The processes used in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas are continually being improved. A recent example came in February 2014, when Schlumberger introduced a new, high-fidelity micro-seismic acquisition system for surface and shallow-grid microseismic surveys.

Why is this development significant? The new system provides improved imaging of hydraulic fracture geometry. It does so by optimizing the microseismic signal quality. These improvements were demonstrated at a well site in Texas, where the new system and a conventional system were deployed head-to-head to monitor hydraulic fracture treatments in a horizontal shale completion. The new system improved the sensitivity to smaller microseismic events by boosting the signal-to-noise ratio more than two-fold, according to the company.  

This enables the detection of more micro-seismic events, thereby allowing those engaged in energy development to better understand their stimulation operations, refine their completion design, and potentially increase production.

Schlumberger, which traces its roots to the Alsace region near the French-German border in the 1870s, is a global leader in supplying technology, integrated project management, and information solutions to the oil and gas industry. It operates 125 research and engineering facilities around the world, and is at the cutting edge of making the energy industry more productive and efficient. 

In the case of the new microseismic system, an industry-first geophone accelerometer and ultra-low noise electronics produce an exceptionally wide range of signal detectability. A nodal-based wireless acquisition system also offers increased flexibility in designing and deploying the surface and near-surface arrays. GPS-synchronized data are continuously transmitted to an operations support center, providing customers with real-time data processing and interpretation.

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