Low-frequency seismic gives geophysicists a new look at reservoir information
Published in
The American Oil & Gas Reporter
Date of publication
30 June 2008
Abstract
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND–The past few years have seen an explosion of global geophysical activity. In the quest to image hydrocarbon reserves more precisely, operators have looked for means by which they can further enhance conventional seismic and electromagnetic exploration techniques, and improve the value of the data generated.
The increasingly complex and remote reservoirs, often characterized by poor seismic responses with acoustic and electrical signals obscured, have exacerbated the need to improve the value of conventional seismic data and adopt techniques that complement them.
One such technology is low-frequency (LF) passive seismic technology, which is helping to improve the value of conventional seismic data by overlaying structural interpretations with reservoir information. Where geographic and/or political obstacles stand in the way, LF passive seismic has the potential to operate in areas off limits to traditional exploration, paving the way for new resource plays.
This article will look at the development of LF passive seismic,what it has achieved to date in conjunction with conventional seismic, the future impact it will have on oil and gas exploration, and some of the challenges in further commercializing the technology.
One future development we will look at is how LF passive seismic is localizing hydrocarbon microtremors through the technique of time reverse modeling.
The increasingly complex and remote reservoirs, often characterized by poor seismic responses with acoustic and electrical signals obscured, have exacerbated the need to improve the value of conventional seismic data and adopt techniques that complement them.
One such technology is low-frequency (LF) passive seismic technology, which is helping to improve the value of conventional seismic data by overlaying structural interpretations with reservoir information. Where geographic and/or political obstacles stand in the way, LF passive seismic has the potential to operate in areas off limits to traditional exploration, paving the way for new resource plays.
This article will look at the development of LF passive seismic,what it has achieved to date in conjunction with conventional seismic, the future impact it will have on oil and gas exploration, and some of the challenges in further commercializing the technology.
One future development we will look at is how LF passive seismic is localizing hydrocarbon microtremors through the technique of time reverse modeling.
