Method and apparatus for seismically surveying an earth formation in relation to a borehole

A process for performing a seismic survey of an earth formation in relation to a borehole, comprising:

• rigidly solidly coupling at least one combined strain seismic sensor and borehole structure having strain seismic sensor arranged therein or thereon to said borehole;
• providing a seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole;
• receiving a borehole structure strain response signal containing information about said seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole;
• and
• providing seismic survey information about said earth formation in relation to said borehole depending on said information contained in said combined borehole structure strain response signal.

A process for performing a seismic survey of an earth formation in relation to a borehole, comprising:

• rigidly solidly coupling at least one combined optical strain seismic sensor and bore hole structure having an optical fiber arranged therein or thereon to said borehole;
• providing an optical signal through said optical fiber;
• providing a seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole;
• receiving a combined optical seismic sensor and borehole structure signal containing information about said seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole;
• and
• providing seismic survey information about said earth formation in relation to said borehole depending on said information contained in said combined optical seismic sensor and borehole structure signal.

A strain seismic survey system for performing a seismic survey of an earth formation in relation to a borehole, comprising:

• a light source, detection measurement and signal processor device, for providing an optical signal, and responsive to a combined optical strain seismic sensor and borehole structure signal, for further providing seismic survey information about said earth formation in relation to said borehole depending on said information contained in said combined optical strain seismic sensor and borehole structure signal;
• and
• a combined strain seismic sensor and borehole structure arranged in said borehole, responsive to said optical signal, and further responsive to a strain response of said borehole structure to a seismic disturbance, for providing said combined optical strain seismic sensor and borehole structure signal containing information about said seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole,
• wherein said combined optical strain seismic sensor and borehole structure includes either a coiled tubing or a production tube having an optical fiber wrapped therein or thereabout and being arranged in said borehole, and
• wherein said optical fiber is wrapped in either a hoop strain fiber loop perpendicular to an axis of said borehole, an axial strain fiber loop parallel to an axis of said borehole, or a hoop strain fiber loop oblique to an axis of said borehole.

A strain seismic survey system for performing a seismic survey of an earth formation in relation to a borehole, comprising:

• a light source, detection measurement and signal processor device, for providing an optical signal, and responsive to a combined optical strain seismic sensor and borehole structure signal, for further providing seismic survey information about said earth formation in relation to said borehole depending on said information contained in said combined optical strain seismic sensor and borehole structure signal;
• and
• a combined strain seismic sensor and borehole structure arranged in said borehole, responsive to said optical signal, and further responsive to a strain response of said borehole structure to a seismic disturbance, for providing said combined optical strain seismic sensor and borehole structure signal containing information about said seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole,
• wherein said combined optical strain seismic sensor and borehole structure includes a well casing having an optical fiber wrapped therein or thereabout and being arranged in said borehole, and
• wherein said optical fiber is wrapped in either a hoop strain fiber loop perpendicular to an axis of said borehole, an axial strain fiber loop parallel to an axis of said borehole, or a hoop strain fiber loop oblique to an axis of said borehole.

A process for performing a seismic survey of an earth formation in relation to a borehole, comprising said steps of:

• arranging a flexible carrier film having a strain seismic sensor arranged therein or thereon and being disposed in relation to a packer/bladder in said borehole,
• wherein said arrangement includes either positioning said strain seismic sensor in a hoop direction perpendicular to an axis of said borehole, positioning said strain seismic sensor in an axial direction parallel to an axis of said borehole, or positioning said strain seismic sensor in a hoop direction oblique to an axis of said borehole;
• providing a seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole;
• receiving a borehole structure strain response signal containing information about said seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole;
• and
• providing seismic survey information about said earth formation in relation to said borehole depending on said information contained in said combined borehole structure strain response signal.

A process for performing a seismic survey of an earth formation in relation to a borehole, comprising said steps of:

• arranging a flexible carrier film having an optical fiber arranged therein or thereon and being disposed in relation to a packer/bladder in said borehole, wherein said arrangement includes either wrapping said optical fiber in a hoop strain fiber loop perpendicular to an axis of said borehole, wrapping said optical fiber in an axial strain fiber loop parallel to an axis of said borehole, or wrapping said optical fiber in a hoop strain fiber loop oblique to an axis of said borehole;
• providing an optical signal through said optical fiber;
• providing a seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole;
• receiving a combined optical seismic sensor and borehole structure signal containing information about said seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole;
• and
• providing seismic survey information about said earth formation in relation to said borehole depending on said information contained in said combined optical seismic sensor and borehole structure signal.

A process for performing a seismic survey of an earth formation in relation to a borehole, comprising said steps of:

• arranging a production tube having an optical fiber wrapped therein or thereabout in said borehole, wherein said arrangement includes either wrapping said optical fiber in a hoop strain fiber loop perpendicular to an axis of said borehole, wrapping said optical fiber in an axial strain fiber loop parallel to an axis of said borehole, or wrapping said optical fiber in a hoop strain fiber loop oblique to an axis of said borehole;
• providing an optical signal through said optical fiber;
• providing a seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole;
• receiving a combined optical seismic sensor and borehole structure signal containing information about said seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole;
• and
• providing seismic survey information about said earth formation in relation to said borehole depending on said information contained in said combined optical seismic sensor and borehole structure signal.

A process for performing a seismic survey of an earth formation in relation to a borehole, comprising said steps of:

• arranging a well casing having an optical fiber arranged therein or thereon and being disposed in said borehole, wherein said arrangement includes either wrapping said optical fiber in a hoop strain fiber loop perpendicular to an axis of said borehole, wrapping said optical fiber in an axial strain fiber loop parallel to an axis of said borehole, or wrapping said optical fiber in a hoop strain fiber loop oblique to an axis of said borehole;
• providing an optical signal through said optical fiber;
• providing a seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole;
• receiving a combined optical seismic sensor and borehole structure signal containing information about said seismic disturbance in relation to said borehole;
• and
• providing seismic survey information about said earth formation in relation to said borehole depending on said information contained in said combined optical seismic sensor and borehole structure signal.

A method for performing a seismic survey of an earth formation in relation to a borehole, comprising:

• providing at least one sensor connected to a borehole structure;
• rigidly solidly coupling the borehole structure to the borehole;
• providing a seismic disturbance in relation to the borehole;
• and
• receiving a signal from the sensor indicative of the structure of the earth formation.