Abstract: Methods and apparatus for interferometric seismic imaging and creation of a high-resolution three-dimensional seismic volume in proximity to a wellbore are described. In contrast to current methods that deliver positions of microseismic events using a small fraction of the microseismic wavefield, the present invention provides for the analysis of a full microseismic wavefield. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes creating a planar image slice and/or corridor between the location of one or more microseismic events and one or several sensor arrays to produce a multitude of azimuthally orientated planar image slices and/or corridors. The method further includes adding the planar image slice and/or corridor contributions to create a single three-dimensional volume for analysis and rendering.

Abstract: A method includes seismic wave field continuation, imaging and data analysis steps that are applied in a near well region.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for processing and imaging seismic data without the use of cross-well seismic data includes in one aspect providing a first data set representative of a first 3D VSP of a first region of a subterranean formation, and providing a second data set representative of a second 3D VSP of a second region of the subterranean formation. The first data set and the second data set define a common region and are merged within the common region to produce a third data set representative of a third 3D VSP .

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes providing a first velocity model obtained from a vertical seismic profile survey representative of an upper region of a subterranean formation. Wavefields from the first velocity model are datumed using wave equations to a datum line between the upper region and a target area beneath the upper region to obtain datumed wavefields. The method further includes obtaining interferometric common shot data and interferometric common midpoint data from the datumed wavefield using wave equations at the datum line. The first velocity model, the datumed wavefield, wavefield equations, and the interferometric common midpoint data are then used to generate a second velocity model representative of velocities in the target area.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first data set representative of a first 3D VSP of a first region of a subterranean formation, and providing a second data set representative of a second 3D VSP of a second region of the subterranean formation. The first data set and the second data set define a common region of the subterranean formation. The first data set and the second data set are merged within the common region to produce a third data set representative of a third 3D VSP of the first and second regions of subterranean formation. The third data set is then stored on a computer readable medium.

Abstract: A method includes seismic wave field continuation, imaging and data analysis steps that are applied in a near well region.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first velocity model obtained from a VSP survey representative of an upper region of a subterranean formation. Wavefield equations from the first velocity model are datumed to a datum line between the upper region and a target area beneath the upper region to obtain datumed wavefield equations. The method further includes obtaining interferometric common shot data and interferometric common midpoint data from the datumed wavefield equations at the datum line. The first velocity model, the datumed wavefield equations, and the interferometric common midpoint data are then used to generate a second velocity model representative of velocities in the target area.