Multiple attenuation; an overview of recent advances and the road ahead (1999)

This paper is an overview of the current state of multiple attenuation and developments that we might anticipate in the near future. The basic model in seismic processing assumes that reflection data consist of primaries only. If multiples are not removed, they can be misinterpreted as, or interfere with, primaries. This is a longstanding and only partially solved problem in exploration seismology. Many methods exist to remove multiples, and they are useful when their assumptions and prerequisites are satisfied. However, there are also many instances when these assumptions are violated or where the prerequisites are difficult or impossible to attain; hence, multiples remain a problem. This motivates the search for new demultiple concepts, algorithms, and acquisition techniques to add to, and enhance, our toolbox of methods.