Application of distributed helically wound cable technology in ground seismic exploration

Fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) based on phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry holds significant potential for monitoring applications in seismic exploration, pipeline integrity, and border security. Conventional straight-fiber DAS systems are inherently limited to detecting single-component vibration signals along the fiber axis. To address this limitation, we propose a distributed helically wound cable (HWC). In this article, we present a theoretical analysis of the fundamental mathematical model governing HWC response and the selection criteria for an optimal spiral wrapping angle. We conducted a pioneering three-dimensional seismic field experiment in Xinghua, Jiangsu, China. An innovative underwater cable deployment scheme was implemented to ensure effective coupling between the cable and the surrounding medium. Experimental results demonstrated that HWC with a 30° wrapping angle yielded single-shot records characterized by a high signal-to-noise ratio and a broad effective frequency bandwidth, and enabled clear identification of shallow reflection events in stacked sections. This confirms the capability of HWC to acquire ground seismic reflection signals. Our findings provide an effective pathway for advancing next-generation fiber optic distributed seismic exploration technology.
- Wang C, Shang Y, Zhao WA, et al. Investigation and comparison of Φ-OTDR and OTDR-interferometry via phase demodulation. IEEE Sens J. 2018;18(4):1501-1505. doi: 10.1109/JSEN.2017.2785358
- Shi Y, Feng H, Zeng ZM. Distributed fiber sensing system with wide frequency response and accurate location. Opt Lasers Eng. 2016;77:219-224. doi: 10.1016/j.optlaseng.2015.08.010
- Du QC, Wang C, Shang Y, et al. Study on distributed fiber seismic wave detection system and its layout optimization. Shandong Sci. 2017;30(5):55-61. doi: 10.3976/j.issn.1002-4026.2017.05.010
- Lin TF, Dou LR, Gan LD. Development history and prospect of seismic exploration technology. World Pet Ind. 2023;30(1):57-69. doi: 10.20114/j.issn.1006-0030.2023.01.012
- Song ZH, Zeng XF, Xu SH, Hu JP, Sun TW, Wang BS. Distributed acoustic sensing for imaging shallow structure I: Active source survey. Chin J Geophys. 2020;63(2):532-540. doi: 10.6038/cjg2020N0184
- Sui WB, Liu RQ, Cui K. Application and research progress of distributed optical fiber acoustic sensing monitoring for hydraulic fracturing. Sci Sin Technol. 2020;51(4):1622-1629. doi: 10.1360/SST-2020-0195
- Li YP, Li F, Li JG, Jin QH, Liu CW, Wu JJ. Application of distributed acoustic sensing in borehole seismic exploration. Geophys Prospect Petroleum. 2020;59(2):242-249. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-1441.2020.02.007
- Mestayer J, Karam S, Cox B, et al. Distributed Acoustic Sensing for Geophysical Monitoring. In: Expanded Abstracts of 74th EAGE Conferenceand Exhibition; 2012. p. 4253-4557. doi: 10.3997/2214-4609.20148800
- Zhou R. Development status and prospect of optical fiber seismic wave detection technology. Sci Technol Innov. 2020;(3):15-16.
- Cao DP, Lv JJ, Sun SR, Ma GQ, Yin JJ. Three-componet signal acquisition mechanism of distributed acoustic sensing based on helically winding fiber-optic. Geophys Prospect Pet. 2022;61(1):60-69. doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1000-1441.2022.01.006
- Hornman JC. Field trial of seismic recording using distributed acoustic sensing with broadside sensitive fibre-optic cables. Geophys Prospect. 2017;65(1):35-46.doi: 10.1111/1365-2478.12358
- Hornman K, Kuvshinov B, Zwartjes P, Franzen A. Field Trial of a Broadside-Sensitive Distributed Acoustic Sensing Cable for Surface Seismic. In: Expanded Abstracts of 75th EAGE Conference and Exhibition.
- Wuestefeld A, Wilkd M. How to twist and turn a fiber: Performance modeling for optimal DAS acquisitions. Leading Edge. 2019;38(3):226-231. doi: 10.1190/tle38030226.1
- Innanen KA. Parameterization of a Helical DAS Fibre Wound about an Arbitrarily Curved Cable Axis. In: 79th EAGE Conference and Exhibition. Vol. 1; 2017. p. 1-5. doi: 10.3997/2214-4609.201701202
- Innanen KA. Determination of Seismic-Tensor Strain from Helical Winding Cable-Distributed Acoustic Sensing Cable with Arbitrary and Nested-Helix Winds. In: Expanded Abstract of 87th Annual Internat SEG MTG; 2017. p. 926-930.
- Eaid MV, Li JX, Innanen KA. Modeling the Response of Shaped DAS Fibres to Microseismic Moment Tensor Sources. In: Expanded Abstracts of 88th Annual Internat SEG MTG; 2018. p. 4698-4702. doi: 10.1190/segam2018-2998378.1
- Eaid MV, Keating SD, Innanen KA. Multi-parameter seismic elastic full waveform in version with combined geophone and shaped fiberoptic cable data. Geophysics. 2020;85(6):1-66. doi: 10.1190/geo-2020-0170.1
- Egorov A, Correa J, Bona A, et al. Elastic full-waveform inversion of vertical seismic profile data acquired with distributed acoustic sensors. Geophysics. 2018;83(3):273-281. doi: 10.1190/geo2017-0718.1
- He XG, Pan Y, You HJ, et al. Fibre optic seismic sensor for down-well monitoring in the oil industry. Measurement. 2018;123(1):145-149. doi: 10.1016/j.measurement.2018.03.047
- He XG, Zhang M, Gu LJ, Xie SR, Liu F, Lu HL. Performance improvement of dual-pulse heterodyne distributed acoustic sensor for sound detection. Sensors. 2020;203(4):999. doi: 10.3390/s20040999
- Ainslie MA, McColm JG. A simplified formula for viscous and chemical absorption in sea water. J Acoust Soc Am. 1998;103(3), 1441-1445. doi: 10.1121/1.421258