Integrated velocity estimation and stacking using parabolic Radon transform

Generally, advanced macro model estimation techniques need an initial macro velocity model of the subsurface to start with. A conventional way of building such a model is by interpolating the stacking velocity analyses carried out at a number of locations along the seismic line. An alternative way of estimating the initial velocity model based on the parabolic Radon transform is presented here. The increased resolution of the least squares parabolic Radon transform is the key element of the proposed technique. Also it is shown that the same transform domain can be used as the velocity stack domain and an improved version of the stack (equivalent to the conventional velocity stack) can be obtained by picking events in the high resolution transform domain.