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Velocity modeling and inversion techniques for locating microseismic events in unconventional reservoirs

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Abstract

A velocity model is an important factor influencing microseismic event locations. We review the velocity modeling and inversion techniques for locating microseismic events in exploration for unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. We first describe the geological and geophysical characteristics of reservoir formations related to hydraulic fracturing in heterogeneity, anisotropy, and variability, then discuss the influences of velocity estimation, anisotropy model, and their time-lapse changes on the accuracy in determining microseismic event locations, and then survey some typical methods for building velocity models in locating event locations. We conclude that the three tangled physical attributes of reservoirs make microseismic monitoring very challenging. The uncertainties in velocity model and ignoring its anisotropies and its variations in hydraulic fracturing can cause systematic mislocations of microseismic events which are unacceptable in microseismic monitoring. So, we propose some potential ways for building accurate velocity models.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Marine Geosciences, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China

    Jianzhong Zhang, Han Liu, Zhihui Zou & Zhonglai Huang

  2. Key Laboratory of Submarine Geosciences and Prospecting Techniques, Ministry of Education, Qingdao, 266100, China

    Jianzhong Zhang, Han Liu, Zhihui Zou & Zhonglai Huang

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  1. Jianzhong Zhang
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  2. Han Liu
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  3. Zhihui Zou
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  4. Zhonglai Huang
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Correspondence to Jianzhong Zhang.

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Zhang, J., Liu, H., Zou, Z. et al. Velocity modeling and inversion techniques for locating microseismic events in unconventional reservoirs. J. Earth Sci. 26, 495–501 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-015-0565-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12583-015-0565-4

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