Seismic data acquisition through tubing

We have collected good quality crosswell seismic data through production tubing in active oil fields at realistic interwell distances (300 ft). The data were collected at the Aera Cymric field (1998) and at a Chevron site (1997); both located in the Central Valley of California. The Aera data were used to produce travel-time tomographic images of the interwell region. Both sites have similar geology, namely siliceous shale (diatomite) with moderate to highly attenuating reservoir rocks. In addition we confirmed modeling predictions that typical tubing attenuation losses are on the order of 12 dB. We expect that the use of stronger sources and tube wave suppression will allow for crosswell imaging at realistic distances even for low Q or high noise situations. We are searching for an industrial partner now for a data collection in the gas wells of the San Juan Basin or South Texas.