Fast multifrequency focal beam analysis for 3D seismic acquisition geometry

A method for the efficient computation of multifrequency focal beams for 3D seismic acquisition geometry analysis has been developed. By computing them for all the frequency components of seismic data, single-frequency focal beams can be extended to multifrequency focal beams. However, this straightforward method involves considerable computer time and memory requirements, especially in complex media settings. Therefore, we propose a rapid 3D multifrequency focal beam method in which only a few single-frequency focal beam computations are followed by a number of smart interpolations. The 3D wavefield extrapolation in the focal beam analysis is conducted by the combined applications of a 3D degenerate Fourier migrator and a 3D Born-Kirchhoff interpolation operator, a process that reduces the computational cost for complex media. The multifrequency focal beam analysis is applied to a 3D model from an oil field of China, demonstrating how spatial sampling differences affect seismic imaging.