Abstract
We present results from the first deployment of a fully automated multi-source seismic tomography system designed to monitor hydrofracture initiation and propagation in near-surface environments. We utilized this system to track an induced fracture utilized as part of an enhanced bioremediation in a tight clay-rich formation at a TCE contaminated site. Several hundred full tomographic datasets were acquired with a temporal resolution of 3-4 minutes; this fine sampling in time allowed us to successfully capture localized P-wave velocity reductions associated with fracture emplacement. In addition to velocity changes, alterations in amplitude were observed as well as diffracted events and secondary scattered arrivals. This unique dataset suggests that real-time active source imaging strategies has a potential role in mapping induced fractures both in the shallow subsurface and in deeper environments such as enhanced geothermal and shale gas deposits.
| Original language | English |
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| Title of host publication | Society of Exploration Geophysicists International Exposition and 81st Annual Meeting 2011, SEG 2011 |
| Publisher | Society of Exploration Geophysicists |
| Pages | 3727-3731 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781618391841 |
| State | Published - 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | Society of Exploration Geophysicists International Exposition and 81st Annual Meeting 2011, SEG 2011 - San Antonio, United States Duration: Sep 18 2011 → Sep 23 2011 |
Publication series
| Name | Society of Exploration Geophysicists International Exposition and 81st Annual Meeting 2011, SEG 2011 |
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Conference
| Conference | Society of Exploration Geophysicists International Exposition and 81st Annual Meeting 2011, SEG 2011 |
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| Country/Territory | United States |
| City | San Antonio |
| Period | 09/18/11 → 09/23/11 |
Funding
We would like to acknowledge the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) for providing primary support for this research. Secondary ML-CASSM development support was provided by the GEO-SEQ project for the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Office of Coal and Power Systems through the National Energy Technology Laboratory, of the U.S. Department of Energy, under contract No. DE-AC02-05CH11231. We would also like to thank Ray Solbau for assistance in piezoelectric source construction.