Weighted average seismic attributes

Abstract

Local weighted averaging of instantaneous seismic attributes improves their interpretability by removing spikes and reducing rapid and confusing variations. Averaging in a window weighted by the instantaneous power produces a local measure that equals a Fourier spectral average, facilitating quantitative analysis. Local 1-D frequency and bandwidth are scalars, but local 2-D and 3-D seismic attributes derive from average vector wavenumbers, which may require velocity information. The direction of the average vector wavenumber provides average dip and azimuth, and its magnitude provides a measure of average wavelength or frequency. A related measure of bandwidth is a scalar in all dimensions; it includes contributions from both instantaneous bandwidth and the variance of instantaneous frequency or wavenumber. It quantifies data similarity.