Why use time-lapse seismic monitoring?
Although global reserves figures continue to rise, so too does consumption and population. At some stage, a fundamental resource limit will be reached, and there will be a supply and demand discontinuity. Since hydrocarbon recovery from existing reservoirs is generally low, the most significant impact on supply is likely to be made by increased oil recovery methods.
In reservoirs, information between wells is scarce, and seismic monitoring techniques have tremendous potential to provide such lateral data provided there is a clear link between seismic observables and reservoir variables such as fluids, pressure or temperature.
Figures & Tables
“This book, prepared for use with the first SEG / EAGE Distinguished Instructor Short Course, discusses Â"time-lapse seismicÂ" and enables geoscientists to assess the value and risk of this new technology. It covers the rationale and driving forces behind time-lapse seismic by examining the limitations of existing methods of tracking fluid flow between wells. It examines those reservoir properties that change with time and what can be observed on seismic data over elapsed time. The repeatability of seismic data and the use of Â"legacyÂ" data sets are discussed, along with a review of the seismic data acquisition schemes and data processing requirements for time-lapse analysis. The rock-physics foundation for data analysis and interpretation options also are described. A selection of industry case histories illustrates many of these points. The reader will gain an understanding of key success factors, key calibration requirements, and key uncertainties of time-lapse seismic in reservoir management.”