Passive seismic techniques are developing in many directions

Yasin C. El-Taha, Petroleum Development Oman, reports on the 6th EAGE Passive Seismic Workshop held on 1-3 February in Muscat with the theme ‘From Data to Decisions’. Attended by approximately 50 participants, the workshop was well received both in discussions during the event and in excellent feedback submitted since. Strongly supported by various operators and service companies, the industry showed renewed commitment to the technology and its development worldwide. After an opening address from keynote speaker Salim Rawahi, geosolutions manager, Petroleum Development Oman (PDO), the workshop continued with a regional focus. From a European perspective, projects were shown with a link to strong drivers or requirements from regula­tory bodies. This situation is currently under heavy scrutiny amongst industry and media alike with high profile projects such as the Groningen gas field. An overview was given of hydraulic fracture monitoring (HFM) in China showcas­ing a rapid rise in uptake of this technology. Monitoring of fracking completions in China has progressed to an advanced stage and is now being regularly used for field development decisions, well placement optimisation and fracking design improvement.