Near-Real time, High Resolution Reservoir Monitoring and Modeling with Micro-earthquake Data
Abstract
We present a micro-earthquake recording and automated processing system along with a methodology to provide near-real time, high resolution reservoir monitoring and modeling. An interactive program for testing micro-earthquake network designs helps identify configurations for optimum accuracy and resolution. We select the Northwest Geysers, California geothermal field to showcase the usefulness of the system. The system's inexpensive recorders requires very little time or expertise to install, and the automated processing requires merely placing flash memory chips (or telemetry) into a computer. Together these make the deployment of a large numbers of sensors feasible and thus rapid, high resolution results possible. Data are arranged into input files for tomography for Vp, Vs, Qp and Qs, and their combinations to provide for interpretation in terms of rock properties. Micro-earthquake source parameters include seismic moments, full moment tensor solutions, stress drops, source durations, radiated energy, and hypocentral locations. The methodology for interpretation is to utilize visualization with GUI analysis to cross compare tomography and source property results along with borehole or other independent information and rock physics to identify reservoir properties. The system can potentially provide information heretofore unattainable or affordable to many small companies, organizations, and countries around the world.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2011
- Bibcode:
- 2011AGUFM.S41D..02H
- Keywords:
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- 7270 SEISMOLOGY / Tomography;
- 7294 SEISMOLOGY / Seismic instruments and networks