Estimation of Q from surface seismic reflection data

Reliable estimates of the anelastic attenuation factor, Q, are desirable for improved resolution through inverse Q deconvolution and to facilitate amplitude analysis. Q is a useful petrophysical parameter itself, yet Q is rarely measured. Estimates must currently be made from borehole seismology. This paper presents a simple technique for determining Q from conventional surface seismic common midpoint (CMP) gathers. It is essentially the classic spectral ratio method applied on a trace‐by‐trace basis to a designatured and NMO stretch‐corrected CMP gather. The variation of apparent Q versus offset (QVO) is extrapolated to give a zero‐offset Q estimate. Studies on synthetics suggest that, for reasonable data quality (S/N ratios better than 3:1, shallow (<5°) dips, and stacking velocity accuracy <5%), source‐to‐reflector average Q is recoverable to within some 3% and Q for a specific interval (depending on its two‐way time thickness and depth) is recoverable to 15–20%. Three case studies are reported. First,...