Passive seismic data acquisition and processing usung multi-level sensor arrays

摘要

A method for passive seismic surveying includes deploying seismic sensors (12) in a plurality of spatially distributed wellbores (10) disposed above a volume of subsurface formations to be evaluated. The sensors (12) in each wellbore (10) form a line of sensors. Each sensor (12) generate optical or electrical signals in response to seismic amplitude. The seismic signals from each sensor (12) are recorded for a selected period of time. The response of the seismic sensor (12) recordings is beam steered to at least one of a selected point and a selected volume in the subsurface. At least one microseismic event is identified in the beam steered response.