3D Seismic Testing - What happens pictorial

For anyone wondering I will try to follow the sequence of what happens when they come on your property to do the surveying and later when they drill the holes etc.


 The first crew that showed up was the crew cutting the paths for and marking where the seismic sensors go.  They marked their trail with pink survey tape.  Where the sensors will sit they sprayed pink paint on the ground and hung pink and white survey tape above them.  Because we have livestock our agreement was that anything they cut down had to be cut at ground level.   The first time they left foot high spikes and we called and complained-they were back the next day and cut them to the ground.

                                                                                                                              

A couple of weeks later another crew showed up to mark where the shot holes would be drilled.  Orange paint and orange and white tape.  We hadn't had a chance to mow so all these guys were wading through head high weeds in the fields and higher brush and thorns on the rest of the property.  Had to make for a very long and hard day.  Every time someone was to be on the property they called to say they would be 'in the area'.

 
 Today the drill equipment was across the street ready to start on the neighbors property.  Since we were there to open gates and show them how to get to the harder part of the property they called and got the ok to change their plans and do ours first.

 
 First picture-set up to drill.  Second-bit hits the ground.  Third-unlocking bit to add pipe-third adding pipe.  Fourth-drilling with our inspection team watching.  Fifth-setting the charge, note the inspection team is closer.  Sixth is topping the hole and seventh the inspection team checks out their work.

                                                                                                                         

This is not a job for the weak-these guys worked their *@#% off.  They were friendly and polite and always willing to answer our questions.  They seemed genuinely grateful when we showed them places to park and opened gates for them.  We just thought it was pretty neat that they were here on a Saturday and we got to watch take pictures to our heart's content.   Don't know what happens next but when we do I'll follow up with more information.






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Permalink Reply by Mike on September 6, 2013 at 2:18pm
This is reply to do you get any data from the test?

Everything is negotiable. The clause is called a data viewing session. The data is compiled, but not interrupted.
Honestly, you and I can't read it, but if you have many acres, and possible not leased, or your lease is coming up, you do want to have the same info as the O&G companies. You want a level playing field when talking with the O&G companies. Hire a seismic consultant, My clause has up to 2 hours on-line viewing of the data from the points on my land. I hope if it works out, I will know the depths, and thickness of the plays on my property.
Permalink Reply by lynn on September 8, 2013 at 11:20am

Understand Mike but we didn't push.  Already leased and a long way from it running out.  We already pretty much decided that the lease bonus was a one-time bounty and if the shallow drilling in the '80's is any indication not much will happen here.  Really wanted to see how they do seismic and this accomplishes that-not to mention we get to feel like we're part of the amazing progress that's going on around here.

Permalink Reply by Gary R Sarisky on September 14, 2013 at 10:25am

Thumper trucks in north jackson on mahoning av in action.

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Permalink Reply by lynn on September 23, 2013 at 11:39am

Crew were back out Sept 21 and 22 putting in sensors.  Five or six guys and yes they worked during the pouring rain Sunday.  There's a good picture of their little white chopper with the bags they drop under Thumper Trucks.  They carried the stuff on our place because of the livestock.  They used a gas powered drill to drill a small hole for the sensor-on the right side of the picture.  Don't know what the other two pieces are but guessing some kind of a reader or transmitter.

Permalink Reply by Craig Cooper on September 23, 2013 at 3:45pm

The smaller yellow box is a Geospace Seismic Recorder (aka GSX) and the longer white box is a battery pack. 

The GSX is essentially a small computer and will hold 16 gigabytes of seismic data that is detected & transmitted via the sensor. The battery pack will allow the system to function continuously 24 hours / day for up to 30 days.

Permalink Reply by lynn on September 28, 2013 at 6:05am

Thanks Craig.  My husband guessed right that one part was a recorder.

Permalink Reply by lynn on September 28, 2013 at 6:21am

It seems the testing started Saturday morning.  Friday one guy was walking the pastures-it looked like maybe checking sensors that weren't working.  Husband said he had a horse and mule 'tail' across the field but it didn't seem to bother him.  Saturday morning I thought my husband fell-that's what it sounded like in the house.  He didn't even hear that one but the next one he thought I fell.  The glassware in the old corner cupboard rattled.  When he went out two guys were in the field walking from shot hole to shot hole.  Of course our 'inspectors' wanted to know what they were doing-he heard the guys yelling trying to chase them away from the hole they were working on.  They wouldn't leave until the charge went off-then they decided to watch from a couple hundred feet away.  The six or eight holes closest to the house we could feel a  shake and some glassware rattled.  About the same as when the neighbors set off fireworks.  We could hear the 'thump' about every ten minutes for the next hour.  We walked out and looked at some of the holes.  Except that we could see they moved the dirt to get to the wires there wasn't much change in their appearance.   I think the next step will be to collect all the sensors then I guess they're done.  I hope they get what they're looking for because they sure put a lot of work and time in for a few minutes of data.

Permalink Reply by Craig Cooper on September 28, 2013 at 8:28am

lynn,

How close to your house were the shot holes? They should have been relatively far away; houses and other buildings are supposed to have a buffer around them. Though I can't say for certain, the fact that you had things rattle around inside your house suggests that they may have been a bit too close.

Do you have water wells & sceptic? There should have been buffers around them too.

Also, do you know whether pre-seismic program pictures were taken of the foundations of your buildings or whether your water wells were inspected? 

Often, special tests are conducted prior to seismic acquisition that will help determine the proper distance(s) for buffers around buildings, water wells, etc. They are called PPV or 'particle velocity' tests / measurements. Do you know whether the acquisition company conducted them?

Just curious. It is always a good idea for land / surface owners to get as much documentation about the project from the acquisition company as possible prior to the initiation of seismic acquisition. Also, it is a good idea to require PPV tests, hard copy of buffer distances and tests of any water wells prior to the initiation of seismic acquisition. I'd also recommend documentation of conditions before & after the project.

Permalink Reply by lynn on September 29, 2013 at 7:57am

Craig-the contract said minimum of 300 feet but in reality they were 400 to 500' away.  Like I said-it was no worse than when neighbors set off fireworks.  Things rattle here if you jump up and down, that's why after the first two we thought one of us had fallen.  Somebody west of us set off a couple fireworks a month ago that REALLY  shook the house-several times worse than what we felt Saturday.  You bring up some good points but hindsight is still hindsight and it's done now and we've found no problems.

Permalink Reply by Craig Cooper on September 29, 2013 at 8:04am

lynn,

Thanks for the info. Glad things turned out okay.

Permalink Reply by lynn on October 6, 2013 at 10:03am

Testing is over.  We wondered why they hadn't picked up their sensors-Tues day we found out why.  The thumper trucks came down the road doing their thing.  Sensors were picked up Thursday.  By hand here but we saw the helicopter Friday and Saturday.  They picked up the ones in heavy cover just like they put them down, with the chopper and the cable.  If anything else happens I'll add to this discussion but as of now it's done.  Thanks for the nice comments.

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