Reservoir Monitoring, 4D Signal, And Fiber-Optic Technology

One of the challenges faced by reservoir engineers is to understand the way fluid saturation, pressure<br>and compaction change between wells during production of a hydrocarbon reservoir. The optimum placement<br>of infill wells and identification of new step-out opportunities to maximize recovery of hydrocarbons depends<br>on such information. Time lapse (or 4D) seismic is acknowledged as being the only direct wide-scale<br>reservoir management tool capable of revealing these important details about a producing reservoir. The Life<br>of Field Seismic (LoFS) project at the Valhall field on the Norwegian continental shelf illustrates the technical<br>and economic success of reservoir monitoring using 4D seismic data. Today, as the industry explores, drills<br>and produces deeper and more challenging targets, reliable and consistent reservoir monitoring is becoming<br>even more essential. A new fiber optic seafloor seismic acquisition system – with high dynamic range, low<br>background noise, low cost per channel and a long operational life – is leading the way towards cost-effective<br>permanent seismic reservoir monitoring.