Angle-restricted FWI for shallow reservoir characterization

In this article, we explore how advanced imaging techniques are enhancing the characterization of hydrocarbon reservoirs in the Barents Sea. Bright amplitudes on seismic data beneath the Base Quaternary often signal potential hydrocarbon accumulations, but accurately interpreting these signals requires in-depth analysis of amplitude versus reflection angle (AVA) information. Traditional seismic imaging methods, such as Q-Kirchhoff pre-stack depth migration (QPSDM), may be limited by shallow gas pockets, surface-related multiples, and other distortions. However, full-waveform inversion (FWI) is changing the game by providing clearer, more accurate reflectivity images without the need for extensive pre-processing or migration. This study demonstrates how extracting elastic data from acoustic FWI images can yield AVA products comparable to those from conventional methods, but with the added advantage of cleaner and more accurate results, especially in areas with complex near-surface geology.