Geophysical Methods for Petroleum Exploration

Badhurahman Abie (2012-09525)

OUTLINE

Introduction Geophysical Methods used in Petroleum Exploration Quick-a-Review

INTRODUCTION

Whats Geophysical Exploration?

Geophysical Exploration is an process/activity for searching natural resources (hydrocarbons, minerals, etc.) or other anomalies which is used some methods that deal with physical properties of materials within earth sub-surfaces.

Why do we use Geophysical Methods on Petroleums Exploration? (1)

Geophysical Exploration is somewhat cheaper than direct-prospecting by well-drilling. Information about occurrence and specific properties of petroleum should be gathered as much as possible and to be more detailed, but in a large area.

Why do we use Geophysical Methods on Petroleums Exploration? (2)

But, this kind of prospecting anyway should be correlated and corrected with borehole data taken all the time. In exploration, its normally applying more than 1 method, so that each method could correspondence each other.

GEOPHYSICAL METHODS USED IN PETROLEUM EXPLORATION

There are 3 Primary Geophysical Methods used in Petroleum Exploration

Passive Methods Gravity Method, and Magnetic Method Active Method Seismic Method

Gravity Method

Gravity Methods
This method measures variations in Earths gravitational field, caused by differences density of material sub-surfaced. In fact, it measures the variation in the acceleration due to gravity. It is expressed in so called gravity anomalies (in milligal, 10-5 ms-2), i.e. deviations from a predefined reference level, geoid (a surface over which the gravitational field has equal value). Gravity is a scalar.

Gravity Methods

Gravity Methods

Gravimeter

Gravimeter

Magnetic Method

Magnetic Method (1)

Magnetic surveying aims to investigate the subsurface geology by measuring the strength or intensity of the Earths magnetic field Lateral variation in magnetic susceptibility and remanenece give rise to spatial variations in the magnetic field It is expressed in so called magnetic anomalies, i.e. deviations from the Earths magnetic field.

Magnetic Method (2)

The unit of measurement is the tesla (T) which is voltssm-2 In magnetic surveying the nanotesla is used (1nT = 10-9 T) The magnetic field is a vector Natural magnetic elements: iron, cobalt, nickel, gadolinium Ferromagnetic minerals: magnetite, ilmenite, hematite, pyrrhotite

Magnetic Method

Magnetometer

Seismic Method

Seismic Method

Seismic method using seismic waves that produced by artificial source that propagate through subsurfaced rock layer and somehow travels back to the surface to be sensed by a receiver. There are 2 type of this method according to the way seismic waves travel back to surface: 1. Seismic Reflected Method 2. Seismic Refracted Method

Seismic Refraction Method

Seismic Reflection Method

Waterborne Seismic Reflection Method

Geophones and Hydrophone

QUICK-REVIEW

Quick-a-Review

Geophysical Exploration is a kind of activity of exploring somewhat sub-surface through specifics physical properties of the rocks. Geophysical Exploration should be carried out with geological methods, so that interpretation could be correlated and corrected There are 3 main methods using in Petroleum Exploration, i.e. Seismic, Magnetic and Gravity methods

Any Question stuck on your head?