10 1 1 456 8887 PDF

Ci~HYSICS.
VOL.
44.
NO.
6 (JUNE
1Y7Y); P. IMI-1063.
16 FIGS.,
I TABLE
Complex seismic trace analysis

M. T. Taner*, F. Koehler*, and R. E. Sheriff*
of
The conventional seismictrace can be viewed asthe real component acomplex trace which can be uniquely
calculated under usual conditions. The complex trace permits the unique separation of envelope amplitude
and phase information and the calculation of instantaneousfrequency. These and other quantities can be displayed in a color-encoded manner which helps an interpreter see their intcrrelationahipand spatial changes.
The significance of color patternsand their geological interpretation is illustratedby example\ of seismic data
from three areas.
INTRODUCTION
of amplitude and phase information. two of the
This paper has two objectives: specifically to (I)
quantities (called attributes) which are measured
explain the application of complex trace analysis to in complex trace analysis, The amplitude attribute
seismic data and its usefulnessin geologic interprcta- is called reflection strength. The phase information and (2) illustrate the role of color in conveying tion is both an attribute in its own right and the basis
seismic information to an interpreter. Expressing for instantaneousfrequency measurement.Amplitude
seismic data in complex form also yields computa- and phaseinformation are also combined in additional
tional advantageswhich are discussedin Appendix A.
attributes, weighted average frequency and apparent
Transformations of data from one form to another polarity.
Signal analysis can also be viewed as a communiare common in signal analysis, and varioustechniques
are used to extract significant information from time cations problem. The ob.jective is to make an interseries (seismic data). Interpreting data from different preter aware of the information content of data, inpoints of view often results in new insight and the cluding an appreciationfor the reliability of measurediscovery of relationships not otherwise evident.
ments and how information elements relate to each
The transformation of seismic data from the time other. The display of data is an inherent part of the
domain to the frequency domain is the most common analysis. Seismic data are conventionally displayed
example of data rearrangement which provides in- in variable area, variable density, vat-iableamplitude
sight and is useful in data analysis. The Fourier trans- (wiggle). or a combination of these forms. Display
form, which accomplishes this. allows us to look at
scale and vertical-to-horizontal scale ratio are variaverage properties of a reasonably large portion of
ables whosejudicious choice can aid analysis(Sheriff
a trace, but it does not permit examination of local and Farrell. 1976). Display parameters also include
variations. Analysis of seismic data as an analytic trace superposition,bias, and color. Color has proven
signal, complex wuw unalyis, is a transform tech- to be especially effective in complex trace analysis.
nique which retains local significance. Complex trace
The literature on the use of color In geophysics is
analysis provides new insight, like Fourier trans- limited. Balch (1971) discussed the use of color
forms. and is useful in interpretation problems.
seismic sections as an interpretation aid, and geoComplex trace_analysis tiff&s a natural_sepamtinn~ physical advertisements have illustrated limited use
Presented at the 46th Annual International SEC Meeting October 27, 1976 in Houston and at the 47th Annual International
SEG Meeting September 21, 1977 in Calgary. The subject matter constituted the lectures given by M. T Taneras AAPG
Distinguished
Lecturerin 1975 and by R. E. Sheriff as SEC Distinguished Lecturer in 1977. Manuscript received by the
Editor January 23, 1978; revised manuscript received August 7, 1978.
*Seiscom Delta Inc., 7636 Harwin, P. 0. Box 36928. Houston, TX 77036.
OOl6-8033/79/0601-lO41$03.00.
@ 1979 Societ! of Exploration Geophysicists. All rights reserved
1041
Downloaded 12 Jun 2012 to 216.198.85.26. Redistribution subject to SEG license or copyright; see Terms of Use at http://segdl.org/
Taner et al
1042
cos (wt + 0) for all real values olA and 0 and all
w>o.
These rules determine J*(I) uniquely for any function ,f(t) which can be represented by a Fourier
series or Fourier integral.
The use of the complex trace F(r) makes it possible to define instantaneous amplitude, phase, and
frequency in ways which are logical extensions of
the definitions of these terms for simple harmonic
oscillation. Complex traces can ;IIVI be used in similarity calculations. enabling us to lind more precisely
the relative arrival times of a common signal appcaring on different traces (Appendix A).
The real seismic trace ,f (t) can he expressed in
tcnns of a time-dependent amplitude A (t) and a timedependent phase 0(r) as
.f (I) = A (t) cos d(t).
(I)
The quadraturetrace ,f* (1) then is
(b)
f* (t) = A (t)
FIG. I Frequency domain representationsof (a) real

and (b) complex traces.
sin
(2)
O(t),
and the complex trace F(r) is

F(t) = J(t) + jf(t)
= A (t) P(1).
(3)
If f (t) and .J* (f) are known. one can solve for A(t)
and 0(t):
of color in emphasizing reflection amplitude anomalies (bright spots) in showing the direction of
cross-dip, etc.
A (t) = [J(t)
OF THE COMPLEX
TRACE
Complex trace analysis is discussed in electrical

engineering and signal analysis literature (Gabor.
1946; Bracewell, 1965; Cramer and Leadbctter,
1967; Oppcnheim and Schafer. 1975). Some applications to seismic signal problems are given in Farnbach
(197% and Taner and Sheriff (1977). However,
explanation of the application to seismic signal
analysis is not available in the geophysical literature.
Basic definitions
Complex trace analysis treats a seismic trace .f (t)

as the real part of an analytical signal or complex
trace, F(t) =.f(t) +if*(r).
The quadrature (also
called conjugate or imaginary) component ,f* (t) is
uniquely determinable from f(t) if we require that
f* 0)
I) be determined from f(t) by a linear convolution

operation. and
2) reduces to phasor representationiff (f) is a sinusoid, that is, f*(r) = A sin (wt + 0) if f(t) = A
= IF(t) (,
(4)
(t)].
(5)
and
e(t) =
CALCULATION
+ f*(r)]
tan-
[f*
(t)
/.f
A(t) is called reflection strength. and 19(r)is called
instantaneous phase (Bracewell, 1965).

The rate of change of the time-dependent phase
gives a time-dependent frequency
This can be expressed in convolutional form as

-xi
m(t) =
d(7) e(t ~ T)d7,
I --m
(7)
where d(7) is the differentiation filter (Rabiner and

Gold. 1975, p. 164). A difficulty with this is that the
phase must be continuous, whet-cas the arctangent
computation of equation (5) give\ only the principle
value. We then have to unwind the phaseby determining the location of2n- phasejmps
and correcting
them.
A more convenient way of computing the instantaneousfrequency is to compute the derivative of
1043
Complex Seismic Trace Analysis
the arctangent function itself
w(t) = f {tan-lY*0) /f (t)ll,
(8)
which results in
4 0)_f*
@)
@)
df
dt
dt
o(t) =
P(t) +f*(t)
(9)
FIG. 2. Normalized Hilbert time-domain operator

truncated to I9 points.
where the derivatives off(t) and f* (t) can be computed in convolutional form as in equation (7).
We also define a weighted average frequency
G(t) as
oc
I
f*(t)
= lornC(o) sin [wt + 4(w)]dw;
A(t - 7) w(t - T)L(r)dT
i%(t) = -=
t (10)
m A(t - T)L.(T)dT
I -cc
of the quadrature
(12)
and
F(t) =
where L(T) is a low-pass filter. Apparenrpolarity is

defined as the sign of f(r) when A(t) has a local
maximum. Positive or negative sign is assigned
assuming a zero-phase wavelet and a positive or
negative reflection coefficient, respectively.
Calculation
0. Then
trace
We give equivalent ways of defining f*(t) and

F(r), first in terms of Fourier integrals and then by
convolution in the time domain using the Hilbert
transform.
We assumethat f (t) is real, defined for --XI < t <
33, and can be represented by the Fourier integral
formula
g C(o)ej[wf++(w)ldw.
I0
The frequency-domain representationsof a real trace

and its complex trace equivalent are shown in Figure
1. The amplitude spectrum of the complex trace
C(o) vanishesfor o < 0 and has twice the magnitude
for w > 0. The phase 4(o) is unchanged (except it
is not defined for o < 0). The complex trace can
thus be found by (I) Fourier transforming the real
trace, (2) zeroing the amplitude for negative frequencies and doubling the amplitude for positive frequencies, and then (3) inverse Fourier transforming.
An equivalent formula for f*(t) is given by the
Hilbert transform (Rabiner and Gold, 1975)
f*(7)
=+
P.V.
Im f(t),,
-,7-t
f(t)
= _fa B(o)ejd
--m
o,
and
f(t)
(11)
where P.V. j-mmmeans the Cauchy principle value

a
P.V.
_-m= ;:
[/;;E+l::].
(14)
I
w>
The Hilbert transform can be .used to generate the

quadrature tracesftom the real trace or-vice versa by
the convolution operation, which in digital form is
= j-omC(w) cos [wt + $(o)]dw,

1
-where C(w) -2jBjwji
Andy4(w) =a@(,),
f*(t)=+
2 f.(t-nAt)=
n=-cc
and
f*(t)
=i
(13)
f f(t - nAt) sinz(~2)

n=-cc
1n # 0,
i
(1%
1044
Taner et al
FIG. 3. Real (a) and quadrature(b) traces for a portion of an actual seismic trace. Also shown is the envelope
[dotted curve in (a, b)], phase (c), instantaneousfrequency (d), and weighted average frequency [dotted
curve in (d)].
FIG. 4. Isometric diagram of portion of an actual seismic trace.
where Ar is the sample interval. The inverse convolution is merely the negative
(t)
The normalized Hilbert time-domain operator [equation (15)], shown in Figure 2, is odd, vanishes for
even n, and decreasesmonotonically in magnitude as
In/ increases for odd n. It is usually applied in a
modified truncated version.
Graphical representations and examples

The real f(r) and quadraturef*(t) traces can be
plotted in any of the conventional ways used for
seismic traces. Variable amplitude plots for a portion
of an actual seismic trace are shown in Figures 3a
and 3b for the real and quadraturetraces. The complex trace F(r) can be thought of as the trace in complex space of a vector which is continually changing
its length and rotating, thus tracing out an irregular

helix as shown in Figure 4. We may then think of
A(t) as the time-varying modulusand O(f) as the timevarying argument of this vector.
The seismic trace shown in Figures 3 and 4 is from
an East Texas survey. The real and quadraturetraces
are given by the projection of the tract of the rotating
vector on the real and imaginary planes, as shown in
Figure 4. The length of the vector is A (I) and its angle
with the horizontal is O(rj.
Figure 5a shows a simple Ricker wavelet f (I) and
the quadraturetracef* (I) derived from it. Also shown
is the magnitude IF(t)1 = A(r) and the phase O(f).
Figure 5b is an isometric diagram of the same wavelet
showing the quadraturecomponent_/* (I) in the imaginary plane perpendicularto the real componentf (t).
Figure 5c is a polar plot of A(t) = IF(r) I at successive
and equal time intervals, and Figure Sd is the corresponding amplitude spectrum A (0). Data for this
example are tabulated in Table I of Appendix B.
Note in Figures 3a and 3b that both real and quadrature traces are identical except phase shifted by 90
degrees. Except for this phase shift, a geophysicist
would observe the same features, that is, the same
1046
Taner et al
- r/r/
--- P,,,
-w/f,,
8,,,
/
-y
..,.,.,..
2,~
(4
(W
FIG. 5. (a) Real partf(t), quadraturepart f*(t), complex amplitude IF(t

and phase O(r) of 25Hz Ricker
wavelet. (b) Isometric diagram of real, f(r), and quadrature, f*(r), components of 25Hz Ricker wavelet.
(c) Polar plot of A(r) = IF(r)1 for a 25Hz Ricker wavelet. (d) Spectrum B(o) of 25Hz Ricker wavelet.
coherency and the same signal-to-noise ratio. on real

and quadrature seismic sections.
The reflection strength A(t) is the envelope of
the seismic trace. We might imagine the reflection
strengthrotatedaboutthe time axis so as to appearlike
beads on a string, sometimes overlapping, each bead
representing the arrival of new energy. The vector
rotates within each of these beads and the phase
(Figure 3c) occasionallyhas to back up or hurry ahead
to represent succeeding energy. The instantaneous
frequency curve (Figure 3d) jumps sharply whenever
the rotating vector is locking onto new energy but
does not change appreciably during each bead of
energy.
An average of the instantaneousfrequency, such
as given by the weighted average frequency, yields
roughly the same value we would obtain if we were
to measure the period between successivepoints of
similar phase for succeedingcycles, as is often done
to determine dominant frequency. For the 2%Hz
Ricker wavelet of Figure 5,
W = 24.5 Hz,
which is close to the 25.Hz value of o at the peak of
its amplitude spectrum (Figure 5d).
SIGNIFICANCE
OF ATTRIBUTES
Attribute measurements based on complex trace

analysis were defined in the preceeding section. We
now examine their significance and color representations as originally described by Taner et al (1976).
Reflection strength
Reflection strength (amplitude of the envelope) is
defined by equation (4). Reflection strength is independentof phase. It may have its maximum at phase
points other than peaks or troughs of the real trace,
especially where an event is the composite of several
reflections. Thus, the maximum reflection strength
associated with a reflection event may be different
from the amplitude of the largest real-trace peak or
trough.
High-reflection strength is often associated with
major lithologic changes between adjacent rock
layers, such as acrossunconformities and boundaries
associated with sharp changes in sea level or depositionalenvironments. High-reflection strengthalso
is often associatedwith gas accumulations. Strength
of reflections from uncomformities may vary as the
subcropping beds change, and reflection strength
measurement may aid in the lithologic identification
1047
of subcropping beds if it can be assumed that deposition is constant above the unconformity so that
all the change can be attributed to subcroppingbeds.
Lateral variations in bed thicknesses change the
interference of reflections;suchchangesusually occur
over appreciable distance and so produce gradual
lateral changes in reflection strength. Sharp local
changes may indicate faulting or hydrocarbon
accumulations where trapping conditions are favorable. Hydrocarbon accumulations, especially gas,
may show as high-amplitude reflections or bright
spots. However, such bright spots may be noncommercial and, conversely, some gas productive
zones may not have associatedbright spots.
Observing where, within a reflection event, the
maximum reflection strengthoccurs provides a measure of reflection character. Occasionally, this can
be used to indicate reflection coefficient polarity
as shown by Taner and Sheriff (1977, p. 327).
Constancy of character may aid in distinguishing
between reflection events from a single reflector and
those which are a composite of reflections The
strength of reflections from the top (11massive beds
tends to remain constant over a large region. Reflections of nearly constant strength provide good
references for time-interval measurements.
The usual color-encoding of reflection strength is
referenced to the maximum reflection strength which
occurs on a seismic section or in an area, using a
different color for each dB step (Figure 6a). Using
the same color reference for the data over an area
provides color ties at line intersections. providing
data recording conditionswere unifornl or corrections
for nonuniform recording conditions were made in
processing. The reference can be changed where
desired.
Instantaneous phase
The instantaneousphase, defined hy equation (5),
emphasizes the continuity of events. Instantaneous
phase is a value associatedwith a point in time and
thus is quite different from phase a$ a function of
frequency, such as given by the Fourier transform.
In phase displays, the phase corresponding to each
peak. trough, zero-crossing, etc. of the real trace is
assigned the same color so that any phase angle can
be followed from trace to trace.
Becausephaseis independentof reflection strength,
it often makes weak coherent events clearer. Phase
displays are effective in showing discontinuities,
faults, pinchouts, angularities, and events with different dip attitudes which interfere with each other.
1048
Taner et al
Prograding sedimentary layer patterns and regions of

on-lap and off-lap layering often show with special
clarity so that phase displays are helpful in picking
seismic sequence boundaries (Payton. 1977. p.
310).
Phase displays use the colors of the color wheel
(Figure 6b) so that plus and minus I80 degrees are
the same color (purple) because they are the same
phase angle. The cosine of the instantaneousphase
angle is also displayed in black and white and is often
used as a background for other displays (as in
Figures 8 and IO- 13).
Instantaneous frequency
Instantaneousfrequency, defined by equation (6),
is a value associated with a point in time like instantaneous phase. Most reflection events are the
composite of individual reflections from a number of
closely spaced reflectors which remain nearly constant in acoustic impedance contrast and separation.
The superpositionof individual reflections may produce a frequency pattern which characterizes the
composite reflection. Frequency character often provides a useful correlation tool. The character of a
composite reflection will change gradually as the sequence of layers gradually changes in thickness or
lithology. Variations, as at pinchouts and the edges
of hydrocarbon-water interfaces, tend to change the
instantaneousfrequency more rapidly.
A shift toward lower frequencies (low-frequency
shadow) is often observed on reflections from reflectors below gas sands, condensate, and oil reservoirs. Low-frequency shadowsoften occur only on
reflections from reflectors immediately below the
petroliferous zone, reflections from deeper reflectors
appearing normal. This observation is empirical
and many have made the same observation, but we
do not understand the mechanism involved. Two
types of explanations have been proposed: (I) that a
gas sand actually filters out higher frequencies
because of (a) frequency-dependent absorption or
(b) natural resonance, or (2) that traveltime through
the gas sand is increasedby lower velocity such that
reflections from reflectors immediately underneath
are not summed properly. These explanations seem
inadequate to account for the observations. Fracture
zones in brittle rocks are also sometimes associated
with low-frequency shadows.
Frequency is usually color-coded in 2-Hz steps
(Figure 6~). The red-orange end of the spectrum usually indicates the lower frequencies and the blue-
green end, the higher frequencies. Frrquencie\ lower

than 6 Hr arc usually left uncolored.
Weighted average frequency
Weighted average frequency. defined by equation
(IO). emphasizes the frequency of the stronger reflection events and smooths irregularities caused bj
noise. The frequency values approximate dominant
frequency values determined by measuring peak-topeak times or times between other similar phase
points. Like instantaneous frequency displays,
weighted average frequency displays are sometimes
excellent for enhancing reflection continuity. Hydrocarbon accumulations often arc cvidenccd by IOU
frequencies.
Apparent polarity
While all attribute measurementsdepend on data
quality and the quality of the recording and processlng, apparent polarity measurementsare especially sensitive to data quality. Interference may result
in the reflection strength maximum occurring near a
zero-crossing of the seismic trace so that the polarity
may change sign as noise causes the zero-crossing
of the trace or the location of the reflection strength
maximum to shift slightly. The analysis of apparent
polarity assumes a single reflector, a zero-phase
wavelet. and no ambiguity due to phase inversion.
However, since most reflection events are composites
of several reflections, polarity often lacks a clear
correlation with reflection coefficient and hence it is
qualified as apparent polarity.
Polarity sometimesdistinguishesbetw,eendifferent
kinds of bright spots(Figures 7c and 7f). Bright spots
associated with gas accumulations in elastic sediments usually have lower acoustic impedance than
surrounding beds and hence show negative polarity
for reservoir top reflections and positive polarity
for reflections from gas-oil or gas-water interfaces
(often called flat spots) (Figure Xc. event D).
Ordinarily, apparent polarit) is color-coded
magenta and blue for positive and negative, respectively, with the hue intensity graded in five steps
according to reflection strength (Figure 6d).
Display of attributes
Each attribute to be displayed involves a value
associated with each sample point. Assimilating and
digesting such massesof data pose a major problem.
Our usual practice is to color-encode the data and
display these in a seismic-section format most
Figure 6. Color codes for attribute values. (a) Reflection strength; (b) phase; (c) frequency; (d)
polarity.
Figure 7. Two portions (left and right) of a seismic section for Gulf of Mexico line A. Top: reflection
strength; center: instantaneous frequency; bottom: apparent polarity.
Figure
8. Portion of seismic section for Southern North Sea line A. Top: instantaneous
weighted average frequency; bottom: apparent polarity.
phase; center:
Reflection time in sec.
Reflection
time in sec.
Raflactinn
tima
in eat
Reflection
time in sec.
Figure
13. Seismic section for Gulf of Mexico

average frequency.
line C. Above:
reflection
strength;
below: weighted
1057

familiar
to
interpreters.
seismic
line
as abscissa
nate.
that
Color-encoded
often
attribute
superimpo\cd
tion
is.
it easier
range
but
of values.
assigning
natural
This
same color
the
6) is usually
and thus
by the
exactly
occurs.
the
provjided
interpret
with any sample

changes
quantita-
which
compressed
normal
have
time
xcalc
traces
black-and-white
density,
blanking
out of samples
trace
evlery half cycle

Processing
in
modes;
as a
vtariable
area,
and
of the
white
lines
structure.
to convert
often
prcdctcrmincd
migration
conform
and
of related
sub-
features.
they
in
vJarious attributes
do individually.
systematic
example
shows two portions
in
on
Taner
and
amplitude
(left
(bright
red and orange
colors.
left
indicate
display
(a)
an
Figure
sec-
A. (This section is shown
1977,
(a
Figures
X-12.)
The
and
show
high-
spots).
guz
d)
as indicated
The bright
:I
As
of a seismic
spots (red)
reservoir.
section
howev*er.
familiar
of
reelection
tions,
strength
input
Iow-
production
i\ often
is
The
helpful
which
occur
to appcai- steeper,
reflection
Greene,
etc.
on data mi-
amplitudes
1976).
and
Migration
structural
complicadips, so that
meaniiigful.
EXAMPLES
attributes,
frequency
namely,
and polarity,
phase,
of a portion
for line A in the Southern
in Figure
respectively,
miss.
especially
can be made
is more
three
section
is shown
with
others
ol
results
and resolves
average
of a seismic
shape
Tho\c
scale allows a greater
faults
and
interpretation
Display
addi-
interpretable
which
changes
INTERPRETATION
The
.4s more
more
such as buried foci and conflicting
weighted
the
Such a section does distort struc-
so as to preserve
features
pattern
but often
1977).
limits
which
causing
sharpens
in
Sometimes
to be cornpi-chended.
interpretation
(Reilly
it is
interest
data are correlated
the
stratigraphic
8.
Figures
0 and
North
IO show
and instantaneous
frequency
for a larcper portion
01 this section.
data have
source wav/elet
@Seiscom Delta Inc.
et al,
to define
exaggeration
on the
the
well
the horizontal
character
Sea
is clear.
when
changes of pattern.
of seismic
Attribute
tions,
VarkltiOn
the
of pattcms
flowever,
changes.
significance
important.
delineating
with
Attribute
iAtCrdl
measurements.
find
hcgins
1976).
faults.
assimilated,
obvtiously
by the
though
are
zones.
attribute
are anomalous
displays,
and right)
displays
as a set than
displays.
of multiple
Sheriff,
events
often
various
ofMexico line
reflection-strength
more
Features
ways
of the value
tion for Gulf
rcvcal
different
that is of principle
a variation
The use of lateral
ture,
gas(blue
is positive
rcpmscnt
or other
data (Sheriff
geology
grated
General interpretation considerations

The
of
is clear only
over long distances.
so that seismic e v*ents
to positions
interpretation.
frequency
in
pain to accentuate
for the zone of interest;
prior to analysis
nearly
surface
time-dependent
display
(f)
and the otfsct
across
stratigraphic
data
length
systematic
of the
ol displays makes
(Sheriff,
along the bedding
Compressing
[en-phase
by
(b).
is negative
interpretation
throw
are these attribute
involves
to a nearly
no
deposit
spots
aid in correlation,
vertical
the color
more
tional
bright
of
as shown
display
polarity
Thus the cnscmble
of structure
meaning
local
at zero-crossing
of data prior to display
the
of the shell
establish
meaning
wavelet
3)
pattcrnx
The
as seen in (c),
stratigraphic
interpretation
helps
them.
products
(e).
the
low-frequency
frequency
deposit
two
on
features.
to seismic
phase
so as to produce
to indicate
filtering
and
enlargement
interest;
background
conventional
plot)
and
or instantaneous
or amplitude
1) phase
(squash
scale.
of zones of special
conv*entional
2)
the
suggests
been used include
horizontal
(zooms)
3)
that
subsurface
in attribute
Displays
2)
that
color).
v/ariation
tively.
I)
and
clear
shell
a non-
spot
a local deposit
have
underneath
reflections.
Most
so that one can detcr-
color
color)
Many
can bc used. A color code
value associated
the
with
the
with
bright
zones
in
in frequency
(magenta
were produced
the same value
colors
is most
clear.
produces
immediately
change
The
gas-reservoir
yellow-orange
reservoir
can bc arbitrary,
sequence
The
whereas
The c olor-
magnitude
which
whenever
mine the numerical

location
shadows
thus
spectral
in this article
process
different
(Figure
in
relative
The examples
Seis-chrome@
data
a color to each v/alue or
is associated
(d) is associated
simultaneously,
interrelations.
set
right display
the conventional
seismic
at 0.650
gas-reservoir.
shells.
assignment
colors
in making
distinctly
see
assigning
are
reflection
commercial
sec-
attribute
to
involv/cs
as ordi-
measurements
so that one can see both
making
along
time
on a comentional
and the color-encoded
encoding
location
and reflection
been corrected
shape before
has been corrected
stacking
sec-
tar variation
of
and the wavelet
to zei-o pha\c
prior
to the
1058
Taner et al
FIG. 14. Interpretation of seismic section for Gulf of Mexico line B (shown in Figures 11 and 12)
complex-trace analysis. These sections have been

migrated by the wave-equation method, and blackand-white phase traces form the background of the
sections, except for the phase display (Figure 8a)
itself. Interpreted subsurface features are identified
on Figure 16.
The phase display (Figure Xa) emphasizes continuity and angularities of weak reflections because
it is insensitive to amplitude, Thus, the weak-dipping
reflections which subcropat the angular unconformity
just abovfe0.5 set (A) delineate this unconformity.
On a conv,entional section these reflections are so
weak that it is difficult to locate the unconformity 50
precisely. Similarly, the unconformities at B and C
are made clear by onlap, downlap, and truncation
configurations. A Hat spot (D) can be seen associated
with the gas resetvoir at the crest of the anticline at
I .2 sec.
The weighted average frequency display (Figure
8b) should be compared with the instantaneousfrequency display (Figure IO). Laterally constant layer
sequences, such as the top of the Danian chalk (E),
tend to be characterized by patterns which aid in re-
flection correlation, whereas the patterns change

laterally for reflectors such as unconformities (B or
C). Orange patterns such as underneath the Danian
chalk reflections sometimes seem to be associated
with fractured zones (F) (similar patterns are sometimes associatedwith fracture zones in East Texas).
There are also low-frequency reflections (orange) in
the shadow under the gas accumulation (D).
The apparent polarity section (Figure 8c) is interesting mainly for the appearance of the reflection
from the gas reservoir. The reflection from the reservoir top has negative apparent polarity (blue) and
the reflection from the gas-water interface (D) has
positive polarity (magenta).
The reflection strengthsection for North Sea line A
is shown in Figure 9. Major vertical lithologic changes
such as from Tertiary elastics to the chalk (E) or
from Triassic elastics to Permian carbonates and
evaporites (G) are generally associatedwith high reflection strength. The reflection strength is more
constant on the upper of these (Tertiary elastics to
chalk), indicating that this lithologic contrast is more
constant than the lower contrast where the nature
1059
of the subcropping Permian formations changes

laterally. Lateral changes in reflection strength often
mark unconformities. The Carboniferous anticline
(J) has some amplitude standout.
The instantaneousfrequency section for North Sea
line A (Figure IO) shows distinctive reflection character associated with the Danian chalk (E) and the
Rotliegendes (H), but most of the other reflections
change character slowly along,the bedding. Note the
low-frequency reflection just below the gas reservoir
(D). The block faulting of the Rotliegendes (H) is
emphasized by the black-and-white phase background.
Figure 11 is a portion of a reflection strength sec- FIG. 15. Interpretation of seismic section for Gulf of
tion for line B in the Gulf of Mexico. Several promiMexico line C (shown in Figure 13).
nent bright spots are evident (yellow, orange, and
red colors). This line is coincident with the crest of a
salt ridge and is perpendicular to line C, the section still under development and additional production
shown in Figure I3 (C and B at the top of the sections may be established.
indicate the intersection). Figure I2 is a weighted
Figure I3 shows a portion of a section perpendicuaverage-frequency section for this line. A number of lar to the section shown in Figures I I and 12. Interlowfrequency zones (orange) are in some places pretation of this section is shown in Figure 15. No
associatedwith the bright-spotsseen in Figure I I, and drilling has been carried out on the left half of this
at other places the low-frequency zones and bright section, but several productive zones have been prespots are not coincident.
dicted. Other examples of the geologic interpretation
The locations of two wells and information as to of attribute measurements are given in Taner and
productive zones in a number of other wells are shown Sheriff ( 1977).
on the migrated instantaneousphasesection in Figure
CONCLUSIONS
14. The wells are not located on the seismic line but
Analysis of seismic traces as part of complex
havsebeen projected perpendicularly onto the line, so
some projection errors result. Crossdips are small, (analytic) signals allows the ready determination of
so structuralfeatures on this migrated seismic section the amplitude of the envelope (reflection strength),
should be nearly correct. The faults have been inter- instantaneous phase, and instantaneous frequency.
preted from the seismic data.
Color-encoded displays of attribute values aid in
Self-potential (SP) logs in the two wells are shown interpretation of seismic data relevant to stratigraphy
in Figure I?. Massive shale and interbedded sand and sometimes to hydrocarbon accumulations. The
and shale zones, interpreted from the SP logs, corre- reflection-strength portrays reflectivity and hence
late well with attribute character, especially phase. information about impedance contrasts. The inLoss of reflections (low reflection strength and de- stantaneousphaseemphasizescoherency and changes
crease in phase coherence) and increased noise in dip of successive reflections. The instantaneous
(higher frequencies) characterize the supernormal frequency is useful in correlation and sometimes
pressure. massive shale zones. Circles indicate pro- appears to indicate hydrocarbon accumulations.
duction zones which have been drilled and letters Weighted average frequency aids in identification
indicate their order of thickness: A, less than 20 ft of major frequency variations, and apparent polarity
thick; B, 20-50 ft thick; C, 50- 150 ft thick. All the sometimes helps in identifying gas accumulations.
production is gas. The top of the supernormalpressure Lateral variations in all displays help localize
is indicated by SNP.
stratigraphic changes.
The productive zones generally correlate well with
ACKNOWLEDGMENIS
both reflection strength and low-frequency zones,
A number of people contributed to the work disalthough a few productive zones do not show as
obv,ious anomalies and a few anomalies are not cussed in this paper. Appreciation is especially exassociated with established production. The field is pressed to N. A. Anstey, R. ODoherty, and others
Taner et al
1060
in Seiscom Delta,
Payton. C. E., Ed.. 1977. seismic stratiyraphy-applica-
the aggregate of whose contribu-
tions have resulted
in the development
of these
techniques.
N. A. Anstey was the pioneer in both the development of the techniques and in appreciating
geological
significance.
published booklets,
their
He authored two privately
Seiscom 72
and Seiscom 73,
which have been important references.

The
assistance of clients
who elect to remain
anonymous is also acknowledged,
especially for their
permission to publish the sections.
REFERENCES
Balch, A. H., 1971, Color sonagrams: A new dimension
in seismic data Interpretation: Geophysics, v. 36, p.
1074-1098.
Bracewell, R. N., 1965, The Fourier transform and Its
applications: New York, McGraw-Hill
Book Co., Inc.,
p. 268-271.
Cramer, Harold, and Leadbetter, M. R., 1967, Frequency
detection and related topics: Stationary and related
stochastic processes, Ch. 14, New York, J. Wiley and
Sons
Famback.
S., 1975, The complex envelope in seismic

signal abtalysis: SSA Bull., Y. 6.5. p. 951-962.
Gabor, D., 1946, Theory ofcommunication.
part I: J. In\t.
Elect. Eng., v. 93, pan 111, p. 429-441.
Oppenheim, A. V., and Schafer, R. W., 1975, Digital
signal processing: Enylewood Cliffs. N. J., Prentice Hall.
PROCESSING
Let us define a seismic tracef
analytic
trace F(r),
tions to hydrocarbon exploration: AAPG Memoir 26;

Tulsa, Am. Assn. Petr. Geoloprsts.
Rabiner. L. R.. and Gold. B.. 197.5. theory and annlication
of dr_eital signal processing: Englewood Cliffs. N. J..
Prennce Hall. p. 70-72.
Reilly. M. D.. and Green. P. L.. 1976. Wave Equation
Mmration: presented at the 46th Annual intl
SEC
meeting October 27 in Houston.
Sheriff. R. E.. 1973. Encyclopedic dictionary of exploration geophysics: Tulsa, Society of Exploration Geophysicists.
~
1976. Inferring stratigraphy from seismic data:
Bulletin of Am. Asan. Petroleum Geologists. v. 60.
D. 528p.542.
Sheriff. R. E., and Farrell, J.. 1976. Display parameters
of marine geophysical data: Dallas. OTC paper no. 2567.
Sheriff. R. E., Crow. B. B., Frye. D. W., and Rao, K..
1977, Hydrocarbon delineation by analytic interpretation: Exploitation Studies. presented at the 47th Annual
Intl. SEG Meeting, October 27 in Calgary.
Taner, M. T., Sheriff, R. E., Koehler, F.. and Frye, D..
digital computer derivation and applications of velocity
functions: Geophysics, v. 34, p, 8599881.
Taner. M. T.. and Sheriff, R. E.. 1977. Application of
amplitude, frequency, and other attributes to stratigraphic
and hydrocarbon determination: in Applicatrons to
hydrocarbon exploration, C. E. Payton, Ed.. AAPG
Memoir 26: Tulsa, Am. Assn. Petroleum Geologists.
p. 301-327.
Taner. M. T., Sheriff. R. E.. Koehler, F., and Frye, D.,
1976, Extraction and interpretation of the complex
seismic trace: presented at the 46th Annual Intl. SEG
Meeting. October 28 in Houston.
APPENDIX A
APPLICATIONS
OF COMPLEX
TRACE
(t) as the real part of
where the quadrature
-fl(t)fZ(f
+ 7)ldt;
(A-3)
trace is
f*(t)
r
F(t)
=f
(t) + jf*(r)
= A(t) [cos O(r) + j sin e(r)].
(A-
4(T)
A,(t)A,(t
+ 7).
--x
I)
.cos[O,(t)
- 02(t + 7)ldt
1
Cross-correlation
The cross-correlation
and F*(r),
4(T) =
+_i
of two analytic traces, F,(r)
is
I -x
A,(t)A,(r
+ 7).
.sin[Ol(r) - 02(t + r)]dt.
Ix ~
f-l(~)FS(f + T)df,
(A-2)
Arrival
--r
times of signals of similar form. This has important
+_i
[f?
ccc
(f) .fi(t + 7)
J-SC
time measurement
Phase measurement determines the relative arrival
where the bar indicates the complex conjugate;
4(T) = _I[f~(t)fdf + 7) +f:(f)
(A-4)
implications in velocity spectra analysis, velocity and

(
)I
dip
determination
modeling,
, static time corrections,
As an example of a timing measurement.

take f(t)
linear
and in other processing.

as a 25.Hz
Ricker
let us
wavjelet sampled at
1061
4.msec intervals, and with a maximum value of I at

t = - 1 msec. To findf*(t) from the sampled values,
we use a 22-point operator designed for the sampling
interval of 4 msec. Values off; f*, and 0 at the three
sample points closest to the maximum off are
t
f* (1)
O(f)
-.49098
-30.278 degrees
IO. 102 degrees
50.362 degrees
f (1)
-4msec
.84096
Omsec .98159
4msec .59274
.I7489
.71554
and
-= (gJ+ (I@)*
Put
pin
N .
(f;
(A-8)
+f*f)
k=l
We estimate rmax, the time where f(r) h-as its

maximum value, in two waya:
1) the time where an interpolating quadratic for f (I)
has a maximum; this gives t,,, = -0.938 msec:
and
2) the time where 19(t)= 0 by linear interpolation;
this gives I,,, = - 1.007 msec, which is in error
by only 7 psec.
Equation (A-8) can be used for coherence computations such as those involved in velocity analysis. The
effectiveness of trace summation (stacking) can be
computed on a sample-by-sample basis, eliminating
the necessity of averaging over a time window.
Product of time series
The product of two time series is
F,F, = AI A, [cos(tl, + 0,) + j sin(81 + e,)].

Similarly,
F, E = AlAP [cos(O, - 0,) + j sin(O1 - O,)].

Conjugate of a convolution
(A-
If we let f(t) = J:, g(7) s (r - ~)d7, the quadrature trace f*(t) is given by either of the equivalent formulas
f*(I)
= Irn g(T)S*(t
-rn
- 7)dT,
or
(A-5)
f*(t)
- g*(T)S(t
I --m
- 7)dT.
If 0, = e2, F,F, will be real, but if 10, - f12)= 7r/2,

F,F, will be imaginary. Consequently. we can deduce the phase differences between complex time
series by noting the ratio between imaginary and real
parts.
If F, and F, are the same except for a phase shift
of0,
F,(t) F2(f) = A*(cos 0 + j sine),
When g(t) is a spike sequenceand s(r) is a wavelet,

the natural formula to use is the first of these.
Sum of time series
and the argument of the product ha\ the constant

value 0.
If F, and F, are conjugate pairs, then
F,(t)
We can consider simple filtering as a summation

and measureits performance by measuringthe outputto-input power ratio. The sum is given by summing
real and imaginary parts,
(A-6)
k=l
k=l
9)
F,(t)
= -jA(t)
cos O(t) sin e(t),
and arg(F,F,) = ST/~, the constantphase difference

between a trace and its conjugate.
Let us consider a complex cross-correlation over

the time window 7
k=l
$47) =
Power is given by
C F,(f) Fz(t + ~1
T
Pk(t) = Fk(f) Fk(t).

Hence the output-to-input power ratio is
_=
(A-7)
From equation (A-3).

following fnrm
we can write this in the
P,,t
pin
N-
c
k=l
(FrcFk)
+ j
x [JT(f)fiU
+ T)
Taner et al
1062
Table 1. 2.5Hz Ricker wavelet.
.o
.O
,721
.621
,956
40
,142
,824
.837
80
12
~ ,319
,590
,671
118
16
,445
,214
.494
154
20
,334
-.040
.336
187
24
~ ,175
-.I22
,213
215
28
,069
-.I08
,128
238
32
,021
-.072
,075
254
36
,005
-.045
,045
264
40
,001
-.028
.028
268
Al
A 2
cos (@, -
e2)
FIG, A- I. Relations between complex numbers rl and

r2.
-fl(r)fT(f
+ 711.
p.019
,019
270
48
-.Ol4
,014
270
52
-.OlO
,010
270
56
-.008
,008
270
60
-.006
,006
270
28.12
27.60
IO
26.53
14
24.88
18
22.51
22
19.54
26
15.73
30
11.20
34
6.81
38
3.12
42
1.11
46
.2l
50
.07
54
58
6 F,
IF,F,I [
(flf2 + fTf$)
u: +fT) VI + fZ2)
-
f1.E)
7)]
+I
and we can now show the same proportionsby dividing real and imaginary parts by the modulus
(fTf2
e,(r
+ 7).
.o
44
. {cos[O,(t)
(A- 10)
Thus, complex cross-correlationis composed of four

cross-correlationswhich can be computed in a normal
manner. If both traces are identical, then the crosscorrelation function is real at zero lag. Crosscorrelation can also be expressed in polar form
$(T) = ~&(+M
sin[O,(t) - O,(r + T)]}.
(A-
11)
Semblance
In the product F,G =A,A,[cos(B,
- 0,) +J
sin(0, ~ e,)], we can consider that the real part consistsof the product of the modulus of one of the componentswith the projection of the other onto it (Figure
A-l). Similarly, the imaginary part is the product of
the modulus of the one with the vector component ot
the other which is 90 degrees out of phase.
In rectangular coordinates, we can write the product in the form
(A- 12)
(f+fT)(ff+f:)
We can also show that

F2 F,
(fib
fTfi+)
.i (fTf2
fJ2*);
therefore, F,F, + F,F, = (f;f; + fff;),

which is
real. Note also that F, E = (q F.). Consequently, if
we compute the sum of all possible pairwise crossproductsbetween N complex numbers, the result will
be real
1063

Therefore. the average of the in-phase portion cbais
7
and
/N
A-
\o
zff;;*"+ 2
.I;
k=l
k=l
N-l
lx
(A- 14)
64 corresponds to averaging the cross-correlation
coefficients between real-valued time series. Note
that this equation is for one sample out of each complex time series.
Equation (A-8) expressed the ratio between input
and output power computed by summing N traces.
Let us consider the terms in the numerator, which
are squaresof sums of real and imaginary parts of a
trace. We know that
2 = $.f:
k=l
+ 2 %r
k=l
fkf,n,
Semblance is defined as the power of the sum

divided by the average power of the components of
the sum (Taner and Koehler. 1969; Sheriff, 1973).
Consequently we can compute the semblance coefficient o for a complex time series as
(A-15)
where
1
- ------das1.0
(NI)
m=k+l
APPENDIX B
COMPLEX TRACE EXAMPLE OF RICKER WAVELET
Let C(w) = (2/rf)12c02e+2,
4(w) = 0 in equation (I 1); this defines a Ricker wavelet. Then
f(t)
= (2,*)r~a~~
= (1 -
t2)
0 e-w212 cos wt do
e--t2/2.
The constant factor (2/ n)l* in B(w) was chosen so

that f(0) = 1. The conjugate trace is given by
m
F*(r)
w2e--w212 sinwtdo=
p
-
E,
G=!
(2m + l)!
t2m+l
2(2/4112t
e-t2/2
where (2z)
= {: F.m(yi_
. .
3) for m ~ 2
The maximum value of B(w) is attained for w =

~2 radians per unit time By a suitable choice of the
unit of time this maximizing value of o can be made
equal to any desired frequency. if WC take the unit
of time as 50~-(2)-/~ set, the maximizing frequency
is 25 Hz. Graphs for such a Rickcr wavelet are
shown in Figure 5 and data are listed in Table 1.
(Since the wavelet is symmetrical, only half of the
wavelet is listed.)

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Ci~HYSICS.

Complex seismic trace analysis

The quadraturetrace ,f* (1) then is

FIG. I Frequency domain representationsof (a) real

and the complex trace F(r) is

Complex trace analysis is discussed in electrical

Complex trace analysis treats a seismic trace .f (t)

I) be determined from f(t) by a linear convolution

A(t) is called reflection strength. and 19(r)is called

instantaneous phase (Bracewell, 1965).

This can be expressed in convolutional form as

d(7) e(t ~ T)d7,

where d(7) is the differentiation filter (Rabiner and

Complex Seismic Trace Analysis

the arctangent function itself

w(t) = f {tan-lY*0) /f (t)ll,

FIG. 2. Normalized Hilbert time-domain operator

= lornC(o) sin [wt + 4(w)]dw;

A(t - 7) w(t - T)L(r)dT

where L(T) is a low-pass filter. Apparenrpolarity is

We give equivalent ways of defining f*(t) and

The frequency-domain representationsof a real trace

where P.V. j-mmmeans the Cauchy principle value

The Hilbert transform can be .used to generate the

= j-omC(w) cos [wt + $(o)]dw,

-where C(w) -2jBjwji

f f(t - nAt) sinz(~2)

Complex Seismic Trace Analysis

FIG. 4. Isometric diagram of portion of an actual seismic trace.

Graphical representations and examples

its length and rotating, thus tracing out an irregular

FIG. 5. (a) Real partf(t), quadraturepart f*(t), complex amplitude IF(t

Complex Seismic Trace Analysis

coherency and the same signal-to-noise ratio. on real

Attribute measurements based on complex trace

Prograding sedimentary layer patterns and regions of

green end, the higher frequencies. Frrquencie\ lower

Reflection time in sec.

13. Seismic section for Gulf of Mexico

Complex Seismic Trace Analysis

with any sample

evlery half cycle

shows two portions

red and orange

A. (This section is shown

for line A in the Southern

scale allows a greater

such as buried foci and conflicting

Such a section does distort struc-

data are correlated

for a larcper portion

tion for Gulf

The use of lateral

General interpretation considerations

over long distances.

so that seismic e v*ents

for the zone of interest;

and the otfsct

along the bedding

are these attribute

Thus the cnscmble

of data prior to display

been used include