Ó Birkhäuser Verlag, Basel, 2005

Pure appl. geophys. 162 (2005) 2523–2556

0033–4553/05/122523–34 Pure and Applied Geophysics
DOI 10.1007/s00024-005-2785-5

Directional Borehole Logging Configurations Using DC and Telluric

Methods for Detecting Deep Conductors Not Intersected by Wells
JAMAL ASFAHANI1

Abstract—Herewith, two borehole directional geoelectrical configurations have been introduced for
the detection of deep conductors not intersected by the well. The first one is a hole to surface configuration
(HSC) using the dc current, and the second one is a telluric configuration (TC). Characterized by a deeper
penetration depth, and a directional effect, both configurations have superiority comparable with other
traditional geoelectrical configurations. Basically, a Directional Natural Induced Polarization methodo-
logy termed (DNIP) has been developed and proposed by benefiting from borehole telluric measurements
taken at two sufficiently low frequencies. These configurations have been tested in the Rouez mine,
Bretagne, France, where sulphide mineralization is known to occur. Several anomalies have been isolated
in field data and interpreted by different interpretative techniques. The results obtained by applying these
configurations are in good agreement, and the detected conductors are confirmed by morphological and
lithological description.

Key words: Earth polarizability, directional geoelectrical configurations, well logging, Rouez mine.

Introduction

Exploiting deep mineral deposits has become possible through the use of applied
geophysical methods. Unfortunately, detection of deep deposits from the surface has
been a major problem to the intrinsic depth resolution of the geophysical
phenomenon used. In fact, in most cases, it is impossible to determine a mineral
body with a depth greater than its dimension, therefore it has become necessary to
use downhole geophysical methods after the application of surface geoelectrical
measurements. Generally, geophysicists interpret the results in order to obtain the
highest quality information possible, to determine the ideal site for drilling. However,
the attained depth penetration around the well is expected to be not more than
30 cm, which is useful to determine the nature of the penetrated formation by the
well accurately. However, adjacent and far formations from the well cannot be
detected by conventional resistivity well logging. Recent geophysical research is
oriented towards the development of new methods able to investigate mainly deep

1
Geology Department, Atomic Energy Commission, P.O. Box 6091, Damascus, Syria.
E-mail: jasfahani@aec.org.sy
2524 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

conductive ore bodies existing nearby but not intersected by the studied well. From
an economic point of view, it is also useful and necessary to develop methods able to
reduce the number of the requested drilled wells.
Geoelectrical hole to surface measurements currently attract the attention of many
geophysicists. Several electrodes configurations have been tested (YANG and WARD,
1985; DOBECKI, 1980; DANIELS, 1978; 1983; ASFAHANI, 1989). The use of apparent
resistivity notation is well adapted to one-dimensional (1D) interpretation of surface
geoelectrical investigation, however problems arise in the hole to surface applications
where a three-dimensional (3-D) consideration should be taken into account.
Natural electrical field can also be employed to obtain the necessary information
relative to the vicinity of drilled holes. Field experiences have shown that the signals
do not require amplification or impedance adaptation between 1 and 2500 Hz. In
other words, the galvanic response for this frequency-range is always preponderant
with respect to the inductive one, and thus DC consideration is applied to such
measurements. The purpose of this paper is to develop a new Directional Natural
Induced Polarization methodology termed (DNIP), by using the directional borehole
telluric results.

Previous Research

ASFAHANI (2004) developed a new original method for computing the Natural
Earth Polarizability (NIP) from borehole telluric measurements. This research
program has mainly concentrated on developing theoretical geophysical methodol-
ogies for detecting deep conductors not intersected by the wells (ASFAHANI, 1989,
2000). The validity and applicability of these methods have been tested and proven
through a very well-known case study in the Rouez mine, Bretagne, France.
Geophysical results obtained by applying the adapted configurations allow a precise
determination of the conductors’ locations and azimuths. This case study will be used
as a reference to calibrate and test the validity and sensitivity of the new directional
induced polarization methodology (DNIP) described in this paper. Therefore, it is
extremely important to explain the theoretical principals of the two directional
configurations HSC and TC and their interpretative results.

Characteristics of the Hole to Surface Configuration (HSC)

The HSC configuration developed in the previous research to detect mainly deep
conductors not intersected by the wells consists of:
1. Injecting electrical current at ground surface between two electrodes A and B, which
are symmetrically situated with respect to the top of the well: (i.e., AO = OB)
2. Measuring the potential difference between two electrodes M and N, which are
incorporated into a movable downhole tool in the well, as shown in Figure 1.
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2525

The geometric coefficient of the HSC configuration tends to be infinite, therefore

the apparent resistivity notation could not be used, and the vertical electrical gradient
is obtained and used instead. In a homogeneous or uniformly layered subsurface, this
configuration could be qualified as a null response system, so it will respond when the
current is disturbed by a source of secondary or perturbation potential. In other
words, the measuring of the vertical electrical component in the well indicates the
presence of an inhomogeneous underground. The HSC configuration, benefits from
determining the inhomogeneous characteristics: essentially its depth, the distance
between its center and the studied well, and the directional azimuth.
Two vertical electrical gradient curves are obtained by using HSC. The first one is
obtained when the current is injected at the ground surface in the EW direction. The
second is obtained when the current is injected at the ground surface in the NS
direction, (ASFAHANI , 1989). Obtaining these two vertical electrical gradients known
as A
EW and A
NS curves in the well enables us to determine the azimuth of the
conductive body, which gives this HSC configuration its superiority in comparison
with other geoelectrical configurations applied at the surface and in the wells.
A theoretical study was conducted to ascertain the characteristics of the vertical
electrical gradient curves obtained in the case of the presence of a conductive sphere
not intersected by the well, and undergoing the uniform and horizontal field

Figure 1
The proposed directional surface to hole configuration (HSC).
2526 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

(ASFAHANI, 1989; FLORSH, 1986). The shape of this vertical electrical gradient curve
is extremely simple and characterized as follows:

It has one maximum and one minimum, the vertical distance ‘‘d’’ between them is
the same as the theoretical distance between the well and the sphere center (Fig. 2).

The vertical electrical gradient is equal to zero at the depth corresponding to the
theoretical depth of the sphere center (Z).

The azimuth of the conductive sphere could be easily obtained, as shown later.

The primary horizontal electrical field needed for such a configuration is
attenuated as a function of depth. This attenuation can be demonstrated by
writing the potential expression at the vicinity of the well in the following form:
2 3
qI 6 1 1 7
V ðX ; ZÞ ¼ 4qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi  qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi5 ð1Þ
2p 2 2
ðL2  X Þ þ Zi2 ðL2 þ X Þ þ Zi2

where q is the resistivity surrounding (Fig. 3a), L is the distance between the two
current electrodes A and B, Zi and X are the variables of depth and distance from the
well respectively.
The horizontal field in the well as a function of the depth (Zi) is given by the
differentiation of the equation (1) as a function of (X):

Figure 2
The electrical response characterizing HSC.
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2527

 
@V Iq L
EðZi Þ ¼ ¼ h  2 i3=2 : ð2Þ
@X 2
X ¼0 p L2 þZi2

Figure 3
a) The geometry adapted for the computation of the potential at the point of coordinate (x, z). b) The
variation of the horizontal field as a function of depth.
2528 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

The variation of the equation (2) shown in Figure 3b indicates clearly the decrease of
the primary field as a function of depth. The secondary electrical field resulting from
the presence of a conductive structure is influenced by this decrease. Therefore, the
amplitude of the measured anomaly is as weak as the structure is deep. This
attenuation must be taken into consideration, and therefore the field data must be
corrected by introducing a corrective factor (CF), which has the following formula
h  i3=2
L 2 2
2 þZ i
CF ¼  3 : ð3Þ
L
2

The ‘‘CF’’ is chosen to be equal to 1 at the ground surface (Zi = 0).

Optimal Distance ‘‘L’’ between Current Electrodes A and B

It is extremely necessary to select an optimum distance ‘‘L’’ between the two

electrodes A and B at the surface for detecting a conductor located at depth Zi. This
optimum distance can be obtained by differentiating equation (2) as a function of
‘‘L’’ and putting zero value to this differentiation as follows:
 2
@EðZi Þ Zi2  2 L2
¼  2 ð4Þ
@L L
þZ 2
2 i

@E pffiffiffi
¼ 0 ) L ¼ 2  Zi : ð5Þ
@L
Equation (5) indicates clearly the relationship between L and Z, so L can be
adapted as a function of the expected target depth Zi.

Azimuth determination
In comparison with other geoelectrical methods, the HSC configuration has the
advantage and the superiority in determining the azimuth of the conductive body, by
assuming the following configuration in the field
1. The positive current (+) is placed in the West, when the electrical current is
injected in the EW direction, and placed in the North, when the electrical current
is injected in the NS direction, (Fig. 4a).
2. The negative current ()) is placed in the East, when the electrical current is
injected in the EW direction, and placed in the South, when the electrical current
is injected in the NS direction, (Fig. 4a).
The positive electrode of the potential in the well is situated over the negative one.
Figure 4a shows the possibilities of the position of a conductive sphere in the plane.
The plane around the well could be divided into four zones. Each of them is
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2529

Figure 4
a) The position of the conductive sphere around the well according to the polarity of injection current.
b) Characteristics of vertical gradient curves, representing each of the four mentioned zones.
2530 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

characterized by specific vertical gradient curves (Fig. 4b), according to the polarity
of the electrical current.
Let us assume (u) to be the angle between the plane containing the conductive
sphere from one side, and the plane containing both the studied well and the line
corresponding to the EW current injection direction, from the other side. The main
goal is to determine (u) from the two vertical gradient curves obtained according to
EW and NS directions.
The amplitudes of the anomalies obtained according to the current injection in
EW and NS directions are respectively
A 
EW ¼ A cosðuÞ ð6Þ
A 
NS ¼ A sinðuÞ; ð7Þ

is the resulting anomaly, given by the following relationship (Fig. 5).
where A
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
A ¼ A2 EW þ ANS :
2 ð8Þ

From equations (6) and (7), it is easy to write the following

A
NS
¼ tan u: ð9Þ
A
EW

Equation (9) allows determination of the angle (u) as follows

A
NS
u ¼ arctan : ð10Þ
A
EW

Figure 5 shows a synthetic example concerning the azimuth determination, obtained

by using the following assumed parameters:

Distance between the two electrodes current L = 200 m

Intensity of electrical current I = 1 Amp.

Resistivity of the host rocks q1 = 1000 Ohm.m

Azimuthal angle u ¼ 30

Radius of the conductive sphere r = 25 m

Depth of the sphere center Z = 100 m.
From these assumed parameters, we obtain the following:
qffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffiffi
4
A
NS ¼ 6:5  10 4
; A 
EW ¼ 12:75  10 ) A 
¼ A2 2 3
NS þ AEW ¼ 1:43  10 :

Using equation (10), the azimuthal angle can be obtained as follows:

6:5
u ¼ arctan ¼ 270 :
12:75
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2531

Figure 5
Synthetic example showing the azimuth determination.

Interpretative Techniques

Theoretical study of the HSC configuration shows that the obtained theoretical
anomaly is identified simply in the case of a conductive sphere not intersected by the
well (ASFAHANI, 1989; FLORSH, 1986). The real problem is raised when this
configuration is applied in the field, due to the complexity of the geological and
structural conditions of the mining sites. The vertical electrical gradient curves
obtained in the field are extremely complex, and their interpretation is not an easy
task. Therefore, these curves have to be prepared for interpretation in two phases.
The first phase includes both the data correction for electrical field attenuation and
its filtering. The second phase includes mainly the interpretation of corrected and
filtered field data by different developed methodologies.
2532 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

Filtering Technique
The vertical electrical gradient curve obtained by the HSC configuration
contains overlapping of anomalies with different wavelengths. Recursive filters are
used in order to separate these anomalies. The procedure is easy applicable, and
permits us to select the distance of the anomaly to the well, as the wavelength of
the anomaly increases with the well-to-conductor distance. Therefore, the main
objective is to separate overlapped anomalies, not as a function of wavelength (k)
but as a function of a distance between the studied well and the conductor (d). By
this manner, a kind of cartography of existed conductors could be obtained as a
function of distance.
The potential anomaly due to the presence of a conductive sphere not intersected
by the well is given by the following relationship (ASFAHANI, 1989):
1
V ðZi Þ ¼ ; ð11Þ
ðd 2 þ Zi2 Þ1:5
where d is the distance between well and sphere center, and Zi is the depth.
The spectral content of the anomaly V(Zi), related to the conductive sphere
not intersected by the well, is obtained by Fourier transform F(W) which is
applied in a continuous form as follows (ASFAHANI, 1989; FLORSH, 1986;
GRADSHTEYN, 1969)
Zþ1 Z1
eiwz cosðwzÞ
F ðW Þ ¼ @z ¼ 2 @z; ð12Þ
ðd 2 þ Z 2 Þ1:5 ðd 2 þ z2 Þ1:5
1 0

where:
2p
w¼ :
k
After developing (12), the following equation is obtained
"    #
2W 1 X 1
ðWdÞ2kþ1 Wd 1
F ðW Þ ¼ þ ln  wðk þ 2Þ þ ; ð12aÞ
d Wd k¼0 22kþ1 k!ð1 þ kÞ! 2 2ðk þ 1Þ
Pn 1
where: w is Euler function: wðn þ 1Þ ¼ c þ k¼1 k

c: constant of Euler ¼ 0:577215664901532:

Figure 6 shows the spectra of F(W) and its gradient WF(W), obtained from equation
(12a), where the maximum spectra is found to be situated at w = 1.332, for d = 1,
which allows attainment of the following relationship
k ¼ 4:717d: ð13Þ
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2533

According to equation (13), it is possible to separate the anomalies with different

wavelengths to different ones localized at different distances from the well by means
of linear recursive filters.
Three types of filters have been applied to the corrected field data. The first filter
is characterized as follows: 4 < d < 16 m, and aimed at selecting the short
wavelengths anomalies, (Fig. 7a). The second filter is characterized as follows:
16 < d < 64 m, and aimed at selecting the intermediate wavelength anomalies
(Fig. 7b). The third low-pass filter is characterized as follows: d > 64 m, and aimed
at selecting the long wavelength anomalies (Fig. 7c).
These three filters have been applied on the real field data obtained by using the
HSC configuration in the Rouez mine.

Chart method
The chart method was originally developed by FLORSH (1986) for the interpre-
tation of the field data results obtained by HSC configuration. The perfectly
conductive spherical model in a uniform half space was adapted by using a set of
charts.
Two suppositions are taken into consideration:

Figure 6
The specter of F(W) and its gradient WF(W).
2534 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

Figure 7
a) Shape of the filter of 4 < d < 16 m. b) Shape of the filter of 16 < d < 64 m. c) Shape of the low-pass
filter of d > 64 m.

1. The resistivity of the host rocks (q1) is known, and can be obtained by traditional
geoelectrical well logging.
2. The resistivity contrast (q1/q2) is bigger than 10, (q2) is the resistivity of the
conductive target.
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2535

Figure 7
(Continued)

The chart method permits us to determine the depth (Z), distance to the well (d), and
radius of the sphere (r). The azimuthal angle (u) can be obtained as explained
previously,
2536 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

Figure 7
(Continued)

Figure 8 illustrates the application of this method on a synthetic example, where

its parameters are shown in Figure 5. Two kinds of charts, A and B are used. Chart
A is established in order to obtain the radius of the conductive sphere (r) as follows:
We select Chart A which corresponds to d/L = 50/200 = 0.25 (d is the distance
between the two extremes as shown in Figure 5). Both the ratios A L2 =q1 I and the C/
L (C is the crossover depth of the corresponding anomaly) must be computed , where
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2537

A L2
¼ 0:057
q1 I
and C/L = 110/200 = 0.55 (C is equal to 110 m as shown in Figure 5).
The intersection point of (0.057 and 0.55) allows us to obtain the ratio r/L as 0.12
(Fig. 8).
r
¼ 0:12 ) r ¼ 24 m:
L
Chart B is established to obtain the depth of the sphere center (Z), and used by
the same manner as Chart A. The intersection point of (0.057 and 0.55) allows us to
obtain the ratio C/Z as 1.09
C
¼ 1:09 ) Z ¼ 101 m:
Z

Inverse method
Commonly used in applied geophysics, the inverse method consists of finding a
theoretical model which matches the corrected field data. The conductive spherical
model in the presence of a uniform primary electrical field is used in the inversion
procedure. The mathematical inverse problem has been developed to evaluate the
parameters of the spherical model (Z, d, r, q1, q2, u ), by minimizing the following
function
X
i¼n
Min f ðZ; d; r; q1 ; q2 ; u0 Þ ¼ Min ½LðXi Þ  V ðXi ; Z; d; r; q1 ; q2 ; u0 2 ; ð13Þ
i¼1

where L (Xi) = 1, n are the measured values of potential anomaly at the points Xi
=1, n. i = 1 ,.., n and

V ðXi ; Z; d; r; q1 ; q2 ; u0 Þ
are the theoretical values of potential anomaly at the points Xi = 1 ,.., n.

Characteristics of Telluric Configuration (TC)

The TC directional telluric method applied through wells is developed from
telluric methods applied from the ground surface (Slankis et al., 1972). In general, the
telluric method is based on the comparison between two telluric fields measured
simultaneously at two points. In this directional method applied in the wells, two
kinds of telluric measurements are obtained (ASFAHANI, 1989, 2000).
1. The first measurement is obtained by using a telluric reference line taking an EW
direction. According to this direction, both the horizontal telluric field (EEW) at
the surface and the vertical telluric field in the well (EV) are measured.
2538 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

Figure 8
Chart method and an example of interpretation.

2. The second one is obtained by using a telluric reference line taking a NS direction.
According to this direction, both the horizontal telluric field (ENS) at the surface
and the vertical telluric field in the well (EV) are also measured.
The ratio between the horizontal and vertical fields (EV/EEW and EV/ENS) is
vitally important in this work. The telluric field in the homogeneous media is
horizontal and uniform, because the sources of the telluric field are considered to be
too distant (CAGNIARD, 1953). Therefore, measuring the vertical component of this
field indicates the presence of inhomogeneities underground. The role of the TC
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2539

method is to determine its characteristics: essentially the depth and the distance
between its center and the studied well.
A theoretical study was carried out to better understand the characteristics of
telluric curves obtained in the case of a conductive sphere not intersected by the well
(ASFAHANI, 2000). The induction phenomenon in low frequencies is negligible
compared with the galvanic one, which permits us to use the DC consideration,
discussed previously and represented here as follows:

The presence of two maximum points;

The distance between these two points is the same distance between the well and the
sphere center (d);

EV/E0 at the depth, which corresponding to the theoretical depth of the sphere
center (Z), is equal to zero.

Case Study
The massive sulphide ore body at Rouez occurs in the clastic formations of the
upper Prioverian. It outcrops among the Coevron synclines in the north and the
Laval syncline in the south. These synclines are of Palaeozoic age. This zone is
related to the south-eastern margin of the Mancelian that is characterized by
granodiorite intrusives of Cadomian age. Figure 9 shows the study area and its
geology.
On a local and regional scale the Prioverian formations consist of an alternation
of greywacke-silt-argilloceous silts, and interbedding of scattered lenses of intrafor-
mational conglomerates is observed. Prioverian formations have undergone mod-
erate deformation accompanied by low-grade metamorphism, which may be
attributed to the Varsican Orogeny.
Geological data acquired from the mineralized zone and adjacent formations
were obtained through boreholes that permitted geometric and stratigraphic study
over depths of 30 to 40 m. Such mineralized zones are of the stratiform type and are
encountered in the lithological succession of argillaceous-silt, greywacke and schist,
along with hydrothermal facies of laminated sericite argillite-sandstone-argillite
containing pyrite. Major components of the ore body are pyrite-peridotite siderite-
sphalerite-chalcopyrite and galena. Schistosity stratigraphy interrelation studies
applied to core samples and correlation among the boreholes contributed to the
determination of the morphology of the ore body and adjacent formations. This ore
body consists of 100–300 m long lenses with an estimated thickness of ten meters
lying conformably with the bedding.

Observations
The main objective of this research is to develop and suggest a new Directional
Natural Induced Polarization methodology (DNIP), using the directional borehole
telluric results. Therefore, several kinds of geoelectrical measurements were carried
2540 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

Figure 9
The studied area and its geologic map.

out in well 32 in the Rouez mine, Bretagne-, France. Figure 10 shows the locality of
this well on the gravity map which indicates clearly the presence of a positive gravity
anomaly of 2.6 milliGals. The average density of the host rock is 2.7 g/cm3, while the
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2541

density of the sulphide mass is 4.9 g/cm3. The residual anomaly derived from the
Bouger anomaly by a simple elimination of the plan indicates a mineralized body
with an inclination towards the North (FROMAIGEAT, 1985). The studied depth in this
well is vertical until 400 m; thus, there is no need to take into account the inclination
effect on the observations. Beyond 400 m the well starts to deviate, and the
measurements were stopped at this depth.
The geophysical measurements conducted in well 32 included mainly HSC, TC,
induced polarization (IP) and resistivity measurements using different configurations
(RSN, RLN).
The conventional resistivity well logging short (RSN) and long normal (RLN) are
extremely important in order to ascetain the electrical characteristics of the studied
section. Their qualitative interpretation allows us to divide the lithological studied
section of well 32 into the following three zones (ASFAHANI, 1989) (Fig. 11):

The first zone (from the surface to the depth of 100 m) is considered as a conductive
zone, and is characterized by the presence of Eocene cover, pelites and the
alteration product of pelites and siltite;

The second zone (100–280 m) is a resistant zone with the presence of conductive
paths, due to the chlorite and disseminated pyrite traces, located at the depths of
110, 130, 165, 180, 200, 220 and 280 m;

Figure 10
The locality of well 32 on the gravimetric map.
2542 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

The third zone (280–400 m) is considered as a hydrothermal relatively conductive

zone. The conductive paths of hematite, chlorite and pyrite are located at depths
of 310, 340 and 390 m.

Directional Measurements Using Hole to Surface Configuration (HSC)

The HSC configuration was originally developed for detecting deep conductors
not intersected by the well (ASFAHANI, 1989). Its high penetration depth and the
directional effect make it superior in comparison to other resistivity methods. In this
research, the distance ‘‘L’’ between the two current electrodes A and B in the surface
was chosen to be 360 m, while the distance between the two potential electrodes M
and N in the well was chosen to be 10 m.
Figure 12a indicates the secondary vertical gradient curves obtained in well 32,
corresponding to the two perpendicular directions EW and NS. These data were

Figure 11
Resistivity measurements obtained in well 32, using short and long normal.
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2543

corrected for the attenuation phenomena (Fig. 12b), and subjected to the three types
of filters described previously, where three types of anomalies have been
distinguished as follows:
1. Anomalies which resulted from mineralized bodies that existed near but not
intersected by well 32, and are characterized by short wavelengths. They are
identified as C1, C2 and C3 at depths of 140 m, 210 m and 267 m , respectively
(Fig. 13a). The selection of these anomalies was carried out by the application of a
filter of 4 < d < 16 m. These three anomalies are treated using the chart method
explained previously. The results obtained are presented in Table 1 as follows:

Table 1
Interpretation results of C1, C2 and C3 by using the chart method

Anomaly d(m) Z(m) R(m) u0 q1 ðX:mÞ q2 ðX:mÞ Location of conductor

C1 42.5 140 20 48 2000 0 Zone (1)

C2 12.5 210 9.7 45 2000 0 Zone (1)
C3 23.75 267 20 73 2000 0 Zone (1)

2. Anomalies which resulted from mineralized bodies and are characterized by mean
wavelengths. They are identified as B1 and B2, located at depths of 183 m and
285 m, respectively and are selected by using a filter of 16 < d < 64 m,
(Figure 13b). They are also treated using chart method, where the results are
shown in Table 2.
Table 2
Interpretation results of B1 and B2 by using the chart method

Anomaly d(m) Z(m) r(m) u0 q1 ðX:mÞ q2 ðX:mÞ Location of conductor

B1 60 183 29 14 2000 0 Zone (3)

B2 61 285 54 61 2000 0 Zone (1)

3. Anomalies which resulted from mineralized bodies located distantly from well 32,
comparing with the two first kinds of anomalies, and identified as A1 and A2
(Fig. 13c). These anomalies are characterized by long wavelengths and selected by
using a low-pass filter of d > 64 m. Their origin is difficult to precisely determine
or their presence could be related to the tectonic effects.
These two anomalies have been interpreted using the inverse method developed in
this research with an adapted spherical model. Applying this method, the target
depth (Z), distance to the well (d), radius (r), the resistivity of the conductive sphere
(q2), and the resistivity of the host rocks (q1) are determined. The qualitative study of
these two anomalies indicates the presence of an anomaly in the EW gradient curve
at a depth of 190 m. In the NS gradient curve, the presence of the same anomaly at a
2544 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

Figure 12
a) Secondary vertical gradient curves obtained in the well 32, according to the EW and NS current
injections, respectively. b) Secondary vertical gradient curves obtained in well 32, corrected for the
attenuation phenomenon, according to the EW and NS current injections respectively.
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2545

depth of 190 m is not observed. However, the form of the NS gradient curve is
incomplete, and it is possible to reach a minimum at a depth, exceeding 400 m (our
measurements stopped at 400 m). This minimum, if it exists, possibly indicates the
presence of a mineral body (A2). Therefore, each of these two anomalies has been
separately interpreted by an inverse method, and has not been interpreted by the
chart method which necessitates two gradient curves representing the same anomaly.
In this interpretation the corrected vertical curves are not directly used; instead,
they are transformed into potential curves by using Simpson’s rule integration
procedure. In fact, the study of the obtained potential curves is preferable in this
case, because the rapid variations appearing in vertical gradient curves are eliminated
in potential curves, (Fig. 14). The results of the inversion method for the two
potential curves, EW and NS, are summarized in Table 3 and also shown in
Figure 14.

Table 3
Interpretation results of A1 and A2 by using an inverse method

Anomaly d(m) Z(m) r(m) q1 ðX:mÞ q2 ðX:mÞ Location of conductor

A1 (EW Curve) 135 190 31 2000 10 EW direction

A2 (NS Curve) 163 413 74 2000 10 South Direction

It is interesting to note that the EW potential curve is the same anomaly obtained
by the filter of d > 64 m in Figure 13c. In fact, this filter eliminated all the short
wavelength anomalies. The response consists of only one anomaly, having its
crossover at the depth of 190 m, when the current is injected in an EW direction. This
interpretation must be considered only as an equivalent theoretical model, in which
the geological structure responsible for these potential anomalies may be very
different from the spherical structure adapted in the inversion process. These
anomalies are probably due to a tectonic or lithological condition. Figure 15
indicates the detected conductors resulting from several interpretative techniques
applied to the data obtained by HSC configuration in the Rouez mine.

Directional Telluric Measurements (TC)

The (TC) measurements are obtained by using a TT12 instrument (PHAM et al.,
1978), originally manufactured for magnetotelluric measurements. The equipment
allows the amplitude of the electric and magnetic field components to be measured at
12 discrete frequencies between 3 Hz and 2.5 kHz. This wide range of frequencies can
be used for several applications, depending on the chosen frequency. The measured
telluric signals have important and sensitive dynamics. Since the telluric signal
2546 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

Figure 13
(continued)
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2547

Figure 13
a) Corrected vertical gradient curves obtained in well 32, filtered by the filter of 4 < d < 16 m, according
to the EW and NS current injections, respectively. b) Corrected vertical gradient curves obtained in well 32,
filtered by the filter of 16 < d < 64 m, according to the EW and NS current injections, respectively. c)
Corrected vertical gradient curves obtained in well 32, filtered by the filter of 64 m < d, according to the
EW and NS current injections, respectively.

amplitudes are very small, a very high-performance technology is used in this

equipment to ensure the precision and sensitivity in the order of a few milliVolts, in
order to considerably reduce the noise in the mine. An assembly of amplifiers and
filters are used in the TT12 instrument to make telluric signals usable through
eliminating the industrial noise (signal radio, 50 Hz and harmonics) in a successive
manner to improve the ratio of signal to noise. This equipment consists of two
identical boxes; each of them treats only one component (magnetic or electric). In our
research, one box was used for collecting the telluric measurements at the surface,
using a reference line, and the other one was used for measuring the vertical telluric
field in the borehole, where two component fields could be simultaneously obtained.
The range of frequencies consisting of 3 Hz, 5 Hz and 8 Hz has been used for
collecting the telluric measurements in the Rouez mine.
The ratio between the vertical and horizontal fields EV/EEW and EV/ENS is of
interest in this work, and obtained by direct instrument measure.
2548 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

The distance between the two electrodes of telluric measurements at the surface is
chosen to be 100 m, while the spacing M N between the two movable electrodes in
the well is chosen to be 10 m. Figure 16 shows the obtained directional telluric
measurements in well 32, presented as (EV/EEW and EV/ENS) for the two used
frequencies 3 Hz and 8 Hz. For all the telluric curves obtained according to the two
directions EW and NS, and for the two frequencies, it is immediately observed that:

EV EV
) ENS EEW : ð14Þ
ENS EEW
This result reflects the anisotropy characteristics of host rocks, which take vertical
positions and are parallel to the EW direction. According to this direction, the
resistivity nominated longitudinal qEW is less than the resistivity nominated
transversal. qNS which indicates the well-known macro-anisotropy phenomenon.

Figure 14
Potential curves according to the EW and NS current injections, respectively and their results
interpretation using an inversion method.
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2549

All the telluric field curves take the same shape for all the used frequencies. This
result is very important, because it enhances the confidence of the measurements. A
comparison between the points of minimum values on the telluric curves and the
results of conventional resistivity logging at the sites of the same points indicates the
following:

The minimum points indicated on the telluric measurements at depths 180, 210
and 280 m are characterized by decreasing the resistivity values on the conven-
tional resistivity logging, short normal (RSN) and long normal (RLN), (Fig. 11).
This indicates the presence of conductive paths at these depths.

At the depth of 140 m, a wide anomaly is detected in all telluric curves
(Fig. 16). Concurrently, no resistivity decrease is noticed at this depth in the
conventional resistivity logging, which can be interpreted only by the presence
of a conductor, not intersected by the well under study. The borehole telluric
method described above could detect this conductor, due to its high depth

Figure 15
Detected conductors using HSC.
2550 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

Figure 16
a) EW telluric measurements through well 32 for 3 and 8 Hz. b) NS telluric measurements through well 32
for 3 and 8 Hz.

penetration, compared with conventional resistivity logging. It is possible to

represent this conductor as an equivalent sphere, not intersected by the well.
The distance between the center of this equivalent sphere and well 32 is
estimated as equal to 70 m. This result is obtained according to the distance
between the two maximum points observed in the telluric field curves on one
hand, and depending on the modeling results of the theoretical study discussed
previously (ASFAHANI, 2000) on the other hand.

Natural Induced Polarization measurements (NIP)

Recently, ASFAHANI (2004) devised a new methodology for computation of the
Earth polarizability, through the evaluation of the vertical electrical components,
resulting from natural telluric currents measured in boreholes, at two sufficiently low
frequencies to be in dc limit. He proposed two different measures of natural
polarizability; Natural Percent Frequency Effect (NPFE) and Natural Metal Factor
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2551

(NMF) which have the same nomination procedures and calculations applied in
traditional frequency domain PFE and MF as follows:



EV EV
EX 3 Hz  EX 8 Hz
ðNPFEÞX ¼
  100 ð15Þ
EV
EX 3 Hz



EV
EX  EEXV
ðNMF ÞX ¼
3 Hz
 8 Hz ; ð16Þ
EV
EX  EEXV
3 Hz 8 Hz

where X is the telluric reference line used in the surface in EW and NS directions.
Nevertheless, These new proposed parameters are completely different and consid-
ered as distinct measures, which allow even different spatial scales of response to be
determined. In fact, the traditional PFE is based on the normalized difference of
apparent resistivity estimates at different frequencies. In contrast, the measure of the
new NPFE is based on the difference of the normalized natural electrical field,
measured in a borehole, and has a different dependence on resistivity.

Directional Natural Induced Polarization Methodology (DNIP)

Using the TC configuration, telluric data are used to elaborate a new directional
methodology for computing the earth polarizability as follows: The new concept of
NIP is expanded to be directional also, therefore two components for both NPFE
and NMF are measured and evaluated as follows:

ðNPFEÞEW ; ðNMF ÞEW ; ðNPFEÞNS ; and ðNMF ÞNS :

The pairs of ((NPFE) EW, (NMF)EW) and ((NPFE) NS, (NMF)NS) are obtained from
telluric measurements EV/EEW and EV/ENS respectively, depending on the relation-
ships (15) and (16). Figures (17a,b) show the variations of (NPFE)EW, (NPFE)NS,
(NMF)EW and (NMF)NS as a function of depth in the borehole 32. It is immediately
observed that:
ðNPFEÞEW iiðNPFEÞNS : ð17Þ
This indicates to the anisotropy characteristics of the studied section in borehole 32,
which could be qualified as polarizable and conductive in the EW direction, where it
was previously found that qEW is less than qNS .
From the curves of (NPFE)EW and (NPFE)NS , it is easy to observe two
mineralized zones, characterized by high polarizability. The first one is situated at
210-m depth. The second is located at the depth of 300 m. There is also a broad
NPFE anomaly between 80 and 180 m, corresponding to both studied directions EW
and NS.
2552 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

Figure 17
a) Variations of NPFE as a function of depth according to the NS$ EW directions. b) Variations of NMF
as a function of depth according to the NS$ EW directions.

The anomaly C1 detected by both TC and HSC configurations at the depth of

140 m is also evident on both (NPFE)EW and (NPFE)NS .The anomaly B1 detected
by the HSC method at the depth of 183 m is also observed in the curve of (NPFE)EW.
A large anomaly in the (NPFE)EW at a depth of 210 m is remarkably observed, but
nothing is observed in the (NPFE)NS curve, indicating that this anomaly is located in
the EW direction, and attributed to sulfide mineralization. Besides the traditional
chargeability, the MF and the PFE indicate the same anomaly at the depth of 210 m,
characterized also by decreasing resistivity. These traditional parameters are
obtained by a special geoelectrical configuration, with a geometrical factor of
2.67 m. This configuration consists of injecting the electrical current between two
electrodes A and B spaced 10 m, and of measuring the potential difference between
the other two electrodes M and N, spaced 2.8 m, with all four mentioned electrodes
logged in the well.
The anomaly B2 located at the depth of 285 m is observed in both (NPFE)EW and
(NPFE)NS. The curves of (NMF)EW and (NMF)NS indicate high values at the depth
less than 100 m, due to the conductive nature in this section as attested by short and
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2553

long resistivity measurements (Fig. 11). These two curves also show an anomaly at a
depth of 140 m which is related to the C1 anomaly, previously detected and identified
by TC and HSC configurations. A clear anomaly in the (NMF)EW has been detected
at a depth of 210 m. A very well distinguished anomaly in the (NMF)NS has been
observed at a depth of 267 m, which is probably related to the C3 conductor detected
by the HSC configuration and located in a northern direction (Fig. 13a).

Results and Discussion

The application of the diverse geoelectrical methods mentioned above in well 32 and
their interpretation allows us to summarize the obtained results as follows:
1. Ten conductive paths at depths of (110, 130, 165, 180, 200, 220, 280, 310, 340 and
390 m) are detected by conventional resistivity, short and long normal (Fig. 11),
and considered as conductors intersected with well 32. A clear induced
polarization anomaly, which could be related to the sulfide mineralization
presence is indicated at the depth of 210 m;
2. All the conductors detected by both the TC method and the conventional resistivity
logging method indicate that these conductors have lateral extension more
important than the conductors detected only by conventional resistivity logging;
3. Three types of conductors have been distinguished and interpreted by applying
filtering technique, chart and inversion methods.
The NIP method recently developed by ASFAHANI (2004) is developed in this paper as a
new DNIP directional method and is successfully applied for the detection of deep
conductors not intersected by the well. Results obtained by DNIP are in very good
agreement with other borehole geoelectrical results obtained in this research. In fact, all
the detected conductors by applying HSC, TC, and IP have been identified and
observed in the directional curves of NPFE and NMF that indicate the viability of the
new directional proposed methodology. Furthermore, this directional method shows a
high sensitivity in detecting anomalies related to the sulfide mineralization, and
eliminates the need for an artificial electrical source (transmitter). Rapid indication of
the anisotropy characteristics could be obtained by the directional NPFE and NMF,
and even a directional angle also could be obtained. The results obtained by the
different geoelectrical methodologies applied in this research could be summarized in
the following Table 4.
In the case study discussed, traditional borehole methods, particularly RSN and
RLN, provide a general idea of the nature of the studied section around borehole 32,
where ten conductive paths have been well located with their depths. An IP anomaly has
been detected at the depth of 210 m in both frequency and time domains. The
directional borehole methods HSC, TC and DNIP have been successfully applied for
detecting deep conductors not intersected by well 32. The conductive and polarizable
2554 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

Table 4
Results obtained by different geoelectrical configurations.

Anomaly/Depth Directional Borehole Anomaly/Depth Traditional Borehole

(m) Methods (m) Methods

HSC TC DNIP IP RSN RLN

C1/140 3* 3 3 110 – 2 2
C2/210 6 6 6 135 – 2 2
C3/267 2 – 2 165 – 2 2
B1/183 2 – 2 180 – 2 2
B2/285 2 – 2 210 6 6 6
A1/190 2 – 2 220 – 2 2
A2/413 1 – – 280 – 2 2
310 – 2 2
340 – 2 2
390 – 2 2
*
The number indicates the total number of the applied geophysical methods, able to detect the
corresponding conductor.

formation located at the depth of 210 m has been remarkably observed by all tested
traditional and directional borehole methods applied in this research (important lateral
extension). Figure 18 displays the mineral body and all conductors detected around
well 32 by the different geophysical methods described in this paper.
The integration of the geophysical results allows us to distinguish two separated
mineralized zones at depths of 210 m and 280 m, which probably correspond to the
conductors with large lateral extensions towards the West and Northeast, respectively.

Conclusion

1. Borehole geoelectrical hole to surface HSC and telluric TC configurations are

explained for detecting deep conductors, not intersected by the well. They are
characterized by high penetration depth, compared with other traditional geoelec-
trical well logging. In addition, the superiority of HSC is due to its directional
azimuthal sensitivity. Such configurations indicate the location of conductors,
which enables us to suggest a suitable strategy for extending the prospecting zone in
the area under study.
2. A new directional methodology (DNIP) is proposed for the computation of the
Earth polarizability, without using an artificial electrical source as in the case of
traditional IP method in both frequency and time domains. Being directional, this
method rapidly indicates the anisotropy characteristics of a studied section, and
even a directional azimuth also could be obtained, depending on the quality of
the obtained telluric data. Future application of this method on the telluric
Vol. 162, 2005 Borehole Logging Configurations 2555

Figure 18
Mineral body and all detected conductors by different borehole geophysical methods around well 32.

ground-surface measurements taken at two sufficiently low frequencies will

contribute significantly and positively in detecting interesting mineralized zones.
3. All the directional configurations introduced in this research are successfully
tested and practiced.

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Dr. I. Othman, Director General of Syrian Atomic
Energy Commission (SAEC) for his interest and continuous encouragement to achieve
2556 J. Asfahani Pure appl. geophys.,

this research work. Professor Pham Van Ngoc from Institute de Physique de Globe de
Paris (IPGP), France is gratefully thanked for providing the facilities and equipment
for conducting the geoelectrical measurements presented in this paper. Dr. Daniele
Boyer from IPGP is also thanked for her collaboration in the field. Professor
W.Rasoul-Agha, a member of the scientific consulting committee of SAEC, is highly
thanked for reading the manuscript and for his suggestions and remarks. Deep
gratitude is extended to Dr. Graham Henson from Adelaide University, Australia
(editor of Pure Appl. Geophys.), and the two anonymous reviewers for their
suggestions and constructive remarks aimed at enhancing the quality of this paper.

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(Received October 25, 2003; accepted February 21, 2005)

Published Online First: October 7, 2005

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