METHOD FOR SEISMIC MONITORING OF ARRAY OF ROCKS HOLDING UNDERGROUND STORAGE OF HYDROCARBONS Russian patent published in 2013 - IPC G01V1/40 E21B47/14 

FIELD: physics.

SUBSTANCE: disclosed method involves drilling at least one observation well in the vicinity of a producing well which connects the storage with the surface. At least one seismic receiver which is in acoustic contact with rocks surrounding the observation well is placed in the observation well. Hydrocarbon pressure in the underground storage is periodically reduced and increased. The seismic receiver detects seismo-acoustic signals at successive steps of reducing and increasing pressure. The longest of the durations of the first half-waves of signals detected at the pressure reduction section and durations of the first half-waves of all signals at the pressure raising section are determined. The onset of cracks near the boundary of the storage, which are capable of destroying the storage, is determined from the onset of at least one seismo-acoustic signal. The destruction of the array of rocks around the storage is indicated by the duration of the first half-wave of such a seismo-acoustic signal at the pressure raising step being shorter than the longest of the durations of the first half-waves of signals detected at the pressure reduction step.

EFFECT: high reliability of predicting destruction of an array of rocks holding an underground storage of hydrocarbons.