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Marine application of hydrocarbon microtremor analysis

Authors
R. Holzner* (Spectraseis), P. Eschle (Spectraseis), R. Dewarrat (Spectraseis), M. Lambert (Spectraseis) & R. Graf (Proseis AG)
Published at
Passive Seismic: Exploration and Monitoring Applications, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Publication date
10 December 2006
Abstract
Hydrocarbon Microtremor Analysis (HyMAS) is an innovative technology for identifying the presence of hydrocarbon containing geological structures by analyzing low frequency seismic background wave signals. Hydrocarbon indicating information is extracted from spectral modifications of naturally occurring background waves in the 0.1 – 20 Hz range interacting with hydrocarbon bearing porous structures. Results from a recent land pilot survey for PETROBRAS in Brazil as well as from an R&D survey supported by RAG in Austria demonstrated the successful application of HyMAS on land. A comparison of background wave data from these campaigns with similar data from an ocean bottom sensor near Monterey, California shows promising conditions for a forthcoming shallow water trial on the Norwegian shelf in collaboration with Norsk Hydro.