MEMS Seismic Receiver Array with Concentrators for Borehole Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic exploration methods face challenges in acquiring high-resolution seismic data from subterranean geological formations due to limitations in the number and spatial distribution of seismic receivers, leading to noise interference and increased deployment costs.
Innovation Solution
A scalable borehole acquisition system utilizing microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based seismic receivers deployed on cable sections with data concentrators, enabling a high-speed telemetry network for efficient data acquisition and processing, allowing for a dense spatial sampling and customized receiver distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of seismic receivers is increased to improve data quality and reduce noise, then measurement precision is improved, but deployment cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the large number of seismic receivers into multiple groups, with each group managed by a dedicated concentrator. This segmentation allows the receivers to be deployed in an organized manner while maintaining high spatial density, thus improving seismic data quality without proportionally increasing deployment complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Concentrators are introduced as intermediary devices between the seismic receivers and the surface system. Each concentrator manages a group of receivers, acquiring and processing their data before transmission. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system complexity by providing a hierarchical structure that reduces the burden on individual deployment operations.
2Measurement precision
If seismic receivers are densely distributed to improve spatial sampling, then measurement precision is improved, but deployment cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple seismic receivers are merged into groups that share a common concentrator. This merging approach allows for dense spatial distribution of receivers while reducing the number of independent deployment units needed, thereby lowering overall deployment costs.
Solution Approach 2:
Concentrators serve multiple functions: they acquire data from multiple receivers, process the data, and manage communication with the surface system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate deployment infrastructure for each receiver, thus reducing deployment costs while maintaining high spatial sampling density.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional seismic acquisition systems are used, then deployment cost is controlled, but noise interference increases and data quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces traditional mechanical deployment methods with a more sophisticated electronic and optical system. Concentrators use optical communication for data transmission, and the hierarchical structure enables advanced signal processing that reduces noise interference, improving data quality without proportionally increasing deployment costs.
4Measurement precision
If more seismic receivers are deployed to improve subsurface imaging, then measurement precision is improved, but data communication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data communication system is segmented into hierarchical levels: receivers communicate with their local concentrator, and concentrators communicate with the surface system. This segmentation reduces communication complexity by localizing data processing and reducing the number of direct communication channels needed between individual receivers and the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
Concentrators act as intermediaries in the data communication chain, collecting data from multiple receivers and preprocessing it before transmission to the surface. This intermediary function reduces the total data volume that needs to be transmitted over long distances and simplifies the communication protocol requirements, thereby reducing data communication complexity while maintaining high subsurface imaging quality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enhances data quality by reducing noise and decreasing deployment costs through dense spatial sampling and efficient data communication, providing high-resolution seismic images and improved subsurface imaging capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The sources generate seismic waves, which propagate into the geological formations creating pressure changes and vibrations along their way
Implementation Method 2
Changes in elastic properties of the geological formation scatter the seismic waves, changing their direction of propagation and other properties
Implementation Method 3
A given concentrator is adapted to acquire data from an associated group of seismic receivers and introduce the data to the telemetry network at a node of the telemetry network
Data Source
AI summary
A method that is usable with a well includes deploying microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based seismic receivers in the well and using the MEMS-based receivers to acquire data indicative of seismic energy.