Least-squares RTM with ocean bottom nodes: potentials and challenges

Stampede field is a faulted subsalt four-way reservoir in Green Canyon, Gulf of Mexico. Imaging for part of the field has remained challenging due to interference from the complex overburden, which carries large velocity errors and creates non-uniform illumination for the subsalt. Before correcting the velocity error, least-squares reverse time migration (LSRTM) does not produce desirable subsalt image, even when using newly acquired ocean bottom node (OBN) data. With an improved OBN full-waveform inversion (FWI) model, combined with the benefits from the full-azimuth and long-offset coverage of OBN data, LSRTM greatly improves the subsalt image. However, further improving LSRTM is still challenging due to the remaining velocity uncertainty and un-modeled physics, as well as un-attenuated multiples and converted waves.