Low-SNR Microseismic Detection Using Direct P-Wave Arrival Polarization

2020 ◽  
Vol 110 (6) ◽  
pp. 3115-3129
Author(s):  
Yusuke Mukuhira ◽  
Oleg V. Poliannikov ◽  
Michael C. Fehler ◽  
Hirokazu Moriya
Keyword(s):  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Source Region ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Matrix Analysis ◽  
Characteristic Functions ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Small Magnitude ◽  
Spectral Matrix ◽  
Area Of Interest ◽  
Wave Arrival

ABSTRACT Detection and analysis of small magnitude events is valuable for better characterization and understanding of reservoirs in addition to developing strategies for mitigating induced seismicity. Three-component (3C) receivers, which are now widely used, are commonly deployed in boreholes to provide continuous seismic data amenable to novel and powerful analysis. Using multicomponent continuous records of ground motion, we utilize two principal features of the direct P-wave arrival: (1) linearity and (2) polarization in the direction along the ray path to the source region to detect small magnitude events undetectable by conventional methods. We evaluate the linearity of polarization and direction of arrival in the time and frequency domains by introducing the spectral matrix analysis method and combine them into a scalar characteristic function that is thresholded for event detection purposes. We boost the signal-to-noise ratio by stacking characteristic functions obtained at different 3C receivers along an empirical moveout of a master event known to have occurred in an area of interest. This allows us to detect smaller events and spatially tie them to a relatively small area around the large event. We apply our method to field data recorded at the Groningen gas field in the Netherlands. Our method detects all catalog events as well as several previously undetected events.

Precise source location of AE doublets by spectral matrix analysis of triaxial hodogram

Geophysics ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 36-45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirokazu Moriya ◽  
Koji Nagano ◽  
Hiroaki Niitsuma
Keyword(s):  
Field Experiments ◽  
Arrival Time ◽  
Acoustic Emissions ◽  
Source Location ◽  
Geothermal Field ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Matrix Analysis ◽  
Spectral Matrix ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Subsurface Fractures

We have developed a precise relative source location technique using acoustic emission doublets (AE doublets) in the triaxial hodogram method to evaluate the direction and distance of subsurface extension cracks. An AE doublet is a pair of acoustic emissions with similar waveforms and adjacent locations on the same crack but which occur at different times. The relative source location is estimated by an analysis in the frequency domain. The relative distance between two AE sources is determined from the difference of P-S arrival time delays by cross‐spectrum analysis. The relative direction is derived using a spectral matrix from the difference in P‐wave polarization directions. We also propose a method to optimize the estimated relative location by using a group of AE doublets. The accuracy of the estimated source location was confirmed by performing field experiments. The relative locations of artificial wave sources about 150 m from a triaxial detector can be estimated with distance errors of less than 1 m, and direction errors of less than 3.8 degrees in both azimuth and inclination. Results of the application of this analysis on AE doublets in a geothermal field demonstrate its ability to evaluate deeper subsurface fractures.

Precise detection of a P‐wave in low S/N signal by using time‐frequency representations of a triaxial hodogram

Geophysics ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 61 (5) ◽  
pp. 1453-1466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirokazu Moriya ◽  
Hiroaki Niitsuma
Keyword(s):  
Signal Processing ◽  
Arrival Time ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Signal Processing Technique ◽  
Spectral Matrix ◽  
Arrival Times ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Microseismic Data ◽  
Test Of Hypotheses ◽  
Wave Arrival

We have developed a signal processing technique for three‐component microseismic data that allows the precise determination of P‐wave arrival times. The method is based on a time‐frequency representation of the signal that allows the evaluation of the 3-D particle motion from seismic waves in both time and frequency domains. A spectral matrix is constructed using the time‐frequency distributions. A crosscorrelation coefficient for the three‐component signal is derived through eigenvalue analysis of the spectral matrix. The P‐wave arrival time is determined through a statistical test of hypotheses using the crosscorrelation coefficient. This signal processing method is evaluated using a synthetic signal and it is compared to the local stationary autoregressive method for determining P‐wave arrival times. We also show that the proposed method is capable of determining the arrival time of a synthetic P‐wave to within 1 ms (five points in the discrete time series) in the presence of a signal‐to‐noise ratio of −5dB. The method can detect the arrival time of different frequency components of the P‐wave, which is a possibility for the evaluation of velocity dispersion of the seismic wave. We demonstrate the feasibility of the method further by applying it to microseismic data from a geothermal field.

Analysis of conventional and converted mode reflections at Putah sink, California using three‐component data

Geophysics ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 55 (6) ◽  
pp. 646-659 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Frasier ◽  
D. Winterstein
Keyword(s):  
Time Window ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Low Noise ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Bright Spot ◽  
High Signal ◽  
Converted Wave ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Seismic Line ◽  
S Waves

In 1980 Chevron recorded a three‐component seismic line using vertical (V) and transverse (T) motion vibrators over the Putah sink gas field near Davis, California. The purpose was to record the total vector motion of the various reflection types excited by the two sources, with emphasis on converted P‐S reflections. Analysis of the conventional reflection data agreed with results from the Conoco Shear Wave Group Shoot of 1977–1978. For example, the P‐P wave section had gas‐sand bright spots which were absent in the S‐S wave section. Shot profiles from the V vibrators showed strong P‐S converted wave events on the horizontal radial component (R) as expected. To our surprise, shot records from the T vibrators showed S‐P converted wave events on the V component, with low amplitudes but high signal‐to‐noise (S/N) ratios. These S‐P events were likely products of split S‐waves generated in anisotropic subsurface media. Components of these downgoing waves in the plane of incidence were converted to P‐waves on reflection and arrived at receivers in a low‐noise time window ahead of the S‐S waves. The two types of converted waves (P‐S and S‐P) were first stacked by common midpoint (CMP). The unexpected S‐P section was lower in true amplitude but much higher in S/N ratio than the P‐S section. The Winters gas‐sand bright spot was missing on the converted wave sections, mimicking the S‐S reflectivity as expected. CRP gathers were formed by rebinning data by a simple ray‐tracing formula based on the asymmetry of raypaths. CRP stacking improved P‐S and S‐P event resolution relative to CMP stacking and laterally aligned structural features with their counterparts on P and S sections. Thus, the unexpected S‐P data provided us with an extra check for our converted wave data processing.

Framework for a Ground-Motion Model for Induced Seismic Hazard and Risk Analysis in the Groningen Gas Field, The Netherlands

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 481-498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian J. Bommer ◽  
Peter J. Stafford ◽  
Benjamin Edwards ◽  
Bernard Dost ◽  
Ewoud van Dedem ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seismic Hazard ◽  
Ground Motion ◽  
Quantitative Estimation ◽  
Epistemic Uncertainty ◽  
Induced Earthquakes ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Small Magnitude ◽  
Ground Motion Model ◽  
Hazard And Risk ◽  
Groningen Gas Field

The potential for building damage and personal injury due to induced earthquakes in the Groningen gas field is being modeled in order to inform risk management decisions. To facilitate the quantitative estimation of the induced seismic hazard and risk, a ground motion prediction model has been developed for response spectral accelerations and duration due to these earthquakes that originate within the reservoir at 3 km depth. The model is consistent with the motions recorded from small-magnitude events and captures the epistemic uncertainty associated with extrapolation to larger magnitudes. In order to reflect the conditions in the field, the model first predicts accelerations at a rock horizon some 800 m below the surface and then convolves these motions with frequency-dependent nonlinear amplification factors assigned to zones across the study area. The variability of the ground motions is modeled in all of its constituent parts at the rock and surface levels.

Kirchhoff elastic wave migration for the case of noncoincident source and receiver

Geophysics ◽  
1984 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 1223-1238 ◽  
Author(s):  
John T. Kuo ◽  
Ting‐fan Dai
Keyword(s):  
Elastic Wave ◽  
Seismic Data ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Horizontal Layer ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Seismic Section ◽  
S Waves ◽  
Surface Data ◽  
Marine Seismic ◽  
Wave Migration

In taking into account both compressional (P) and shear (S) waves, more geologic information can likely be extracted from the seismic data. The presence of shear and converted shear waves in both land and marine seismic data recordings calls for the development of elastic wave‐migration methods. The migration method presently developed consists of simultaneous migration of P- and S-waves for offset seismic data based on the Kirchhoff‐Helmholtz type integrals for elastic waves. A new principle of simultaneously migrating both P- and S-waves is introduced. The present method, named the Kirchhoff elastic wave migration, has been tested using the 2-D synthetic surface data calculated from several elastic models of a dipping layer (including a horizontal layer), a composite dipping and horizontal layer, and two layers over a half‐space. The results of these tests not only assure the feasibility of this migration scheme, but also demonstrate that enhanced images in the migrated sections are well formed. Moreover, the signal‐to‐noise ratio increases in the migrated seismic section by this elastic wave migration, as compared with that using the Kirchhoff acoustic (P-) wave migration alone. This migration scheme has about the same order of sensitivity of migration velocity variations, if [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] vary concordantly, to the recovery of the reflector as that of the Kirchhoff acoustic (P-) wave migration. In addition, the sensitivity of image quality to the perturbation of [Formula: see text] has also been tested by varying either [Formula: see text] or [Formula: see text]. For varying [Formula: see text] (with [Formula: see text] fixed), the migrated images are virtually unaffected on the [Formula: see text] depth section while they are affected on the [Formula: see text] depth section. For varying [Formula: see text] (with [Formula: see text] fixed), the migrated images are affected on both the [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] depth sections.

scholarly journals Isochronal maps at Mt. Etna volcano (Italy): a simple and reliable tool for investigating large-scale heterogeneities

1997 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Patanè ◽  
C. Centamore ◽  
S. La Delfa
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Volcanic Edifice ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Etna Volcano ◽  
Low Velocity ◽  
Seismic Stations ◽  
Arrival Times ◽  
Mt Etna ◽  
Wave Arrival ◽  
Feeding Systems

This paper analyses twelve etnean earthquakes which occurred at various depths and recorded at least by eleven stations. The seismic stations span a wide part of the volcanic edifice; therefore each set of direct P-wave arrival times at these stations can be considered appropriate for tracing isochronal curves. Using this simple methodology and the results obtained by previous studies the authors make a reconstruction of the geometry of the bodies inside the crust beneath Mt. Etna. These bodies are interpreted as a set of cooled magmatic masses, delimited by low-velocity discontinuities which can be considered, at present, the major feeding systems of the volcano.

Physical Properties and Structure of the Near Subsurface in the Săcel Area, Romania, from Shallow Seismic Measurements

2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 151-158
Author(s):  
Ionelia Panea
Keyword(s):  
Wave Velocity ◽  
Signal To Noise Ratio ◽  
Soil Surface ◽  
Geological Structure ◽  
P Wave ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Sedimentary Deposits ◽  
Shallow Seismic ◽  
P Wave Velocity ◽  
Good Signal

Results are presented for shallow seismic reflection measurements performed southwest of Săcel village in Romania for the purpose of obtaining information about the geological structure in the near subsurface. The P-wave and S-wave velocity distributions were also obtained below the soil surface. The measurements were performed along a nearly linear profile on the top of an elongated hill. Most of the shot gathers were characterized by a good signal-to-noise ratio. A depth-converted migrated section was obtained after the processing of shot gathers, on which an image of sedimentary deposits with various thicknesses, separated by shallow faults until a depth of about 80 m, were observed. The P-wave and S-wave velocity-depth models for two segments were of considerable interest for a geotechnical study proposed for the construction of a windmill park. The two- and three-layered P-wave velocity-depth models were comparable until depths of about 10 m after first-arrival traveltime inversions. The lateral variations in the subsurface geological structure and lithology reflected the variations in the P-wave velocity values from both models. The S-wave velocity-depth models for comparable depth intervals were similar to those from the P-wave velocity-depth models. Reliable S-wave velocity distributions were obtained after inversion of fundamental-mode and higher-mode surface waves.

Use of Bayesian Inference for Estimative of P-wave Arrival

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.A. Pinto ◽  
M.A.R. Ceia ◽  
F.V. Santos ◽  
R.M. Misságia ◽  
I.A.L. Neto
Keyword(s):  
Bayesian Inference ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Wave Arrival

Joint microseismic event location and anisotropic velocity inversion with the cross double-difference method using downhole microseismic data

Geophysics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. KS63-KS73
Author(s):  
Yangyang Ma ◽  
Congcong Yuan ◽  
Jie Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Arrival Time ◽  
Velocity Model ◽  
P Wave ◽  
Double Difference ◽  
S Wave ◽  
Arrival Times ◽  
Monitoring Well ◽  
The Cross ◽  
Microseismic Event ◽  
Wave Arrival

We have applied the cross double-difference (CDD) method to simultaneously determine the microseismic event locations and five Thomsen parameters in vertically layered transversely isotropic media using data from a single vertical monitoring well. Different from the double-difference (DD) method, the CDD method uses the cross-traveltime difference between the S-wave arrival time of one event and the P-wave arrival time of another event. The CDD method can improve the accuracy of the absolute locations and maintain the accuracy of the relative locations because it contains more absolute information than the DD method. We calculate the arrival times of the qP, qSV, and SH waves with a horizontal slowness shooting algorithm. The sensitivities of the arrival times with respect to the five Thomsen parameters are derived using the slowness components. The derivations are analytical, without any weak anisotropic approximation. The input data include the cross-differential traveltimes and absolute arrival times, providing better constraints on the anisotropic parameters and event locations. The synthetic example indicates that the method can produce better event locations and anisotropic velocity model. We apply this method to the field data set acquired from a single vertical monitoring well during a hydraulic fracturing process. We further validate the anisotropic velocity model and microseismic event locations by comparing the modeled and observed waveforms. The observed S-wave splitting also supports the inverted anisotropic results.

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