Advancing Complex Subsalt Imaging Using Elastic FWI and Sparse Ocean-Bottom Node Acquisition

This study highlights the effectiveness of Elastic Dynamic Matching FWI (E-DMFWI) using sparse
OBN data to enhance subsalt imaging in the Gulf of Mexico. Leveraging ultra-long offset, full-azimuth, and low-frequency data from Amendment Phase 1 and Phase 2, E-DMFWI accurately
resolves salt feeders, carbonates, and deep Luanne salt, and improves imaging beneath complex shallow salt where illumination was previously poor with the streamer data. The approach delivers superior imaging and has the potential to greatly enhance project efficiency.