US Patent 7545704 Performing 3-D scatterer imaging from 2-D seismic data

A method for analyzing seismic data from a formation. The method may first receive two-dimensional (2-D) seismic data of a formation comprising a number of individual seismic lines acquired over an exploration area and having a large interline spacing. The 2-D seismic data may then be preprocessed to enhance diffracted energy. For each respective hypothetical diffractor location, the method may then search for coherent diffraction arrivals on nearby 2-D seismic lines consistent with the respective hypothetical diffractor location. The method may then store information regarding identified diffractor locations. The method may then create a map based on the identified diffractor locations, wherein the map illustrates areas of high diffraction. The map may then be displayed on a display, wherein the map is useable to assess the formation.