Q estimation from reflection seismic data for hydrocarbon detection using a modified frequency shift method

As a powerfully diagnostic tool for structural interpretation, reservoir characterization, and hydrocarbon detection, quality factor Q provides useful information in seismic processing and interpretation. Popular methods, like the spectral ratio (SR) method, central frequency shift (CFS) method and peak frequency shift (PFS) method, have their respective limitations in dealing with field seismic data. The lack of a reliable method for estimating Q from reflection seismic data is an issue when utilizing the Q value for hydrocarbon detection. In this article, we derive an approximate equation and propose a dominant and central frequency shift (DCFS) method by combining the quality factor Q, the travel time, and dominant and central frequencies of two successive seismic signals along the wave propagating direction. Based on multi-layered analysis, we then proposed a method to obtain continuous volumetric Q estimation results. A test using synthetic data and statistical experiments showed the proposed method can achieve higher accuracy and robustness compared with existing methods. Application of field data also shows its potential and effectiveness to estimate seismic attenuation.