Acquiring high-resolution seismic data for geothermal exploration

Project snapshot

Project partners: STRYDE and Seismic Mechatronics BV

Location: Netherlands

Environment type: Urban environment

Survey size: 7.5km

Application seismic was acquired for: Geothermal

Deliverables: 2D seismic data

Project goal: Acquiring high-density seismic within a challenging and restrictive urban environment, to support geothermal exploration. Project to utilize the Seismic Mechatronics’ proprietary eVibe source in combination with STRYDE Nodes™, with the results compared to previous explosive surveys.

Survey snapshot

Survey type: 2D reflection survey

Source used: Seismic Mechatronics Storm10 eVibe (mounted on an electric Manitou MTE625 carrier)

Survey layout: Single 7.5 km 2D line

Line and reciever point spacing: 7.5 km line with a 5 m receiver spacing

Production operating mode: 10 hours/day (night-time) for the entire 8 project days with 1ms sample rate

Number of teams and total crew size for deployment/acquisition/retrieval operations :

Deployment = 1x 3-person team, deployed 1,500 nodes in 2 standard working days
Acquisition = 1x 3-person team used during eVibe source acquisition
Retrieval = 1x 2-person team retrieved the nodes in 1 standard working day

Urban acquisition challenges

Environment

The challenging inner-city location of the seismic line resulted in the shot records being heavily contaminated with environmental noise. However, this noise, along with the normal expression of ground roll and the like, were successfully attenuated and strong broad-band reflectivity was able to be imaged.

People

As there was a lot of traffic on the streets and railroad, it put the safety of personnel at a higher risk. Therefore, it was decided to work during the night between ca. 00.00am and 5.00am to increase safety (and reduce environmental noise).

"The STRYDE Nodes™ support us greatly in our mission to offer zero-carbon seismic acquisition. Eliminating CO2 emissions and reducing our environmental footprint is essential in making the industry more sustainable."

Richard de Kunder

CEO at Seismic Mechatronics BV

The solution

STRYDE’s Nimble System™ was deployed to Seismic Mechatronics in the Netherlands and comprised of:

1,500 STRYDE Nodes™
1 Nest (charge and data harvesting hardware)
1 Portable Server Unit
3 Deployment and Retrieval Backpacks
2 Navigator Tablets (for precision deployment)
3 Initialisation Devices (to turn on the nodes in the field)
153 Magazine Strips (each holds 10 nodes)

The results   

Operational Production Results

Survey was completed in just 8 days, including deployment of nodes, source acquisition, and retrieval of nodes, with a total of 3 people involved.

Environmental Impact

STRYDE Nodes™ working in combination with the eVibe demonstrated that “zero-carbon acquisition” could be possible. Fully eliminating any CO₂ emissions during the deployment/retrieval of the nodes and per vibrator point.

Data Acquisition Results

The STRYDE Node™ and eVibe data shows higher resolution, better continuity, and sharper imaging in both the near surface as well as in the deeper subsurface when compared to the explosive survey of 2021.

"This project highlights the adaptability of the STRYDE technology in the urban environment with the rapid and sustainable operations, the ability to maintain a high-density survey, and the minimal disruption to the local population."

Nick Tranter

Business Development Manager - New Energy

Benefits of working with STRYDE

The use of STRYDE Nodes™ on this acquisition enabled a magnitude of cost savings and operational efficiency gains, as well as reduced exposure to HSSE risk, and a significant reduction in environmental footprint and land disruption.

Reduced project lifecycle costs

STRYDE Nodes™ are compact and affordable. This means reduced outlay on receiver equipment, faster layout and retrieval using fewer field crew and vehicles, and less line clearing

Lower environmental footprint

Environmentally damaging line clearing is eliminated, since equipment can be hand carried. You also need far fewer vehicles, reducing CO₂ emissions and land disruption

Improved image quality

STRYDE allows users to achieve a significantly greater trace density for any given budget, leading to a significant uplift in seismic image quality

Improved HSSE

The lightweight design of the nodes means you need fewer people in the field, reduced driving and line clearing - minimising exposure to HSE risk and reducing costs

Zero permitting required

Use of low-environmental impact seismic equipment meant that survey permits were not required

Acquiring high-resolution seismic data for geothermal exploration in an urban environment

Project snapshot

Survey snapshot

Urban acquisition challenges

Environment

People

Richard de Kunder

The solution

The results

Nick Tranter

Want to know more?

Benefits of working with STRYDE

Reduced project lifecycle costs

Lower environmental footprint

Improved image quality

Improved HSSE

Zero permitting required

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