VSP technology - From check shot to advanced distributed acoustic sensing

Instructor: Sebastien Soulas (Avalon Sciences Ltd)
Language: English, French 
Level: Intermediate
Duration and formats:
Online:  2 half days of 3-4 hours CPD Points: 8
Classroom: 3 days CPD Points: 15

Course Description

The purpose and objectives of the borehole seismic class will be to convene earth scientists for the following:

1. To understand the various types of borehole seismic solutions for both integrated reservoir characterization and seismic monitoring.
2. What can borehole seismic bring to derisk drilling operations and reduce subsurface uncertainties.
3. Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS): and 3-C fiber Optic sensor applications, challenges, showcases and future.

Downhole VSP tools have rapidly evolved from single component analogue to digital 3-C multi tools (100+ levels) on wireline, Logging While Drilling (LWD) seismic while drilling to meet real-time demand of directional drilling to Distributed Acoustic Sensing technology and rapid development of 3-C optical sensors in harsh environment for active and passive seismic monitoring using permanent installations.  

This will provide insight on how to use and integrate VSP information for seismic reservoir characterization for Oil and Gas applications but also in the context of energy transition such as geothermal and CCUS geophysical monitoring and imaging applications.

Course Outline

  1. VSP Basics

  • Identify differing VSP geometries and general overview

  • Select the correct VSP geometry for the business objective

  1. VSP Data Acquisition and Processing (equipment and conveyance)

  • Identify which onshore and offshore surface and downhole equipment to use

  • Identify the correct conveyance methods to use

  • Identify the correct data and the correct tools to use

  1. VSP Planning and demo (modelling and feasibility)

  • Review the VSP 3D pre-survey modelling software

  1. Velocity Survey

  • Review data conditioning for first break data picking

  • Identify the limits of absolute time-depth based on well geometry and geology

  1. Basic Rig Source VSP Processing

  • Test the parameters and impacts in the processing results

  • High Angle Wells

  • Change the parameters associated with high-angle wells and non-zero offset VSP geometry

  1. Look-ahead VSP & SWD

  • Estimate prediction ahead of the bit and immersion technique limits

  1. Rock Properties, AVO, Anisotropy and multiples

  • Use VSP beyond time-depth processing

  1. Imaging/3D VSP and Future Technologies

  • Review how to use VSP for 3D surface imaging

  • Discuss the pros and cons of VSP as a 3D imaging tool

  1. Distributed Acoustic Sensing  

  • DAS principles

  • DAS technology for active/passive seismic applications

  • Technology evolution and industry examples

Participants’ Profile

Geologists, Geophysicists and geoscientists who would like to get an understanding of VSP principles and various applications.

Prerequisites

Basic understanding of Geology and geophysics including signal processing and geophysical operations (surface and downhole).

About the Instructor

Sebastien Soulas completed his Master’s degree in Geophysics (specialising in Borehole geophysics) from School and Observatory of Earth Sciences (EOST), Strasbourg France, in 1994. He then spent 12 years working in marine seismic data processing, acquisition, and analysis at various European locations before leading global borehole seismic activities for Maersk Oil in Copenhagen. He worked for BP 8 years and acted as senior Borehole Seismic Technical Expert in Upstream Reservoir Development, managing global borehole seismic operations, including the planning and execution of data acquisition, data processing and VSP data integration with surface seismic. 

At the beginning of 2019, he joined LYTT as Senior Advisor for Borehole Seismic, a BP tech start-up which develop and deploy high-value applications using DAS and DTS to provide real-time 24/7 subsurface analytics including seismic applications. He played an instrumental role in the design, development, installation, and validation in the industry’s first subsea DAS VSP system using distributed Fiber Optic Sensing (DFOS) for bp in GoM Atlantis field.

He joined Avalon Sciences in May 2022 as Global Operations Manager in Somerton and is overseeing field operations, field testing and advise on internal/external technical matters. He also continues to provide support to the R&D team in downhole 3-C optical seismic sensors technology development for active and passive seismic.

He has presented numerous technical papers on borehole Geophysics including DAS seismic at EAGE and SEG conferences and workshops promoting data value, technology adoption and integration with surface seismic.