Landowner FAQs

MicroSeismic crews and equipment leave behind only a minimal footprint once a project is complete. No long term effects are incurred.

Unlike conventional seismic operations, MSI does not use explosives, or Vibroseis methods for an energy source. Microseismic is listening for the rocks in the reservoir to break and fail under the pressure created by the fracture job on the surface. MicroSeismic uses only the energy of the fractures themselves.

Microseismic data can clearly pinpoint what’s happening below the surface by mapping where the fractures are going. Using microseismic, operators can demonstrate that the fractures stay thousands of feet below the surface, so it is not possible for the process to contaminate water tables. Microseismic data can be used by operators (drillers), regulators, courts and legislators to prove that a well is not being affected by a hydraulic fracture operation, helping defend against allegations of contamination.

The BuriedArray requires short or long-term surface permitting but not mineral permitting.

When setting up your BuriedAray, Microseismic will permanently install sensors for BuriedArray® monitoring, listen for sound waves caused by well stimulation, produce detailed images of how the reservoir fractures during stimulation and Monitor well stimulation to help clients make better decisions about stimulation parameters.

MicroSeismic will not utilize traditional, active imaging techniques with heavy vibrator trucks or explosives, drill deep wells for oil and gas exploration, record data used to interpret reservoir structures or properties or create unnecessary noise – our recording equipment works best in quiet settings.

Interaction with the equipment on your property will vary depending on if you require continuous or discontinuous monitoring. During continuous monitoring, surface stations include fixed recording equipment for extended periods of monitoring time. During discontinuous monitoring, surface recording equipment is installed for short periods when wells are being stimulated and monitored.

MicroSeismic’s BuriedArray permanent data acquisition system utilizes permanent arrays of geophone strings installed in shallow wellbores. First, we use a portable drill to drill a small, shallow hole at each station. Next, sensors are cemented 100-300 feet below the surface. These sensors are similar to microphones; they are placed below the subsurface to listen to the rock breaking during well stimulations. Sensors are powered by battery, solar and wind sources. Approximately 3 to 6 stations per square mile are laid out on the property by 2 to 4 highly skilled professionals (varies by design). Our station location is flexible and is placed to minimize intrusion to your property.