Subsurface Fluid Detection via Microseismic Resonance and Magnetometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracking groundwater or subsurface fluids are often inefficient and costly, involving lengthy drilling processes and significant guesswork, with geophysical methods like galvanic resistivity and magnetometric approaches having limitations in accuracy and resolution.
Innovation Solution
The use of microseismic resonance, gamma radiation, and magnetometric density technologies to detect subsurface fluids, involving signal stacking and filtering of low-frequency microseismic resonance signals, and combining these methods to enhance detection accuracy and reduce drilling costs by identifying fracture zones and fluid presence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If drilling is used to identify and track subsurface water, then subsurface fluid detection can be achieved, but the process becomes lengthy and expensive with much guesswork involved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical drilling process with a geophysical survey method using magnetometric detection. Instead of physically drilling to detect subsurface fluids, the system uses magnetic field measurements from surface locations to identify fracture zones and fluid presence, eliminating the time-consuming and expensive drilling exploration phase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary detection of subsurface fracture zones and fluid locations using magnetometric surveys before any drilling occurs. By identifying target locations through magnetic field anomalies caused by electric currents in subsurface water, the system prepares accurate drilling site selections in advance, preventing guesswork and reducing unnecessary drilling operations.
2Measurement precision
If drilling is used to identify and track subsurface water, then subsurface fluid detection can be achieved, but the cost becomes very high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive mechanical drilling operations with a cost-effective magnetometric survey system. The detection method uses portable sensors and computers to map subsurface fluid locations through magnetic field measurements, eliminating the high costs associated with drilling equipment, labor, and exploration guesswork.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows subsurface fluid detection to be performed independently of drilling operations. The magnetometric survey can identify fluid locations and characteristics without requiring any drilling infrastructure, enabling cost-effective preliminary assessment and reducing dependency on expensive drilling-based detection methods.
3Productivity
If geophysical methods like galvanic resistivity or magnetometric approach are used, then subsurface fluid tracking can be achieved, but the accuracy and resolution are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary computational processing system that enhances the resolution and accuracy of magnetometric measurements. By using computers to process magnetic field data, calculate electric current density distributions, and generate detailed subsurface maps, the system overcomes the inherent limitations of direct magnetometric measurement resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional point measurements to three-dimensional spatial mapping of subsurface fluids. By collecting magnetic field measurements at multiple surface locations and processing them to create volumetric models of electric current density and fluid distribution, the system achieves high-resolution spatial characterization that overcomes the limitations of traditional single-point geophysical methods.
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
This approach provides more accurate and cost-effective detection of subsurface fluids by combining microseismic resonance, gamma radiation, and magnetometric density methods, increasing confidence in drilling locations and reducing the likelihood of dry wells by identifying areas with high fluid presence and flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
obtain microseismic resonance signals from multiple surface locations over a subsurface region of interest
Implementation Method 2
obtain a gamma radiation count from multiple surface locations over a subsurface region of interest
Implementation Method 3
obtain magnetometric density data based on a magnetic field generated by electric current passing through a hydrogeologic system of the subsurface region of interest
Implementation Method 4
magnetic field generated by electric current passing through a hydrogeologic system
Data Source
AI summary
A method of detecting subsurface conditions conducive to fluid transfer can include obtaining microseismic resonance signals from multiple surface locations over a subsurface region of interest using a resonance sensor, wherein for at least a plurality of the multiple surface locations, multiple microseismic resonance signals are obtained at different times to generate signal stacks. In some examples, the method can also include amplifying the microseismic resonance signals, filtering out the high frequencies at least above about 7,500 Hz leaving low frequencies at least as low as about 4 Hz for evaluation, and using these low frequencies to identify subsurface fracture zones where subsurface fluid may be present. In some examples, subsurface fluids can be detected and/or mapped using gamma radiation count and/or magnetometric density data collected using appropriate equipment.