We present a case study from the Kwanza basin offshore Angola where we built a detailed tilted transversely isotropic (TTI) model over an area of more than 8000 km 2 with very limited well control using different types of geological constraints. We incorporate general knowledge of the area and analysis of data anellepticity in the process, derive Thomsen's δ in wells from a neighboring area, and use spatially variable ε and δ fields, honoring the variation of the anellipticity and the geometry of the provided horizon interpretation. During velocity update iterations, we use tomography with implicit and explicit geological constraints to speed-up the convergence and optimize the image. The results are compared against images produced with both a much simpler regional TTI model and a legacy isotropic model. We demonstrate that accounting for TTI in complex media is a prerequisite for producing geologically plausible and interpretable images, and that adding dataand interpretation-driven complexity in the TTI models improves further the imaging of pre-salt targets.
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