The Time Lapse Test in Al Wasse Water Pumping Field in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Detect the Movement of Aquifer using the Seismic Ultra-Stable Seismic Source called ACROSS

J. Kasahara¹, K.S. AlDamegh², G. Al-Anezi², O. Lafouza², K. AlYousef², A. Alhumaizi², and R. Kubota³

Abstract

We have developed the time lapse technology for EOR (enhanced oil recovery) and CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) using a very stable and continuous seismic source called ACROSS (Accurately Controlled Routinely Operated Signal System) with multi-geophones. We are testing this technology in the context of carbonate rocks in Saudi Arabia. The Al Wasse water pumping site approximately 120 km east of Riyadh has been selected as a trail-site. The intention is to observe the changes in aquifers induced by pumping operations. One ACROSS source unit was installed at the Al Wasse site in December 2011 and continuing the field test. The instrument has been operated from 10 to 50 Hz with 40 tons -f at 50 Hz. Using alternatively clockwise and counter-clockwise rotations we can synthesize vertical and horizontal forces, respectively. 31 3C-geophones in 2 km x 3 km area and four nearby 3C-geophones have been used to monitor the seismic changes from pumping the water. The two months data between December 2012 and February 2013 show continuous and clear change of observed waveforms for all 31 stations while the source signature did not change. We carried out the back-propagation of residual wave forms to image the change of aquifer zone. We obtained that the change of aquifer is concentrated to #53. The cause of continuous change with time is interpreted as pumping of water by 64 wells located in this field.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90188 ©GEO-2014, 11th Middle East Geosciences Conference and Exhibition, 10-12 March 2014, Manama, Bahrain