Klauder wavelet removal before vibroseis deconvolution

The spiking deconvolution of a field seismic trace requires that the seismi c wavelet on the trace be minimum phase. On a dynamite trace, the component wavelets due to the effects of recording instruments, coupling, attenuatio n, ghosts, reverberations and other types of multiple reflection are minimu m phase. The seismic wavelet is the convolution of the component wavelets. As a result, the seismic wavelet on a dynamite trace is minimum phase and t hus can be removed by spiking deconvolution. However, on a correlated vibro seis trace, the seismic wavelet is the convolution of the zero-phase Klaude r wavelet with the component minimum-phase wavelets. Thus the seismic wavel et occurring on a correlated vibroseis trace does not meet the minimum-phas e requirement necessary for spiking deconvolution, and the final result of deconvolution is less than optimal. Over the years, this problem has been i nvestigated and various methods of correction have been introduced. In esse nce, the existing methods of vibroseis deconvolution make use of a correcti on that converts (on the correlated trace) the Klauder wavelet into its min imum-phase counterpart. The seismic wavelet, which is the convolution of th e minimum-phase counterpart with the component minimum-phase wavelets, is t hen removed by spiking deconvolution. This means that spiking deconvolution removes both the constructed minimum-phase Klauder counterpart and the com ponent minimum-phase wavelets. Here, a new method is proposed: instead of b eing converted to minimum phase, the Klauder wavelet is removed directly. T he spiking deconvolution can then proceed unimpeded as in the case of a dyn amite record. These results also hold for gap predictive deconvolution beca use gap deconvolution is a special case of spiking deconvolution in which t he deconvolved trace is smoothed by the front part of the minimum-phase wav elet that was removed.