismic images, as it directly influences the quality of subsequent processes like stacking and migration. NMO analysis is particularly important in velocity analysis, as it helps refine velocity estimates by showing how well reflections align after correction.
The Dix velocity model is a method used in seismic processing to estimate interval velocities from root-mean-square (RMS) velocities. It is based on Dix's equation, which assumes a horizontally layered subsurface.
The Constrained Velocity Inversion (CVI) method is used to convert stacking velocity in the time domain into interval velocity in the depth domain while honoring geological and geophysical constraints. This is crucial for depth imaging and quantitative seismic interpretation.
Advantages of Constrained Velocity Inversion:
✅ Provides geologically reasonable velocity models.
✅ Avoids errors from direct Dix inversion.
✅ Uses constraints from well logs and geological knowledge.
✅ Essential for accurate depth imaging in complex structures.
1. Input Data:
2. Convert Stacking Velocity to RMS Velocity.
3. Dix Equation to Compute Initial Interval Velocity.
Using the Dix equation, compute the interval velocity in the
time domain. This gives an initial estimate of the
interval velocity.
4. Time-to-Depth Conversion:
Convert two-way travel time to depth using the interval
velocity model. This builds an initial depth model.
5. Apply Constraints:
6. Iterative Inversion Process:
7. Output:
Uses a simple layer-based approach where velocity is assumed constant or linearly varying within layers. This method is used for Layered subsurface with minimal lateral variations.
Converts stacking velocity (obtained from seismic processing) to interval velocity using Dix's equation. This method is used for simple geological structures with small velocity variations.
Uses well velocity data (check-shot, sonic logs) to calibrate the seismic velocity model. This method is used for areas with well control data available.
Uses ray tracing through a velocity model to map seismic reflections from time to depth. This method is used for highly complex geological settings with strong lateral velocity variations.
Uses geostatistics to integrate various velocity sources and uncertainty modeling. This method is used for uncertainty analysis and integration of multiple velocity sources.
Uses AI models trained on historical well and seismic data to predict velocity models. This method is used for data-rich environments with complex geological settings.

Stacking velocity model building with stacking vertical functions with ESSO format(CDP, Time, Velocity Col.)

Seismic velocity model building is the process of constructing a velocity field that accurately represents subsurface properties. This model is crucial for seismic imaging, depth migration, and time-to-depth conversion.
Geological model and sonic well log are the main constraints use to control the Dix velocity model.

Comparison of Dix and CVI interval velocity model. The right panel is the difference of both velocity models. The main difference is due to effect of well and geology boundaries.

Comparison of time and depth sections using CVI velocity model.
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