Distributed vibration sensing for seismic acquisition

Abstract

Distributed vibration sensing (DVS), also known as distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), is a relatively new method for recording seismic data using a standard fiber-optic cable as the sensor. Although the dynamic range and noise floor of DVS systems are currently below those of industry-standard seismic sensors, usable seismic data can be obtained in downhole configurations, as this is the source and receiver configuration at which DVS is most sensitive. The use of DVS for more conventional land and marine seismic acquisition is still some way off. However, the potential benefits of simple, lightweight fiber-optic cables, with fine spatial sampling and the ability to instrument all offsets of any spread, suggest it is worth pursuing these new applications. Permanent reservoir monitoring, particularly for marine environments, represents another application where the simplicity of fiber-optic sensors is attractive. Advances in laser interrogation techniques and signal processing continue to improve the quality of DVS data, increasing its potential applications across the seismic industry.

Advances in Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing for Monitoring Marine Infrastructure, Measuring the Deep Ocean, and Quantifying the Risks Posed by Seafloor Hazards

“…Although distributed vibration measurements are found to respond well to small, dynamic strains even in loose-tube packages (Mullens et al, 2010;Strong et al, 2009), it should be noted that the distributed vibration measurement is in fact a measure of dynamic axial strain (Dean et al, 2015(Dean et al, , 2016. As a result, the measurement is insensitive (Papp et al, 2016) to compressional acoustic waves arriving at right angles from the fiber axis.…”

A field experiment of walkaway distributed acoustic sensing vertical seismic profile in a deep and deviated onshore well in Japan using a fibre optic cable deployed inside coiled tubing

“…This time, Schlumberger's ‘heterodyne Distributed Vibration Sensing’ system (Dean et al . ) was mobilized. The parameters related to DAS processing, that is, time sampling rate, spatial sapling rate and GL, in Table are the field parameters for real‐time onsite quality control.…”

“…As field data examples demonstrated here and Dean et al . (), the selection of GL or GLs appropriate for the target of surveys improves data quality a lot. Optimum GL varies survey by survey; it is affected by signal frequency contents, subsurface velocity, the type and amount of noise.…”

Distributed Acoustic Sensing for Near Surface Imaging from Submarine Telecommunication Cable: Case Study in the Trondheim Fjord

“…Daley et al (2013) demonstrated a field test of DAS seismic acquisition of borehole seismic data and land surface seismic data. Additionally, Dean et al (2016) discussed its applications to marine seismic acquisition. On the other hand, Lumens (2014) studied various applications of DAS in oil and gas wells.…”