Short Course 5

State of the Art in Full Waveform Inversion (FWI)

Friday

6 June 2025

Time

To be confirmed

CPD Points

Instructor

Ian F. Jones
Independent Consultant

Overview

Over the past ten years, full waveform inversion (FWI) as emerged and developed to the point that is now the main technique of choice for detailed model building and reflectivity estimation for complex geological environments. In this review, the instructor will outline the underlying principles involved in FWI, detailing the use of RTM to estimate the location of subsurface parameter error, and introduce the many and varied ‘flavors’ of FWI, noting their limitations and benefits. Use of FWI for model estimation, reflectivity generation, and pre-sack attribute analysis (AVA) will be covered, and demonstrated with field data examples.

Course Outline

For the topics listed below, real data examples will be used to demonstrate the application and limitation of each technique.

• Why do we need a detailed velocity model?

• Migration using wavefield extrapolation methods (WEM, RTM, etc.) One-way versus two-way propagation

• Resolving short-scale-length velocity anomalies

• The mechanics of tomographic inversion with wavefield extrapolation theory (FWI) The scattering limit Refraction versus reflection Different ‘norms’ (dynamic versus kinematic: least-squares, travel time, phase, optimal transport)

• Examples of current industrial practice for various geological settings

Participants’ Profile

The course is designed to be followed by anyone with a broad geoscience background.

Prerequisites

No specific detailed foreknowledge is required, although a familiarity with geophysical terminology will be useful.

Time	Activity
08:00	Departure from conference center Messe Wien
09:00 – 09:20	Safety introduction ITC
09:20 – 10:50	ITC / TECH Center & Lab
10:50 – 11:00	Group exchange
11:00 – 12:30	ITC / TECH Center & Lab
12:30 – 13:30	Lunch at the ITC event area
14:30	Arrival back at conference center Messe Wien