Interval Velocity Analysis in Complex Areas – What About the Azimuth?

Three dimensional interval velocity analysis must deal with the problem of lateral velocity variations along different azimuths. Traditionally, when this azimuth dependency is treated, the analysis refers to the acquisition azimuth. The main idea presented in this study is that in complex geological regions, the acquisition azimuth may not be the optimal domain for analyzing velocity errors. We suggest here to define the azimuth in the image domain. Together with the scattering angle and dip, all parameterized in the depth image domain, accurate CIG analysis method can be designed.