METHOD AND APPARATUS OF PERFORMING AMPLITUDE VARIATION WITH OFFSET ANALYSIS

A method for performing amplitude variation with offset (AVO) analysis of a plurality of seismic data traces. The method includes fitting at least a two-term AVO equation to at least three seismic data traces having small angles of incidence using a curve fitting technique to generate an AVO intercept and an AVO gradient, computing a plurality of synthetic seismic data traces using the AVO intercept and the AVO gradient, subtracting the synthetic seismic traces from the plurality of seismic data traces to generate a plurality of higher-order seismic data traces characterized by a residual AVO equation, and fitting the residual AVO equation to the higher order seismic data traces having large angles of incidence using the curve fitting technique to generate a higher order AVO attribute.