Insight article
Seismic thinking for CCS – Unlocking the power of seismic technology
27 Jan 2025
As the world moves towards its goal of net zero, carbon capture and storage (CCS) will play an essential part in supporting the energy transition. The success of CCS projects, with safe and effective CO2 storage, will rely on advanced seismic technology and your expertise in seismic data analysis and interpretation.At the Shearwater Technical Day in London we explored the critical role of seismic technology in CCS projects and discussed evolving technologies for geoscientists. Read the summary below and access the presentations given during the day.
High Resolution Seismic: Critical to Containment Risk Assessment
High-resolution 3D seismic surveys are the backbone of CCS site characterisation. They provide detailed images of the subsurface and reliable quantitative interpretation, which are crucial for assessing the safe containment of CO₂.
At Shearwater, we provide a range of solutions in our toolbox for high-resolution baseline imaging, whether through new acquisition or reprocessing of legacy data, extending the bandwidth of existing data.
Data Resolution: Precision in imaging and mitigating risks
Maximising seismic bandwidth and accurate velocity modeling are essential for imaging and interpreting seismic data. These techniques enhance our ability to understand the subsurface layers with high precision, ensuring we correctly identify suitable storage formations.
Identifying faults and fractures is also vital to prevent CO₂ leakage. By detecting these early, we can avoid sites with higher risks of containment failure, ensuring the long-term success of CCS projects.
Shearwater’s processing and imaging software, Reveal, has a comprehensive toolbox to maximise your seismic’s potential. We’re super excited that our research team, in collaboration with Mondaic AG, are bringing spectral elements FWI to the industry. Maximising the quality of the image and potential for quantitative interpretation - both key to understanding the storage complex.
The success of the new FWI is based on spectral element grids which conform to the geology - honouring sharp discontinuities by adapting the cell shape and size, unlike other FWI algorithms, which are stuck with a pre-selected rectangular cell size. Elastic spectral elements FWI brings clearer and more accurate imaging to reduce errors and uncertainties in subsurface exploration.
Seismic monitoring: Tracking CO₂ movement and ensuring site stability
There are still open questions about what monitoring will look like for CCS. Monitoring must consider site-specific reservoir type and location: will the site provide a good 4D response, and how will you acquire the optimal dataset to see it? Do you need additional measurements in other domains?
At Shearwater, we have a highly skilled team and a flexible portfolio of tools. We don’t know precisely where the CCS journey will go, so we will commit to keeping you engaged in the conversation about monitoring. Solutions must be affordable within the CCS business model and fit to demonstrate containment and conformity. We're ready to explore the future of CCS together.
Exploring the future of seismic for CCS
Your role as a geoscientist is crucial to the success of CCS projects. By leveraging advanced seismic technology, you ensure we can safely and effectively capture and store CO₂, contributing to a sustainable future.
It's our aim to become the geophysical partner of choice for carbon storage by providing fellow scientists with cost-effective technical and operational solutions. Meet your technical and commercial objectives by engaging early and developing fit-for-purpose seismic for CCS site screening, characterisation and monitoring.
Get in touch if you're interested in the presentations shared during the seminar. Contact Dave Forecast, dforecast@shearwatergeo.com.
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