Vibtech – the world’s first wireless seismic monitoring solution

Our client asked:

Vibtech was a technology start-up that had identified that there was a market need in the on-shore oil and gas exploration market for an alternative to fully wired seismic monitoring systems which are expensive, heavy and time consuming to deploy and recover. They needed a team that could convert this idea into reality

The project story:

• We worked with the small team at Vibtech, and explored architectures to achieve their goals for a lightweight, rapidly deployable seismic monitoring system.

• We became Vibtech’s technology development partner, allowing the rest of the Vibtech team to focus on commercialization and fundraising.

• We designed and developed all aspects of the seismic acquisition system based upon broadband cellular radio technology for communication (a wireless LAN mesh network), GPS for location, as well as the high sensitivity data acquisition and digitalization for the geophones themselves.

• This included designing all aspects of the electronics, software and the robust, waterproof enclosure.

• The ‘Infinite Telemetry System’ was launched at the ‘Seismic Engineering & Geophysics’ conference

Results: deliverables and outcomes

• As a result of our engagement, this product created a multi-million dollar business for Vibtech, including sales to China Coal and China National Petroleum Corporation.

• The product achieved capital and operational cost reductions of around 50% compared with conventional approaches.

• Vibtech was rapidly acquired by Sercel (now part of CGG) of France, and allowed their venture partners to achieve a successful exit.