Localization of seismic events by diffraction stacking

The localization of seismic events is of great importance for hydro frac and reservoir monitoring. For deposits with weak 4-D signatures the passive seismic method may provide an alternative option for reservoir characterization. We introduce a new localization technique which does not require any picking of events in the individual seismograms of the recording network. The localization is performed by a modified diffraction stack of the squared amplitudes of the input seismograms resulting in the image section. The method is target oriented and is best suited for large networks of surface and/or downhole receivers. The source location is obtained from the maximum of the image section for the time window under consideration. Since the focusing analysis is performed only in this section, no optimized search procedures are required. The source time is determined in a second processing step after the source location. Initial tests with 2-D homogeneous media indicate the high potential of the method. Since the maximum of the image section is distinct even very weak events can be detected.