Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.

Gas Research Institute

James Eugene Uhl

Eric James Davis

Norman Raymond Warpinski

Norman R Warpinski

Chris Wright

James F Ward

Ernest Blayne Whetten

A system and method for microseismic fracture mapping using seismic source timing measurements for velocity calibration is disclosed. The system may include a seismic source coupled to a wireline and a seismic source trigger, a sensor capable of detecting a first signal from the seismic source trigger, a transmitter coupled to the sensor, capable of transmitting a time value associated with the first signal, a receiver capable of detecting an event generated by the seismic source; and an analyzer capable of calculating a microseismic velocity of the event. In one embodiment, a first signal is transmitted through a wireline to trigger a seismic source. The first signal is detected, and a first time value associated with the first signal is transmitted. An event associated with the seismic source is detected and a second signal associated with the event is transmitted to an analyzer. A microseismic velocity is calibrated based on the time difference between the first time value and a second time value associated with the second signal.

Microseismic fracture mapping using seismic source timing measurements for velocity calibration

A high speed microseismic event detector constructed in accordance with the present invention uses a point derivative comb to quickly and accurately detect microseismic events. Compressional and shear waves impinging upon microseismic receiver stations disposed to collect waves are converted into digital data and analyzed using a point derivative comb including assurance of quiet periods prior to declaration of microseismic events. If a sufficient number of quiet periods have passed, the square of a two point derivative of the incoming digital signal is compared to a trip level threshold exceeding the determined noise level to declare a valid trial event. The squaring of the derivative emphasizes the differences between noise and signal, and the valid event is preferably declared when the trip threshold has been exceeded over a temporal comb width to realize a comb over a given time period. Once a trial event has been declared, the event is verified through a spatial comb, which applies the temporal event comb to additional stations. The detector according to the present invention quickly and accurately detects initial compressional waves indicative of a microseismic event which typically exceed the ambient cultural noise level by a small amount, and distinguishes the waves from subsequent larger amplitude shear waves.

High speed point derivative microseismic detector

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Albuquerque, NM, United States of America

James Eugene Uhl