Azimuthal Anisotropy of the Barrow Sub-Basin, North West Shelf of

Australia
Adam Gangemi
This study aimed to ascertain the effect of seismic azimuthal anisotropy in the
Barrow Sub-basin. Large lateral and vertically varying lithology and strong seafloor
scattering of the seismic wavefront cause major difficulties in seismic processing. In
this study azimuthal anisotropy is examined by using 2D seismic data and 3-C VSP
data.
Initial investigation examined the semblance displays for two intersecting 2-D lines
at the intersection point. This particular method was used to compare the difference
in NMO velocities at the intersection point. However due to incomplete multiple
suppression during seismic data processing, this leads to inconclusive results. Further
investigation using NMO corrected CDP gathers identified velocity differences along
known seismic horizons. Along the Trealla Limestone horizon a greater velocity by
2.5% was seen in the direction of line A92J-23 (286.2). Similar results were seen
at the Toolonga Calcilutite horizon. The difference between the velocities along
these two lines is 3.5%.
Analysis of headwave velocities and amplitudes was used to further estimate the
effect of azimuthal anisotropy in the Barrow Sub-basin. A greater velocity by 5.4%
was identified along line A92J-23 using headwave velocities. A trough amplitude
was extracted from the first break picks selected along the headwave. Analysis of
amplitude decay along two orthogonal 2D lines identified a difference of 44%
between Q values along these lines. Using the calculated Q values, attenuation
anisotropy was investigated to define the effect of attenuation on AVO gradients in
anisotropic media. Two models were used with different carbonate thicknesses. A
III
difference of up to 70% in AVO gradient was observed. Additional analysis of P to S
wave conversions recorded by a 3-C VSP survey revealed shear wave splitting at a
depth of 1290m.
The results of this study suggest that the presence of seismic anisotropy should be
considered when planning further seismic surveys, as well as processing and imaging
in the Barrow Sub-basin.