Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

Seismic stimulation is a proposed enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technique which uses seismic energy to increase oil production. As part of an integrated research effort (theory, lab and field studies), LBNL has been measuring the seismic amplitude of various stimulation sources in various oil fields (Majer, et al., 2006, Roberts, et al., 2001, Daley et al., 1999). The amplitude of the seismic waves generated by a stimulation source is an important parameter for increased oil mobility in both theoretical models and laboratory core studies. The seismic amplitude, typically in units of seismic strain, can be measured in-situ by use of a borehole seismometer (geophone). Measuring the distribution of amplitudes within a reservoir could allow improved design of stimulation source deployment. In March, 2007, we provided in-field monitoring of two stimulation sources operating in Occidental (Oxy) Permian Ltd's South Wasson Clear Fork (SWCU) unit, located near Denver City, Tx. The stimulation source is a downhole fluid pulsation device developed by Applied Seismic Research Corp. (ASR). Our monitoring used a borehole wall-locking 3-component geophone operating in two nearby wells.