Quantitative inversion of azimuthal anisotropy parameters from isotropic techniques

A new method is outlined that allows you to use isotropic seismic modeling and inversion technology in an anisotropic setting. The method is based on the mapping of the isotropic elastic parameters into effective elastic parameters, appropriate for the expected type of anisotropy. This paper outlines the transforms for VTI and HTI, but the method is extensible to TTI and other types of anisotropy. Examples show that the isotropic modeling with the effective elastic parameters produces the same results as full anisotropic modeling. Results from isotropic pre-stack seismic inversion can be predicted and analyzed using this technology.