Optimal Seismic Survey Design Based on Seismic Wave Illumination

In central-west China, over-thrust structures widely exist. Seismic survey design is a key issue for seismic exploration in such complex areas with complicated structures. This paper proposes a seismic design method based on CRP and seismic wave illumination. According to the wave illumination equation, the optimal source positions can be determined through a statistical illumination method, one-way or two-way equation modeling methods, in which we know where to increase the density of shot points in order to improve the image quality of the objective surfaces. Both ray tracing and seismic wave equation simulation can be used together to calculate the folds and energy distribution for different offsets along the CRPs of a certain surface. Then the optimal receiver array pattern and receiver array length can be determined from these distribution curves. The survey design using this target-oriented illumination analysis offers much better images for the objective surfaces.