A US seismic firm is to carry out microseismic mapping and monitoring onshore in the UK for Cuadrilla Resources.
Under a contract with UK-based shale gas explorer Cuadrilla, Houston-based Microseismic said it will monitor the explorer’s hydraulic fracturing operations in the western Bowland Shale Basin.
The deal includes detailed mapping of fracture growth and seismicity monitoring of the Becconsall well in Lancashire.
Microseismic said it had the capacity to monitor multiple potential wells for optimised field development.
It also claimed this contract meant Microseismic would be the first company to have a near-surface monitoring system installed in Europe.
The Bowland Shale Basin has been estimated to have shale gas in place of up to 200 trillion cubic feet.
However, work by Cuadrilla in the region has proved controversial following a series of minor earthquakes blamed on the fracturing process.
Peter Duncan, founder and chief executive of MicroSeismic, said: “Although we think of ourselves as sitting on a passive surface, we are actually on a surface of continual, but undetectable natural seismicity.
“The earth is in a constant and natural state of shifting. We are pleased to be working with Cuadrilla to assist them with microseismic mapping of their operations, as well as, detecting the potential instance of small events.”
Mark Miller, chief executive of Cuadrilla, said: “We look forward to working with MicroSeismic. Their experience and technology will allow us to properly monitor the seismic activity and bring economic growth to Lancashire.”