Past Phases The Reservoir Characterization Project researches and develops applications of multicomponent seismology to reservoir characterization and development. Each multi-year research phase has resulted in the advancement and development of new 3-D multicomponent acquisition, processing and interpretation technologies. The main thrust of research has been on reservoir characterization in a variety of geologic settings, but is now moving towards monitoring of production processes, and determining reservoir property variations under changing conditions. Weyburn - Vacuum - Joffre and Sorrento - Cedar Hill - South Casper Creek - Silo Weyburn Field - Phase VIII and IX (still active) Phase VIII focused on high resolution dynamic reservoir characterization utilizing shear wave, compressional wave, and converted wave seismic data. Phase VIII was conducted at Weyburn Field, southern Saskatchewan, Canada. PanCanadian Petroleum initiated a horizontal to horizontal well simultaneous but seperate CO2 and water injection program in the Midale reservoir. The total reservoir interval is 30 m thick with the CO2 being injected into the upper 10 m. The thin, fractured carbonate reservoir allowed RCP extend the limits of seismic resolution and dynamic reservoir characterization. Phase IX will continue to monitor the EOR project at Weyburn field by acquiring a third survey in the fall of 2002. In addition to continuing RCP's tradition of working with multicomponent, time-lapse seismic data, Phase IX will emphasize using these data to construct and simulate high-resolution reservoir models to maximize the efficiency of enhanced oil recovery projects. Phase IX Home List of Weyburn Field Theses Vacuum Field - Phases VI and VII The main objective of this project was to conduct the first ever time-lapse, multicomponent seismic survey in conjunction with a CO2 huff-n-puff project. Vacuum Field is a carbonate fractured reservoir. The 4-D seismic data showed a definite anomaly associated with the injection of the CO2. The seismic data were also used to determine the locations of major faults and fractures in the producing area. The detection of the CO2 was made with the shear wave data set. Conventional P-wave data did not detect the anomaly. Therefore, this indicates that shear wave data has the potential to successfully monitor CO2 injection operations. Phase VII continued the project at Vacuum field by acquiring two more surveys. During this time, the enhanced oil recovery project became a regular CO2 flood program. The seismic data were used to determine to movement of the CO2 within the reservoir. List of Vacuum Field Theses Joffre and Sorrento Fields - Phase V The main objective for these concurrent projects was the application of multicomponent seismology to characterize lithologic and diagenetic facies changes within stratigraphic reservoirs. This study incorporates two fields - Joffre Field, Alberta which is a Devonian carbonate reservoir, and Sorrento Field, Colorado which is a Pennsylvanian valley-fill sandstone reservoir. At Joffre field, the Nisku dolomite reservoir is stratigraphically variant by diagenetic alteration. As a result, erratic porosity and permeability distribution occurs in the reservoir making reservoir development difficult. At Sorrento field, the Morrow sandstone reservoir is difficult to detect from conventional P-wave data because the acoustic impedance of the sandstone is the same as the surrounding marine shale. This made Sorrento an ideal area to test multicomponent seismic applications. As similar stratigraphic settings are found in carbonate and clastic areas worldwide, this study has widespread application. List of Joffre and Sorrento Theses Cedar Hill Field - Phase IV A multicomponent 3-D seismic survey was conducted over a coal bed methane reservoir near Cedar Hill, New Mexico. The purpose of the survey was to characterize fractures in the coal beds which are of importance to the production of natural gas. Primary objectives were to determine the dominant direction of fracturing, the variations in fracture direction, and the amount of fracturing in the reservoir. List of Cedar Hill Theses South Casper Creek Field - Phase III Based on the favourable results of the first project, a 3-D, 3-C seismic survey was conducted at this field which is located in Wyoming. These data were complemented by 3-C vertical seismic profiles (VSP's), as well as core analysis and specialized well logs. This field, which produces from the Pennsylvanian Tensleep Sandstone, has 85% of original oil still in place. The oil is extremely viscous and reservoir heterogeneities limit drainage to the boreholes. The objective was to use shear-wave information to detect lithologic and fracture controls of permeability variation. This was also the first 3-D, 3-C seismic survey performed in a reservoir with substantial structural relief. This study revised knowledge of the field and identified numerous heterogeneities, structural and lithologic, and successfully explained the results of earlier enhanced recovery pilot projects. This also opened up use of 3-D, 3-C seismic surveys to many existing fields with structural control of petroleum accumulations. List of South Casper Creek Theses Silo Field - Phase I and II Working with partners, and using the Silo Field in Wyoming as a laboratory, in 1987 CSM acquired, processed , and interpreted the first 3-D, 3-C survey ever performed. This survey was successful in delineating reservoir heterogeneity controlled by fractures in a flat-lying Cretaceous chalk reservoir. 3-D, 3-C seismic surveys involve seismic data acquisition in three orientations at each receiver station - two orthogonal and one vertical. Using three source components, nine times the data of a conventional P-wave 3-D can be recorded. As a result the 3-D, 3-C seismic surveys provide significantly more information about the fluid/rock properties of a reservoir than can be achieved from conventional P-wave seismic surveys alone. Rock properties, including lithology and porosity, may be obtained from comparative traveltimes or velocities of P- and S-waves. Fluid properties, including permeability, may be determined from comparative P and S anisotropy, traveltime, reflectivity, and attenuation measurements. List of Silo Field Theses