An enhanced frequency source for modern marine seismic surveys

Summary

Many new marine seismic surveys are acquired with the intent for both FWI velocity model building and traditional imaging using the recorded reflection seismic data. To improve the results of FWI there is a desire to generate better signal to noise at lower frequencies. Several methods have been attempted to enhance lower frequency energy, for example using marine vibrators or tuning a standard air gun array with much larger guns in a specific manner. Most methods of generating lower frequency peak energy sacrifice mid and high frequency energy, limiting the potential uses of the acquired survey. The Gemini Enhanced Frequency Source is designed to generate more low frequency energy than conventional air gun arrays while maintaining energy in typical imaging frequencies. In this paper we demonstrate, via the use of both time and depth images, that data acquired with the enhanced frequency source are enhanced at the low end and comparable at higher frequencies relative to conventional marine source data.