Locating Hydrocarbon Reservoirs by
listening to Earth's Ambient Seismic Noise
By passively recording the naturally occurring long-wavelength, low-hertz eigenfrequencies of the earth, Acoustic Reservoir Imaging (ARI) can identify with significant accuracy the existence of subterranean hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Creating a Survey
At a survey site, an ARI crew places the seismometers and records the data, which are then analyzed and mapped to show the locations of any hydrocarbon reservoirs. A survey of the size shown in the map would require between 100 and 120 mapping points.
ARI extends and enhances the capabilities of other seismic exploration methodologies through the application of innovative data collection and analysis practices. While not intended as a replacement to other exploration technologies, in situations where other seismic methodologies are economically unworkable, an ARI survey can often be sufficient for making thoughtful decisions.
Using technologies in research since the mid-20th Century—and employed during the Apollo space missions for seismic exploration on the moon—ARI surveys have helped drillers and investors improve their successes, while sidestepping costly dry holes.
The noninvasive nature of ARI makes it suitable for widespread application in fragile ecological locations and palatable to environmentally sensitive landowners.
When used with other technologies, or alone, ARI surveys have resulted in very favorable success rates for predicting the availability of viable deposits of oil and natural gas.