ITASCA Software services

Itasca has been involved in the real-time monitoring, post-processing and quality assurance of enhanced oil recovery projects using single and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing. Experience in the field includes a wide variety of completions, acquisition geometries and treatments, and employing novel processing techniques where necessary to improve the quality of information fed back to oil and gas reservoir stimulation design. As part of these services to the energy sector, Itasca runs a research and development program which has produced the development of advanced algorithms to locate seismic sources using geometrically limited arrays (such as geophone strings in a single borehole) and under low signal-to-noise conditions using wave polarization analysis, point-to-point raytracing, wavefront construction, and advanced filters for signal processing.

Seismic monitoring is an established technology in mines generally applied for safety monitoring, rockburst prediction, and imaging the extent of damage induced by the mining operations. Microseismic monitoring provides insight into the location and extent of fracturing induced by the stress changes associated with mining processes.

Itasca provides microseismic, acoustic emission, and ultrasonic monitoring services for a range of civil engineer projects. Microseismic and ultrasonic monitoring, both passive and active, allows engineers to non-destructively monitor the integrity of engineered structures and locate areas of weakness. Local and regional seismic monitoring is an essential tool in the assessment of risk around engineering structures and in site characterization prior to the construction of major infrastructure.

Itasca was involved in the first commercial Enhanced Geothermal System (EGS) project in the EU and for over 15 years has undertaken international research programs for the monitoring of rock damage at reservoir scale. Itasca’s seismic processing software InSite is used for the processing of induced microseismicity and regional seismicity by commercial companies and research institutions managing geothermal projects in the U.S., Australia, Germany, and the Republic of Korea. Microseismic monitoring allows engineers to image and visualize active fracture networks within developing or producing geothermal fields, providing the following outcomes.