Possible Mechanisms and Case Studies for Enhancement of Oil Recovery and Production Using In-Situ Seismic Stimulation

摘要

Beginning in the early 1980's and continuing for several decades, interest in elastic wave stimulation focused primarily on acoustic and to a lesser degree on surface vibroseis1,2,3,4. In the late 1990's a third type of elastic wave stimulation, in-situ seismic stimulation was developed by Applied Seismic Research Corporation5,6,7 (ASR). The ASR Hydro-Imapct tool creates high-energy elastic waves identical to earthquakes but at reservoir datum (in- situ) and lower magnitudes. Theoretical and experimental research performed by many independent laboratories has supported these claims. Extensive field studies using seismic stimulation have proven to increase oil production and oil recovery (EOR) an average of 20-40 percent in wells at distances as far as 1 mile from the tool. Some wells have shown truly remarkable increases exceeding 500 percent. In September of 2007 the Texas Railroad Commission certified seismic stimulation as the first new EOR process in several decades. EOR certification gives Texas operators using seismic stimulation a 50 percent reduction in severance tax on total production for 10 years.