Apparatus and methods for applying time lapse VSP to monitor a reservoir

A method for monitoring a reservoir in the subterrane, comprising the steps of:

• (a) generating model seismic data from a model of the subterrane;
• (b) modifying the model of the subterrane based on a comparison to current vertical seismic profile data, to create a modified model of the subterrane which now becomes the model of the subterrane;
• (c) carrying out steps (c) and (d) until the differences between the model seismic data and the vertical seismic profile data are as desired;
• (d) obtaining model production data from a reservoir model derived from the model of the subterrane, and if the differences between the reservoir model data and actual production data are not as desired, modifying the model of the subterrane to create an updated model of the subterrane which now becomes the model of the subterrane, and returning to step (a);
• (e) generating seismic model data for a certain time t from the reservoir model;
• and
• (f) comparing the seismic model data with actual seismic data for the certain time t, and if the differences are not as desired either modify the reservoir model and return to step (f) or modify the model of the subterrane and return to step (c).

A method for monitoring a reservoir in the subterrane, comprising the steps of:

• (a) screening the reservoir to determine if the reservoir comprises at least one suitable property selected from the group consisting of geologic properties, fluid properties, dry rock properties and saturated rock properties;
• (b) modeling the reservoir to determine if vertical seismic profiling of the reservoir over time, will provide a suitable time variant response;
• (c) generating model seismic data from a model of the subterrane;
• (d) modifying the model of the subterrane based on a comparison to current vertical seismic profile data, to create a modified model of the subterrane which now becomes the model of the subterrane;
• (e) carrying out steps (c) and (d) until the differences between the model seismic data and the vertical seismic profile data are as desired;
• (f) obtaining model production data from a reservoir model derived from the model of the subterrane, and if the differences between the reservoir model data and actual production data are not as desired, modifying the model of the subterrane to create an updated model of the subterrane which now becomes the model of the subterrane, and returning to step (c);
• (g) generating seismic model data for a certain time t from the reservoir model;
• and
• (h) comparing the seismic model data with actual seismic data for the certain time t, and if the differences are not as desired either modify the reservoir model and return to step (f) or modify the model of the subterrane and return to step (c).

An apparatus for monitoring a reservoir in the subterrane, the apparatus comprising a computer and comprising programming code which when executed causes the computer to:

• (a) model the reservoir to determine if vertical seismic profiling of the reservoir over time, will provide a suitable time variant response;
• (b) generate model seismic data from a model of the subterrane;
• (c) modify the model of the subterrane based on a comparison to current vertical seismic profile data, to create a modified model of the subterrane which now becomes the model of the subterrane;
• (d) carry out steps (c) and (d) until the differences between the model seismic data and the vertical seismic profile data are as desired;
• (e) obtaining model production data from a reservoir model derived from the model of the subterrane, and if the differences between the reservoir model data and actual production data are not as desired, modifying the model of the subterrane to create an updated model of the subterrane which now becomes the model of the subterrane, and returning to step (c);
• (f) generate seismic model data for a certain time t from the reservoir model;
• and
• (g) compare the seismic model data with actual seismic data for the certain time t, and if the differences are not as desired either modify the reservoir model and return to step (f) or modify the model of the subterrane and return to step (c).

Computer readable media embodying programming code for monitoring a reservoir in the subterrane, the programming code which when executed causes the computer to:

• (a) model the reservoir to determine if vertical seismic profiling of the reservoir over time, will provide a suitable time variant response;
• (b) generate model seismic data from a model of the subterrane;
• (c) modify the model of the subterrane based on a comparison to current vertical seismic profile data, to create a modified model of the subterrane which now becomes the model of the subterrane;
• (d) carry out steps (c) and (d) until the differences between the model seismic data and the vertical seismic profile data are as desired;
• (e) obtaining model production data from a reservoir model derived from the model of the subterrane, and if the differences between the reservoir model data and actual production data are not as desired, modifying the model of the subterrane to create an updated model of the subterrane which now becomes the model of the subterrane, and returning to step (c);
• (f) generate seismic model data for a certain time t from the reservoir model;
• and
• (g) compare the seismic model data with actual seismic data for the certain time t, and if the differences are not as desired either modify the reservoir model and return to step (f) or modify the model of the subterrane and return to step (c).

A data signal embodying programming code for monitoring a reservoir in the subterrane, the programming code which when executed causes the computer to:

• (a) model the reservoir to determine if vertical seismic profiling of the reservoir over time, will provide a suitable time variant response;
• (b) generate model seismic data from a model of the subterrane;
• (c) modify the model of the subterrane based on a comparison to current vertical seismic profile data, to create a modified model of the subterrane which now becomes the model of the subterrane;
• (d) carry out steps (c) and (d) until the differences between the model seismic data and the vertical seismic profile data are as desired;
• (e) obtaining model production data from a reservoir model derived from the model of the subterrane, and if the differences between the reservoir model data and actual production data are not as desired, modifying the model of the subterrane to create an updated model of the subterrane which now becomes the model of the subterrane, and returning to step (c);
• (f) generate seismic model data for a certain time t from the reservoir model;
• and
• (g) compare the seismic model data with actual seismic data for the certain time t, and if the differences are not as desired either modify the reservoir model and return to step (f) or modify the model of the subterrane and return to step (c).