A remote, wireless microseismic monitoring system Henry C. Bland, Robert R. Stewart, Malcolm B. Bertram, Eric V. Gallant, and Jeff Thurston Funded by Coordinated University Research for Synergy & Effectiveness, Alberta Energy Research Institute, Government of Alberta Alberta Community Development
Microseismic / Passive Seismic Monitoring Applications Reservoir monitoring Microfractures Fluid containment Tomography Landslide prediction Structural integrity monitoring Mine Stability Nuclear blast detection Military / Border patrol
Passive seismic for reservoir monitoring Seismic emanations come from fracturing rock, reservoir pressurization changes or fluid-induced microfracturing (Maxwell et al. 2003) Microseismic hypocentres are mapped in 4-D Reservoir changes may be inferred from maps Regional seismic monitoring may used to resolve public complaints of oilfield-induced seismicity.
Landslide detection / prediction Increased microseismic activity may be a predictor for large-scale slides Hypocentre concentrations may indicate new fractures or fault slip 30 million cubic meters of rock fell at Randa Switzerland in 1991. Randa, Switzerland
Remote, wireless microseismic recording system Remote data collection centre GPS 3-C geophone time stamp 3-C A/D converter Microcontroller WLAN Radio 010010101110101 digital waveform data packets
Passive Seismic Monitoring Network Remote Station 1 Remote Station 2 Data Collection Centre Remote Station 3 Remote Station 4 Remote Station 5
System components Power controller A/D converter Microcontroller Solar panel Time source (GPS) WLAN Radio Directional antenna Battery
System Construction GPS Antenna Solar panel (active side on back) Geophones Electronics Box Post secured with guy wire, turnbuckle, bolt hanger, rock bolt Battery Box Base mount
3-C Microvibrator Arrow Handle contains 2 AA batteries and drive electronics Spike 3-C vibrator Cable connected to output of blaster (used to start vibration sequence)
3-C Microvibrator Cube 3 cm Y X Z
Pancake vibrators
Summary 3-C recording is frequently used for passive seismic recording as it help provide directional information for received microseismic events Current technology for remote monitoring based requires a large power infrastructure, particularly for northern latitudes We will continue our efforts to reduce power consumption, complexity, size and cost as we strive to make a portable wireless geophone 3-C Microvibrator technology may prove useful for automated testing of 3-C geophones