1. 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

2. Microseismic / Passive Seismic Monitoring Applications
Reservoir monitoring
Microfractures
Fluid containment
Tomography
Landslide prediction
Structural integrity monitoring
Mine Stability
Nuclear blast detection
Military / Border patrol

3. 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.

4. 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

5. Remote, wireless microseismic recording system
Remote data collection centre
GPS
3-C geophone
time stamp
3-C A/D converter
Microcontroller
WLAN Radio
digital waveform
data
packets

6. Passive Seismic Monitoring Network
Remote Station 1
Remote Station 2
Data Collection Centre
Remote Station 3
Remote Station 4
Remote Station 5

7. System components Power controller A/D converter Microcontroller
Solar panel
Time source (GPS)
WLAN Radio
Directional antenna
Battery

8. 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

12. 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)

13. 3-C Microvibrator Cube
3 cm Y X Z

14. Pancake vibrators

16. 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