Installation of seismic survey devices in shallow, low-angle boreholes
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsMichael P. Curtis, Tacio Jose de Oliveira DaSilva
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The specification discloses a system and related method for installing seismic sensors in shallow, low-angle boreholes for obtaining conventional three-dimensional and four-dimensional seismic surveys. Installing seismic sensors in shallow, low-angle boreholes removes the sensing devices from surface anomalies that may affect seismic sensing performance. Moreover, installation of the seismic devices in this manner may be done in environmentally sensitive areas without undue environmental impact.
Claims56
A method of monitoring a hydrocarbon producing formation, the method comprising:
- installing a sensing device in a shallow, low-angle borehole;
- operating a source device;
- and
- sensing a state of the hydrocarbon producing formation with the sensing device.
A system for making seismic measurements of an earth formation comprising:
- a first pad site on the surface of the earth;
- a plurality of shallow, low-angle boreholes extending from the first pad site;
- seismic sensing devices within the at least one of the shallow, low-angle boreholes;
- a seismic source in operational relationship to the seismic sensors and the earth formation;
- and
- wherein the seismic source creates energy, and the seismic sensing devices sense portions of the energy that reflect from the earth formation.
A method of installing a sensing device for monitoring a hydrocarbon producing formation, the method comprising:
- drilling a shallow, low-angle borehole;
- installing in the shallow, low-angle borehole a sensing device;
- operating a source device;
- and
- sensing a state of the hydrocarbon producing formation with the sensing device.
A method of making a seismic survey of an underground earth formation, the method comprising:
- placing a seismic sensing device within substantially horizontal borehole proximate to a surface of the earth;
- inducing seismic signals propagating toward the underground earth formation;
- and
- recording seismic signals reflected from the underground earth formation with the seismic sensing devices.
A system for making a seismic survey of an underground earth formation, the system comprising:
- a first substantially horizontal borehole proximate to a surface of the earth;
- a first seismic sensing device within the substantially horizontal borehole;
- and
- a seismic source in operational relationship to the first seismic sensor and the underground earth formation.
A system for making a seismic survey of an underground earth formation, the system comprising:
- a plurality of substantially horizontal boreholes proximate to the surface of the earth;
- a plurality of seismic sensing devices disposed at least one each in the plurality of substantially horizontal boreholes;
- and
- a seismic source in operational relationship to the plurality of seismic sensors and the underground earth formation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.