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Multiple removal: an overview and perspective of current capability, algorithmic assumptions and open issues

ARTHUR B. WEGLEIN1 ,  JING WU2 ,  FREDERICO XAVIER DE MELO2 ,  JOHN T. ETGEN3 ,  JAMES D. MAYHAN1
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1 M-OSRP, Physics Department, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, U.SA.,
2 WesternGeco/Schlumberger, 3730 Briarpark Dr., Houston, TX 77042, U.S.A.,
3 BP Houston, 501Westlake Park Blvd., Houston, TX 77079, U.S.A.,
JSE 2022, 31(1), 19–32;
Submitted: 9 June 2025 | Revised: 9 June 2025 | Accepted: 9 June 2025 | Published: 9 June 2025
© 2025 by the Authors. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
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Abstract

Weglein, A.B., Wu, J., Xavier de Melo, F., Etgen, J.T. and Mayhan, J.D., 2022. Multiple removal: an overview and perspective of current capability, algorithmic assumptions and open issues. Journal of Seismic Exploration, 31: 19-32 This is the second paper of a two-paper set - the first describes in detail why multiples must be removed at some point within all seismic processing methods-and there are absolutely no exceptions. With that ‘why’ issue established and in place, this second paper then proceeds to address the ‘how’ aspect, and therein provides a tool-box perspective on overall industry collective capability. All seismic methods make assumptions, and have prerequisites - and, requiring subsurface information has become an increasing difficult assumption to satisfy. The latter challenge is largely due to the industry trend to deep water and more complex offshore and on-shore plays. That reality motivated the development of multiple removal methods that did not require subsurface information. The distinct inverse scattering subseries for removing free surface and internal multiples are the only multiple removal methods that require absolutely no subsurface information. This paper provides a guide and perspective for making a well-informed cost- effective choice within the toolbox. No method is the cost-effective choice under all circumstances - and under certain situations a less effective and less costly choice might do a reasonable job. The development of more effective, and sometimes more costly, options provide the opportunity to pay more to receive more, when that heightened capability is necessary and needed. It is necessary to know what are the assumptions and prerequisites behind every multiple removal method, within the toolbox, in order to: (1) make an informed cost-effective choice, among tool-box options, and (2) to define open issues and challenges. There is a truism, that today’s reasonable assumption will be tomorrow’s impediment to effectiveness and obstruction to progress. The multiple removal toolbox is always a work in progress - and no method has been, or ever will be, the last and final word.

Keywords
overview
multiples
primaries
multiple removal
tool box
cost-effective options
on-shore
off-shore
progress and open issues
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Journal of Seismic Exploration, Electronic ISSN: 0963-0651 Print ISSN: 0963-0651, Published by AccScience Publishing
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