Downhole microseismic monitoring of stimulation and production of unconventional reservoirs has resulted in renewed industry interest in seismic anisotropy. This occurred not only because anisotropy of hydrocarbon-bearing shales is among the strongest in rocks but also because downhole microseismics shifts the focus from the standard exploration of P-waves to shear waves. The consequences of the difference in wave type are profound for geophysicists because everyone involved - from theoreticians to developers and users of microseismic data-processing software - must be aware of shear-wave splitting, singularities, and multivalued wavefronts, which have been largely irrelevant for P-waves propagating in relatively simple geologic settings. Anisotropy and Microseismics leads readers on a path of discovery of rarely examined wave phenomena and their possible usage. Most of the chapters begin by formulating a question, followed by explanations of what is exciting about it, where the mystery might lie, and what could be the potential value of answering the question. Importantly, the findings entail useful applications, as showcased by the unmistakably practical flavor of the chapters on microseismic event location, moment tensor inversion, and imaging. As an investigation of microseismic methodologies and techniques is conducted, it often yields unexpected results.

Sustainable Geoscience for Natural Gas SubSurface Systems delivers many of the scientific fundamentals needed in the natural gas industry, including coal-seam gas reservoir characterization and fracture analysis modeling for shale and tight gas reservoirs. Advanced research includes machine learning applications for well log and facies analysis, 3D gas property geological modeling, and X-ray CT scanning to reduce environmental hazards. Supported by corporate and academic contributors, along with two well-distinguished editors, the book gives today's natural gas engineers both fundamentals and advances in a convenient resource, with a zero-carbon future in mind. - Includes structured case studies to illustrate how new principles can be applied in practical situations - Helps readers understand advanced topics, including machine learning applications to optimize predictions, controls and improve knowledge-based applications - Provides tactics to accelerate emission reductions - Teaches gas fracturing mechanics aimed at reducing environmental impacts, along with enhanced oil recovery technologies that capture carbon dioxide

Over the past decade, microseismic monitoring, a technology developed for evaluating completions of wells drilled to produce hydrocarbons from unconventional reservoirs, has grown increasingly popular among oil and gas companies. Microseismic Monitoring, by Vladimir Grechka and Werner M. Heigl, discusses how to process microseismic data, what can and cannot be inferred from such data, and to what level of certainty this might be possible. The narrative of the book follows the passage of seismic waves: from a source triggered by hydraulic fracture stimulation, through hydrocarbon-bearing formations, towards motion sensors. The waves’ characteristics encode the location of their source and its focal mechanism. The analysis of various approaches to harvesting the source-related information from microseismic records has singled out the accuracy of the velocity model, fully accounting for the strong elastic anisotropy of hydraulically fractured shales, as the most critical ingredient for obtaining precise source locations and interpretable moment tensors. The ray theory complemented by its modern extensions, paraxial and Fréchet ray tracing, provides the only practical means available today for building such models. The book is written for geophysicists interested in learning and applying advanced microseismic data-processing techniques.

A study of topics related to acoustic emission/microseismic (AE/MS) activity. It covers basic material behaviour, stress wave propagation, transducer design and installation, electronic instrumentation, data acquisition and analysis, and signal processing, as well as practical applications.

A comprehensive overview of the key geologic, geomechanical and engineering principles that govern the development of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. Covering hydrocarbon-bearing formations, horizontal drilling, reservoir seismology and environmental impacts, this is an invaluable resource for geologists, geophysicists and reservoir engineers.