Paper Summary

We have applied layer-stripping Reverse Time Migration (RTM) to several Gulf of Mexico (GOM) depth imaging projects. The key element of layer-stripping RTM is wavefield redatuming. By redatuming the wavefield below the subsurface, we dramatically increase the efficiency of RTM. Due to the complexity of salt bodies, GOM depth imaging projects typically require a large number of iterations of RTM runs in a top-down approach in order to build a more accurate salt velocity model. In some target areas, several salt geometry scenarios need to be tested before finalizing a salt model. Layer-stripping RTM is well-suited for building such complex salt models.