Estimation and accounting for the modeling error in probabilistic linearized amplitude variation with offset inversionEstimate and account for modeling error

A linearized form of Zoeppritz equations combined with the convolution model is widely used in inversion of amplitude versus offset (AVO) seismic data. This is shown to introduce a ‘modeling error’, compared to using the full Zoeppritz equations, whose magnitude depends on the degree of subsurface heterogeneity. Then a methodology for quantifying this modeling error through a probability distribution is demonstrated. First, a sample of the unknown probability density describing the modeling error is generated. Then, it is illustrated how this sample can be described by a correlated Gaussian probability distribution. Finally, we demonstrate how such modeling errors affect linearized AVO inversion results. If not accounted for (which is most often the case) the modeling errors can introduce significant artifacts in the inversion results, if the signal to noise ratio is below 2, as is the case for most AVO data obtained today. However, if accounted for, such artifacts can be avoided. The methodology can easi...