Radial Anti-Azimuthal Aliasing Microseismic Sensor Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surface-based microseismic mapping techniques, such as radial and patch arrays, face limitations in measurement resolution due to inadequate azimuthal coverage and require a large number of sensors to achieve complete focal sphere coverage, which is insufficient for modern hydrocarbon recovery efforts like horizontal drilling.
Innovation Solution
A microseismic sensor array is arranged with radial arms, sensor patches, and concentric ovals and rings around the wellbore, leveraging azimuthal symmetry to enhance coverage and reduce spatial aliasing, providing improved resolution and accuracy in microseismic analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If radial arrays are used for microseismic monitoring, then the array configuration is simple and easy to deploy, but the azimuthal coverage is limited and measurement resolution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor array is segmented into multiple functional components: radial arms extending from the wellbore, sensor patches distributed in the field, and concentric ovals centered on the lateral component. This segmentation allows each component to contribute differently to coverage, with radial arms providing initial azimuthal spread, patches filling gaps in coverage, and ovals ensuring complete focal sphere coverage without requiring excessive sensors
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional two-dimensional surface arrays to a three-dimensional configuration by combining radial arms (extending outward), sensor patches (distributed in the field), and concentric ovals (centered on the lateral). This multi-dimensional arrangement provides comprehensive coverage of the focal sphere while maintaining deployment feasibility
2Measurement precision
If patch arrays are used to increase signal-to-noise ratio, then measurement resolution improves, but complete focal sphere coverage requires a large number of patches increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple array configurations into a unified hybrid system that combines radial arms, sensor patches, and concentric ovals. This integration allows the system to achieve complete focal sphere coverage and high signal-to-noise ratio simultaneously without requiring a large number of patches, as the radial and oval components provide structural framework that reduces the patch density needed
Solution Approach 2:
Each sensor in the hybrid array serves multiple functions: sensors in radial arms provide azimuthal coverage and structural framework, sensors in patches enhance signal-to-noise ratio for specific regions, and sensors in ovals ensure complete focal sphere coverage. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of sensors needed compared to using patches alone
3Measurement precision
If more sensors are deployed to improve coverage, then measurement resolution and focal sphere coverage improve, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid array applies different sensor densities and configurations to different spatial regions: radial arms provide concentrated coverage near the wellbore where seismic events are most intense, sensor patches are strategically placed in regions requiring enhanced signal-to-noise ratio, and concentric ovals provide systematic coverage at various distances. This localized optimization achieves complete focal sphere coverage with fewer total sensors than uniform distributions
Data Source
AI summary
A microseismic array includes a series of sensors that are arranged in combinations of various sensor formations that collectively provide an improved radial anti-azimuthal aliasing function for microseismic mapping a wellbore. The sensors may be organized into one or more formations that resemble arms that extend radially outward from a central region around the wellbore, patches distributed in a field around the wellbore, ovals that are centered around the wellbore and concentric rings within the sensor ovals.