Feasibility of sparker source in marine seismic exploration: data analysis and processing

Sparkers are the sound source widely used in marine seismic exploration to provide high-resolution vertical sections. Sparkers are relatively simple, inexpensive, high-frequency sources. In this study, the types of noise occurring in sparker source data were analyzed and attenuated by a processing technique. Frequency–wave number (f–k) filtering is used for attenuating the linear noise. Predictive deconvolution is used for attenuating the ghost waves and bubble effects. A complete processing workflow was designed for processing the data, and the migration section was obtained. The results show that the sparker source data are capable of achieving vertical sections with very high resolution. It is suggested as a necessary technique for high-accuracy gas hydrate exploration in the South China Sea.