Assessment of 4D seismic repeatability and CO2 detection limits using a sparse permanent land array at the Aquistore CO2 storage site

Geophysics ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. WA1-WA13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. N. Roach ◽  
Donald J. White ◽  
Brian Roberts

Two 3D time-lapse seismic surveys were acquired in 2012 and 2013 at the Aquistore [Formula: see text] storage site prior to the start of [Formula: see text] injection. Using these surveys, we determined the background time-lapse noise at the site and assessed the feasibility of using a sparse areal permanent receiver array as a monitoring tool. Applying a standard processing sequence to these data, we adequately imaged the reservoir at 3150–3350 m depth. Evaluation of the impact of each processing step on the repeatability revealed a general monotonic increase in similarity between the data sets as a function of processing. The prestack processing sequence reduced the normalized root mean squared difference (nrms) from 1.13 between the raw stacks to 0.13 after poststack time migration. The postmigration cross-equalization sequence further reduced the global nrms to 0.07. A simulation of the changes in seismic response due to a range of [Formula: see text] injection scenarios suggested that [Formula: see text] was detectable within the reservoir at the Aquistore site provided that zones of greater thickness than 6–13 m have reached [Formula: see text] saturations of greater than 5%.

Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (6) ◽  
pp. B243-B252 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Bergmann ◽  
Artem Kashubin ◽  
Monika Ivandic ◽  
Stefan Lüth ◽  
Christopher Juhlin

A method for static correction of time-lapse differences in reflection arrival times of time-lapse prestack seismic data is presented. These arrival-time differences are typically caused by changes in the near-surface velocities between the acquisitions and had a detrimental impact on time-lapse seismic imaging. Trace-to-trace time shifts of the data sets from different vintages are determined by crosscorrelations. The time shifts are decomposed in a surface-consistent manner, which yields static corrections that tie the repeat data to the baseline data. Hence, this approach implies that new refraction static corrections for the repeat data sets are unnecessary. The approach is demonstrated on a 4D seismic data set from the Ketzin [Formula: see text] pilot storage site, Germany, and is compared with the result of an initial processing that was based on separate refraction static corrections. It is shown that the time-lapse difference static correction approach reduces 4D noise more effectively than separate refraction static corrections and is significantly less labor intensive.


Geophysics ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. B37-B50 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Bergmann ◽  
M. Ivandic ◽  
B. Norden ◽  
C. Rücker ◽  
D. Kiessling ◽  
...  

A combination of seismic and geoelectric processing was studied by means of a structurally constrained inversion approach. Structural constraints were interpreted from the seismic data and integrated into the geoelectric inversion through a local regularization, which allowed inverted resistivities to behave discontinuously across defined boundaries. This arranged seismic processing and constrained resistivity inversion in a sequential workflow, making the generic assumption that the petrophysical parameters of both methods change across common lithostructural boundaries. We evaluated the approach using a numerical example and a real data example from the Ketzin [Formula: see text] pilot storage site, Germany. The latter demonstrated the efficiency of this approach for combining 4D seismic and surface-downhole geoelectric data. In consistence with the synthetic example, the constrained resistivity inversions produced clearer delineated images along the boundary between caprock and reservoir formation. Near the [Formula: see text]-flooded reservoir, the seismic and geoelectric time-lapse anomalies correlated well. At some distance to the downhole electrodes, however, the geoelectric images conveyed a notably lower resolution in comparison to the corresponding seismic images. Both methods confirm a northwesterly trend for the [Formula: see text] migration at the Ketzin site, although a rather northerly direction was initially expected. The results demonstrate the relevance of the presented approach for the combination of both methods for integrated geophysical [Formula: see text] storage monitoring.


Geophysics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (3) ◽  
pp. B95-B107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. N. Roach ◽  
Donald J. White ◽  
Brian Roberts ◽  
Doug Angus

The first post-[Formula: see text]-injection 3D time-lapse seismic survey was conducted at the Aquistore [Formula: see text] storage site in February 2016 using the same permanent array of buried geophones used for acquisition of three previous pre-[Formula: see text]-injection surveys from March 2012 to November 2013. By February 2016, 36 kilotons of [Formula: see text] have been injected within the reservoir between 3170 and 3370 m depth. We have developed time-lapse results from analysis of the first post-[Formula: see text]-injection data and three pre-[Formula: see text]-injection data sets. The objective of our analysis was to evaluate the ability of the permanent array to detect the injected [Formula: see text]. A “4D-friendly simultaneous” processing flow was applied to the data in an effort to maximize the repeatability between the pre- and post-[Formula: see text]-injection volumes while optimizing the final subsurface image including the reservoir. Excellent repeatability was achieved among all surveys with global normalized root-mean-square (Gnrms) values of 1.13–1.19 for the raw prestack data relative to the baseline data, which decreased during processing to Gnrms values of approximately 0.10 for the final crossequalized migrated data volumes. A zone of high normalized root-mean-square (nrms) values (0.11–0.25 as compared with background values of 0.05–0.10) is identified within the upper Deadwood unit of the storage reservoir, which likely corresponds to approximately 18 kilotons of [Formula: see text]. No significant nrms anomalies are observed within the other reservoir units due to a combination of reduced seismic sensitivity, higher background nrms values, and/or small quantities of [Formula: see text] residing within these zones.


Geophysics ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. WA35-WA48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don J. White ◽  
Lisa A. N. Roach ◽  
Brian Roberts

A sparse areal permanent array of buried geophones was deployed at the Aquistore [Formula: see text] storage site in Saskatchewan, Canada. The purpose of this array is to facilitate 4D seismic monitoring of [Formula: see text] that is to be injected to the deep subsurface. Use of a sparse buried array is designed to improve the repeatability of time-lapse data and to economize the monitoring effort. Prior to the start of [Formula: see text] injection, two 3D dynamite seismic surveys were acquired in March 2012 and May 2013 using the permanent array. The objective of acquiring these data was to allow an assessment of the data repeatability and overall performance of the permanent array. A comparison of the raw data from these surveys and with a conventional high-resolution 3D vibroseis survey demonstrated that (1) the signal-to-noise ratio for the buried geophones was increased by 6–7 dB relative to surface-deployed geophones and by an additional 20 dB for dynamite relative to a vibroseis source, (2) the use of buried sensors and sources at this site did not appear to be significantly degraded by the effects of ghosting, (3) repeatability for the permanent array data was excellent with a mean normalized root-mean-square (nrms) value of 57% for the raw baseline-monitor difference, (4) the variance of nrms values was higher for shot gathers (18%) compared with receiver gathers (7%), and (5) the raw data repeatability was a factor of three improved over that of comparable surface-geophone data acquired at a nearby location. The use of a sparse buried permanent array at the Aquistore site has demonstrably achieved a reduction in ambient noise levels and overall enhanced data repeatability, both of which are keys to successful 4D seismic monitoring.


2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (03) ◽  
pp. 391-402
Author(s):  
Sunday Amoyedo ◽  
Emmanuel Ekut ◽  
Rasaki Salami ◽  
Liliana Goncalves-Ferreira ◽  
Pascal Desegaulx

Summary This paper presents case studies focused on the interpretation and integration of seismic reservoir monitoring from several fields in conventional offshore and deepwater Niger Delta. The fields are characterized by different geological settings and development-maturity stages. We show different applications varying from qualitative to quantitative use of time-lapse (4D) seismic information. In the first case study, which is in shallow water, the field has specific reservoir-development challenges, simple geology, and is in phased development. On this field, 4D seismic, which was acquired several years ago, is characterized by poor seismic repeatability. Nevertheless, we show that because of improvements from seismic reprocessing, 4D seismic makes qualitative contributions to the ongoing field development. In the second case study, the field is characterized by complex geological settings. The 4D seismic is affected by overburden with strong lateral variations in velocity and steeply dipping structure (up to 40°). Prestack-depth-imaging (PSDM) 4D seismic is used in a more-qualitative manner to monitor gas injection, validate the geologic/reservoir models, optimize infill injector placement, and consequently, enhance field-development economics. The third case study presents a deep offshore field characterized by a complex depositional system for some reservoirs. In this example, good 4D-seismic repeatability (sum of source- and receiver-placement differences between surveys, dS+dR) is achieved, leading to an increased quantitative use of 4D monitoring for the assessment of sand/sand communication, mapping of oil/water (OWC) front, pressure evolution, and dynamic calibration of petro-elastic model (PEM), and also as a seismic-based production-logging tool. In addition, 4D seismic is used to update seismic interpretation, provide a better understanding of internal architecture of the reservoirs units, and, thereby, yield a more-robust reservoir model. The 4D seismic in this field is a key tool for field-development optimization and reservoir management. The last case study illustrates the need for seismic-feasibility studies to detect 4D responses related to production. In addition to assessing the impact of the field environment on the 4D- seismic signal, these studies also help in choosing the optimum seismic-survey type, design, and acquisition parameters. These studies would possibly lead to the adoption of new technologies such as broad-band streamer or nodes acquisition in the near future.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaj Kumar Tiwari ◽  
Zoann Low ◽  
Parimal Arjun Patil ◽  
Debasis Priyadarshan Das ◽  
Prasanna Chidambaram ◽  
...  

Abstract Monitoring of CO2 plume migration in a depleted carbonate reservoir is challenging and demand comprehensive and trailblazing monitoring technologies. 4D time-lapse seismic exhibits the migration of CO2 plume within geological storage but in the area affected by gas chimney due to poor signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), uncertainty in identifying and interpretation of CO2 plume gets exaggerated. High resolution 3D vertical seismic profile (VSP) survey using distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) technology fulfil the objective of obtaining the detailed subsurface image which include CO2 plume migration, reservoir architecture, sub-seismic faults and fracture networks as well as the caprock. Integration of quantitative geophysics and dynamic simulation with illumination modelling dignify the capabilities of 3D DAS-VSP for CO2 plume migration monitoring. The storage site has been studied in detailed and an integrated coupled dynamic simulation were performed and results were integrated with seismic forward modeling to demonstrate the CO2 plume migration with in reservoir and its impact on seismic amplitude. 3D VSP illumination modelling was carried out by integrating reservoir and overburden interpretations, acoustic logs and seismic velocity to illustrate the subsurface coverage area at top of reservoir. Several acquisition survey geometries were simulated based on different source carpet size for effective surface source contribution for subsurface illumination and results were analyzed to design the 3D VSP survey for early CO2 plume migration monitoring. The illumination simulation was integrated with dynamic simulation for fullfield CO2 plume migration monitoring with 3D DAS-VSP by incorporating Pseudo wells illumination analysis. Results of integrated coupled dynamic simulation and 4D seismic feasibility were analyzed for selection of best well location to deploy the multi fiber optic sensor system (M-FOSS) technology. Amplitude response of synthetic AVO (amplitude vs offsets) gathers at the top of carbonate reservoir were analyzed for near, mid and far angle stacks with respect to pre-production as well as pre-injection reservoir conditions. Observed promising results of distinguishable 25-30% of CO2 saturation in depleted reservoir from 4D time-lapse seismic envisage the application of 3D DAS-VSP acquisition. The source patch analysis of 3D VSP illumination modelling results indicate that a source carpet of 6km×6km would be cos-effectively sufficient to produce a maximum of approximately 2km in diameter subsurface illumination at the top of the reservoir. The Pseudo wells illumination analysis results show that current planned injection wells would probably able to monitor early CO2 injection but for the fullfield monitoring additional monitoring wells or a hybrid survey of VSP and surface seismic would be required. The integrated modeling approach ensures that 4D Seismic in subsurface CO2 plume monitoring is robust. Monitoring pressure build-ups from 3D DAS-VSP will reduce the associated risks.


Author(s):  
J. Kasahara ◽  
A. Kato ◽  
M. Takanashi ◽  
Y. Hasada ◽  
S. Lüth ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don White ◽  
Kyle Harris ◽  
Lisa Roach ◽  
Saeid Cheraghi ◽  
Brian Roberts ◽  
...  

Geophysics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (1) ◽  
pp. M1-M13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yichuan Wang ◽  
Igor B. Morozov

For seismic monitoring injected fluids during enhanced oil recovery or geologic [Formula: see text] sequestration, it is useful to measure time-lapse (TL) variations of acoustic impedance (AI). AI gives direct connections to the mechanical and fluid-related properties of the reservoir or [Formula: see text] storage site; however, evaluation of its subtle TL variations is complicated by the low-frequency and scaling uncertainties of this attribute. We have developed three enhancements of TL AI analysis to resolve these issues. First, following waveform calibration (cross-equalization) of the monitor seismic data sets to the baseline one, the reflectivity difference was evaluated from the attributes measured during the calibration. Second, a robust approach to AI inversion was applied to the baseline data set, based on calibration of the records by using the well-log data and spatially variant stacking and interval velocities derived during seismic data processing. This inversion method is straightforward and does not require subjective selections of parameterization and regularization schemes. Unlike joint or statistical inverse approaches, this method does not require prior models and produces accurate fitting of the observed reflectivity. Third, the TL AI difference is obtained directly from the baseline AI and reflectivity difference but without the uncertainty-prone subtraction of AI volumes from different seismic vintages. The above approaches are applied to TL data sets from the Weyburn [Formula: see text] sequestration project in southern Saskatchewan, Canada. High-quality baseline and TL AI-difference volumes are obtained. TL variations within the reservoir zone are observed in the calibration time-shift, reflectivity-difference, and AI-difference images, which are interpreted as being related to the [Formula: see text] injection.


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