Microseismic Monitoring and Geomechanical Modelling of CO2 Storage in Subsurface Reservoirs

Microseismic Monitoring and Geomechanical Modelling of CO2 Storage in Subsurface Reservoirs
Author: James P. Verdon
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 193
Release: 2012-01-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3642253881

This thesis presents an impressive summary of the potential to use passive seismic methods to monitor the sequestration of anthropogenic CO2 in geologic reservoirs. It brings together innovative research in two distinct areas – seismology and geomechanics – and involves both data analysis and numerical modelling. The data come from the Weyburn-Midale project, which is currently the largest Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project in the world. James Verdon’s results show how passive seismic monitoring can be used as an early warning system for fault reactivation and top seal failure, which may lead to the escape of CO2 at the surface.

3C Seismic and VSP: Converted waves and vector wavefield applications

3C Seismic and VSP: Converted waves and vector wavefield applications
Author: James Gaiser
Publisher: SEG Books
Total Pages: 637
Release: 2016-06-30
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1560803355

3C seismic applications provide enhanced rock property characterization of the reservoir that can complement P-wave methods. Continued interest in converted P- to S-waves (PS-waves) and vertical seismic profiles (VSPs) has resulted in the steady development of advanced vector wavefield techniques. PS-wave images along with VSP data can be used to help P-wave interpretation of structure in gas obscured zones, of elastic and fluid properties for lithology discrimination from S-wave impedance and density inversion in unconventional reservoirs, and of fracture characterization and stress monitoring from S-wave birefringence (splitting) analysis. The book, which accompanies the 2016 SEG Distinguished Instructor Short Course, presents an overview of 3C seismic theory and practical application: from fundamentals of PS-waves and VSPs, through to acquisition and processing including interpretation techniques. The emphasis is on unique aspects of vector wavefields, anisotropy, and the important relationships that unify S-waves and P-waves. Various applications and case studies demonstrate image benefits from PS-waves, elastic properties and fluid discrimination from joint inversion of amplitude variations with offset/angle (AVO/A), and VSP methods for anisotropic velocity model building and improved reservoir imaging. The book will be of interest to geophysicists, geologists, and engineers, especially those involved with or considering the use of AVO/A inversion, fracture/stress characterization analyses, or interpretation in gas-obscured reservoirs.

Rock Fractures and Fluid Flow

Rock Fractures and Fluid Flow
Author: National Research Council
Publisher: National Academies Press
Total Pages: 568
Release: 1996-08-27
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0309049962

Scientific understanding of fluid flow in rock fracturesâ€"a process underlying contemporary earth science problems from the search for petroleum to the controversy over nuclear waste storageâ€"has grown significantly in the past 20 years. This volume presents a comprehensive report on the state of the field, with an interdisciplinary viewpoint, case studies of fracture sites, illustrations, conclusions, and research recommendations. The book addresses these questions: How can fractures that are significant hydraulic conductors be identified, located, and characterized? How do flow and transport occur in fracture systems? How can changes in fracture systems be predicted and controlled? Among other topics, the committee provides a geomechanical understanding of fracture formation, reviews methods for detecting subsurface fractures, and looks at the use of hydraulic and tracer tests to investigate fluid flow. The volume examines the state of conceptual and mathematical modeling, and it provides a useful framework for understanding the complexity of fracture changes that occur during fluid pumping and other engineering practices. With a practical and multidisciplinary outlook, this volume will be welcomed by geologists, petroleum geologists, geoengineers, geophysicists, hydrologists, researchers, educators and students in these fields, and public officials involved in geological projects.

Seismic Forward Modeling of Fractures and Fractured Medium Inversion

Seismic Forward Modeling of Fractures and Fractured Medium Inversion
Author: Xiaoqin Cui
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 170
Release: 2017-06-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9811035849

This detailed book systematically investigates subsurface geological fractures using rock mechanics, geology, and geophysics. Based on geological fracture mechanisms and fracture boundary conditions, it presents new finite-difference equations for the simulation of seismic wave responses to geological fractures, and proposes innovative AVO inversion equations for the accurate estimation of the rock properties of the fractured medium. It employs schematics, snapshots, color images and charts to demonstrate the mechanical characteristics of the fractures, the seismic wave-field response to the fractures, the seismic data attributes of the fractures and the rock properties of the fractures obtained via inversion. It provides a new methodology for enhancing geological fracture detection technology and for the accurate delineation of fractured reservoirs that ultimately benefits reservoir and mining engineers, geologists and geophysicists in terms of optimizing reservoir recovery, well performance and mining safety.

Seismology of Azimuthally Anisotropic Media and Seismic Fracture Characterization

Seismology of Azimuthally Anisotropic Media and Seismic Fracture Characterization
Author: I. D. T︠S︡vankin
Publisher: SEG Books
Total Pages: 512
Release: 2011
Genre: Nature
ISBN: 1560802286

Presents an analysis of seismic signatures for azimuthally anisotropic media and shows anisotropic inversion/processing methods for wide-azimuth reflection data and VSP surveys. The focus is kinematic parameter-estimation techniques; the prestack amplitudes section includes AVO and attenuation coefficients; field examples are included.

Geophysics Today

Geophysics Today
Author: Sergey Fomel
Publisher: SEG Books
Total Pages: 543
Release: 2010
Genre: Science
ISBN: 156080226X

Presents a collection of papers which appear in the September-October 2010 Geophysics special section, written by recognised experts in various areas of exploration geophysics, plus an additional group of papers drawn from Geophysics which address areas beyond those invited articles. The result is a snapshot of the state-of-the-art in the field.

Reflection Coefficients and Azimuthal AVO Analysis in Anisotropic Media

Reflection Coefficients and Azimuthal AVO Analysis in Anisotropic Media
Author: Mark Naumovich Berdichevskiĭ
Publisher: SEG Books
Total Pages: 201
Release: 2002
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 1560801077

Observing offset-dependent seismic reflectivity has proven to be a valuable exploration tool for the direct detection of hydrocarbons. This monograph provides a comprehensive review of reflection coefficients and their approximations in isotropic media, followed by an in-depth discussion of reflection amplitudes in anisotropic media. No prior knowledge of seismic anisotropy is assumed, and considerable effort is spent to introduce wave propagation and medium parameterizations useful for surface seismic applications in the presence of anisotropy. The first anisotropic model discussed is transverse isotropy with a vertical axis of symmetry (VTI media), typically used to describe shale sequences. Then the study of VTI reflection coefficients is extended to transverse isotropy with a horizontal axis of symmetry (HTI) - the symmetry system that describes a system of parallel vertical cracks. Analysis of the "Shuey-type" approximate HTI P-wave reflection coefficient makes it possible to devise fracture-detection algorithms based on the inversion of azimuthal differences of the P-wave AVO gradient. The monograph also presents analysis of shear- and converted-wave reflection coefficients for HTI and orthorhombic models, discusses practical aspects of applying the azimuthal AVO analysis, and mentions promising recent results.