Brazilian national oil company Petrobras announced that they will install a permanent 4D seismic monitoring system at the 1500sq km Lula field, in the pre-salt Santos basin.
Four-dimensional seismic encompasses time, in addition to the three dimensions of space, and is one of the most advanced technologies available to monitor oil fields.
Petrobras has already installed similar systems in other areas of the Santos basin and at the Jubarte, Roncador, East Albacore, Barracuda, and Caratinga fields, in the Campos basin. The first 4D system was installed in the Marlim field in 2005.
The company requires environmental approval from the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA), before it begins to install nodes on the seafloor.
By comparing seismic data recorded at different times, it's possible to better understand the spatial distribution characteristics of reservoirs. This will allow Petrobras to define the best conditions and production options at Lula, by providing information about pressure variation and fluid saturation while the field is producing.
Image at right courtesy of Petrobras.
Related news:
Petrobras starts Iracema production, 15 October 2014
Petrobras sees pre-salt reserves increase, 15 January 2014
Permanent seismic reservoir monitoring on Jubarte, 1 November 2014
The case for 4D seismic, 7 October 2014
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