Nonlinear Seismic Imaging, Inc. Information

Founded in 2001, Nonlinear Seismic Imaging, Inc. (NSII) has developed a suite of proprietary technologies for improved reservoir characterization. Hydrocarbon reservoirs are heterogeneous and complex in terms of porosity, permeability, fracturing, lithology, pore fluid saturation, and distribution. Knowledge of these reservoir parameters and their spatial variation is critical in the evaluation of the total volume of hydrocarbon reserves in place and how these reserves can be extracted economically. When a compressional wave propagates through a reservoir formation certain nonlinear seismic attributes are created: -Harmonics of primary wave frequencies are generated -When two seismic signals are present, the sum and difference frequencies are generated -Laws of superposition do not hold and the propagating waves interact with each other -Slow-Wave or Drag-Wave is generated that travels as a slower velocity and lower frequencies are generated -The nonlinear component for higher viscosity pore fluids like oil is more pronounced compared to gas or water The nonlinear seismic attributes described above can be used in different ways to map the subsurface reservoir formations and their reservoir properties. Differential illumination of the hydrocarbon saturated rocks is the desired end result, resulting in a cheaper and simpler oil exploration effort. The need exists to upgrade a simplistic geologic model of the reservoir as a passive and linear system to a more advanced geologic model of the reservoir as an active and nonlinear system that will enable the industry to directly detect and map oil accumulations in areas that have simple or complex geology.