Seismic exploration helps scientist pinpoint where reservoirs of natural gas are located before drilling begins. Seismic testing, which uses sound waves to create 3-D images of the earth, is one of the biggest breakthroughs in natural gas exploration. Seismology refers to the study of how energy, in the form of seismic waves, moves through the earth's crust and interacts differently with various types of underground formations.
A vibe buggy, gently sends sound waves deep beneath the Earth's surface that bounce
back and are recorded by geophones.
The basic concept of seismology is quite simple:
Geophysicists are able to artificially create vibrations called seismic waves, which can be transmitted from a source, such as a vibe buggy. These waves travel through the earth and are reflected back to the surface. The earth's crust is composed of different layers, each with its own properties. Each underground layer reflects the waves in a different direction, depending on its makeup. This reflection allows for the use of seismology to identify the properties of underground geology.
What are geophones?
Geophones are sensitive pieces of equipment which are embedded in the ground throughout the surveyed area. They are used to detect the sound waves transmitted by the vibe buggies. The data received by these geophones is transmitted to a seismographic recording truck, which records the data for further interpretation by geophysicists and natural gas reservoir engineers. This information can then be analyzed to determine the locations of natural gas, as well as how to most effectively extract the natural gas.
The geophone records the sound waves received from deep inside the earth.
How does 3-D seismic imaging work?
3-D imaging utilizes seismic field data to generate three dimensional images of underground formations and geologic features. 3-D seismic allows geophysicists and geologists to study the composition of the earth's crust in a particular area.
This is extremely useful in the exploration of natural gas, as an actual image can be used to estimate the probability of formations existing in a particular area and the characteristics of that potential formation. This technology has raised the success rate of exploration efforts. In fact, the use of 3-D seismic has increased the likelihood of successful reservoir locations by up to 50%.
By providing data about the location of natural gas reservoirs, 3-D seismic imaging ensures more accurate placement of drillsites and results in more productive wells.
Geologist study seismic data of a natural gas play.