PanAmerican Geophysical has entered an agreement with NanoSeis LLC to commercialize the Narrow Beam Scan (NBS) microseismic technique.

The technique is the result of research and development by NanoSeis seeking to improve the detectability, spatial mapping, and understanding of the nature of microseismic events during the hydraulic fracturing process. The accurate mapping and understanding of such events allows oil and gas companies to optimize their hydraulic fracturing expenditure and to confirm that the fractures stay within the intended formations, according to a news release.

The technique uses a small number of patches of densely spaced geophones strategically placed over the fracturing zone of interest. The patches allow un-aliased sampling of the 3D wave fields that are generated by the fractures, which enables seismic processing methods to be used to suppress noise, detecting many more real events while eliminating false events caused by poor sampling and noise, the release said. The patch geometries facilitate event positioning and the multiplicity of patches can provide increased confidence on the accuracy of each fracture location. The technique can be used in conjunction with a monitor well, or as a stand-alone service.

PanAmerican is now deploying the NBS capability to its operating companies in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, and the United States, which will then serve as hubs to offer the services in neighboring countries, the release stated.