Systems and methods for performing real time seismic surveys

摘要

This invention provides near real-time systems and methods for acquiring seismic data in reservoirs at very high resolution such that advancing fluid fronts can be mapped substantially in real time. In one system, one or more autonomous devices are deployed in the well to detect seismic data. Each device includes at least one seismic receiver. An acoustic energy source, preferably at the surface, induces acoustic waves into the subsurface formations. The autonomous devices move in the well and detect seismic waves at selected discrete locations in the well. The seismic data is stored in on-board memory. After the data acquisition, the devices dock at a receiver stations in the well. The receiver stations download the stored data from the memory and transmit such data to a surface control unit via a two-way data link between the receiver and the surface control unit. The surface computer system also sends command signals to the downhole receiver to control the operation of the individual devices. The receiver stations can be programmed to control the operation of the devices. The devices may include resident programs to perform the survey operations at specified intervals. The data gathered by the devices is used to update existing seismic maps in determining the boundary conditions of the fluid fronts. For subsea wells, autonomous devices may also be deployed at sea bottom to travel along predefined paths to collect seismic data. A subsea control station or receiver provides power and data transmission function for the subsea devices. The seismic data from the well and the sea bottom are then used to update the 3D maps to obtain 4D maps and to model the reservoirs.