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Fracture detection and imaging through relative seismic velocity changes using distributed acoustic sensing and ambient seismic noise

Journal Article · · The Leading Edge
 [1];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [2];  [3];  [4];  [5]
  1. Univ. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (United States); Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States); US Geological Survey, Denver, CO (United States). Crustal Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center
  2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
  3. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
  4. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
  5. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
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Fracture systems are important pathways for fluid and solute transport and exert a critical influence on the hydraulic properties of aquifers and reservoirs. Therefore, detailed knowledge of fracture locations, connections, and evolution is crucial for both groundwater and energy applications (e.g., enhanced geothermal, oil and gas recovery, carbon sequestration, and wastewater injection). The innovative combination of distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and ambient seismic noise techniques has the potential to detect and characterize fracture systems at high-spatial and temporal resolution without an active source. To test this, we conducted a multiphysics field experiment at Blue Canyon Dome, New Mexico. A novel energetic material developed by Sandia National Laboratories was used to generate fractures in two separate stimulations. Ambient noise was recorded before and after each stimulation using fiber-optic cables installed in the outer annulus of four boreholes surrounding the stimulation hole at a radius of 1.2 m. The Python package MSNoise was used to compute crosscorrelations and measure changes in velocity between each time period relative to the initial (prestimulation) time period. The majority of channel pairs showed a velocity reduction (average –3% relative velocity change) following both stimulations. We used a 3D Bayesian tomography approach to resolve spatial variations by utilizing differences between channel pairs. Results showed that the greatest velocity reduction was concentrated near the center of the test area and suggested the presence of a near-vertical fracture, oriented northeast to southwest for depths >19 m below ground surface and extending slightly to the southwest corner. Finally, these results were generally consistent with crosshole seismic tomography time-lapse images. DAS technology provides valuable sensing capability and — when used with a passive seismic approach — shows great promise for monitoring and characterization of fractured-rock systems.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-05CH11231; NA0003525
OSTI ID:
1476577
Journal Information:
The Leading Edge, Journal Name: The Leading Edge Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 36; ISSN 1070-485X
Publisher:
Society of Exploration Geophysicists, SEGCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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58 GEOSCIENCES
crosscorrelation
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