A Low Frequency, Passive Seismic Experiment over a Carbonate Reservoir in Abu Dhabi – Wavefront and Particle Motion Studi

A low frequency passive seismic experiment conducted over an onshore carbonate oilfield in Abu Dhabi observed a narrow band of low frequency (2.5 – 2.8 Hz) signals over both the oil reservoir and the water saturated zone (Ali et al., 2007). The possible causes of this low frequency energy are not well understood and it has yet to be demonstrated what types of waves are being observed. In this paper we present results of an investigation carried out to determine the apparent velocities and the azimuth of the wave fronts as well as the particle motion of the recorded low frequency waves. This work is currently ongoing, but the results so far indicates that the observed waves are most likely some type of surface wave and the azimuth to the source is pointing towards the nearest coastline in the area (the Arabian Gulf).