Elastic wave reverse time migration imaging method for deep geothermal rock mass

Key words:  deep geothermal rock mass  elastic wave imaging  separation of P- and S-waves  reverse time migration

Abstract:

Geothermal energy is gaining global attention as a clean energy source, underscoring the significance of precise imaging of deep geothermal reservoirs. The conventional elastic reverse time migration (E-RTM) technique relies on direct imaging of coupled P- and S- waves, which often leads to imaging artifacts and unclear images. In this study, we propose an approach based on the decoupled elastic wave equation to independently handle P- and S- wavefields.We apply this approach to two typical hot dry rock models using inner product imaging conditions. The numerical simulations demonstrate that the decoupled elastic wave imaging profiles provide clearer event representations and a more evenly distributed energy profile in the deeper regions compared to imaging results obtained from coupled wavefields. This method showcases the potential for achieving high-quality imaging of deep geothermal reservoirs.