Can We Correct for Azimuthal Variations of Residual Moveout in Land WAZ Context Using Depth Non-linear Slope Tomography?

High-density wide azimuth (WAZ) land surface acquisitions have demonstrated superior imaging capabilities. However, processing of such data exhibits several challenges related to the traditionally poor S/N ratio of land recording and the necessity of reconciling the kinematics of the various azimuths. We present an imaging case history involving WAZ non-linear slope tomography. Based on kinematic invariants, velocity model update is performed both in depth and time from the same picking. Our dense automated dip and residual move-out picking is done on an initial pre-stack time migrated (PreSTM) dataset after application of a structurally consistent filtering that greatly improves the S/N ratio. Our case study demonstrates that non-linear slope tomography in the depth domain greatly improves the imaging of the structures when compared to the initial PreSTM result. Even if tomography in the time domain significantly enhances imaging, it cannot successfully honour the kinematics of the various azimuths within the constraints of time imaging assumptions. On the contrary, WAZ non-linear slope tomography in the depth domain offers an efficient way to reconcile these kinematics, thus promoting the use of depth imaging when processing high-density WAZ data, even in the context of mild geological complexity.