EAGE E-Lecture: Reverse Time Migration: How Does It Work, When To Use It by Etienne Robein

Building an accurate image of the subsurface in complex geological settings remains a serious issue for geophysicists. If the first challenge in this context remains to build a model of the velocity at which waves propagate in the subsurface, the second one is to compute the seismic image itself and Reverse Time Migration or RTM, is one answer to this challenge.
In this E-Lecture Etienne Robein explains how RTM works and why it provides generally superior results to those of other migration methods in complex areas, but he discusses also its main limitation: RTM is a computer intensive tool to migrate high frequencies.

This video is part of EAGE Online Education Programme.

The following courses by Etienne Robein are available via EAGE:

- Seismic Imaging: A Review of the Techniques, their Principles, Merits and Limitations (EET 4)
- Seismic Depth Imaging and Anisotropic Velocity Model Building

Consult our Calendar or Events for the next deliveries or request an in-house training proposal!

[jasonbeall]

The best explanation of RTM I have ever seen! Excellent.

[alirezama]

One of the best presentation that I have seen yet on RTM. The way that you generated cartoon to make it more understandable was amazing. Good Job Etienne. Wait for more.

[paulveeken]

Even after three years the presentation didnot loose its actuality and it is a great visual supported explanation of the RTM methodology. Highly recommendable to watch!!

[EAGEchannel]

Thank you all for your feedback! Etienne Robein is also the author of another E-Lecture on velocity model building and we hope to see more from him in the future!

[razectorres]

I implemented the RTM algorithm and it is actually quite computationally costly (a cluster required), especially in TTI anisotropy models. The big challenge is to properly choose correlated wave fields so you do not spend as much memory on your computer. Great Lecture !

Very easy to understand theoretically, Thanks.

[christianelrahi]

Excellent explanation for the RTM process.
Thank you!

[diegoventuro]

I had a good experience using RTM in peruvian foothills in 2015, the image of 3D seismic that we acquired improved a lot in comparisson to Kirchoff migration.

I have attended a Etienne course in Houston in 2014, totally recomended.

[Tarvos]

This was an excellent video. Thank you

[philsalvador]

I liked this presentation, though parts of the material were difficult for me to grasp due to lack of background and training on my part (I am a development geologist). Etienne Robein presented the material at a pace that I could keep up with - though not always comprehend perfectly - not his fault - and I am satisfied that I have a much better understanding of the RTM method and its strengths and weaknesses.

[mattaitchison]

Good content but the editing needs sorting out. There is too much quick jumping between the slide only view and the slide + presenter view, making it very difficult to focus on the content of the slides.

[antong]

For those interested in imaging I would like to recommend you a book by Etienne Robein "Seismic Imaging: A Review of the Techniques, their Principles, Merits and Limitations" - it is the best introductory thing for every background level