Seismic & Electrical Method

Third Stage of Geology
Department
Seismic & Electrical Method

(Practical)
Lec: Halo A. Othman

Seismic & Electrical Method (Practical)
Lab -1-Seismic Method-Seismic reflection, Seismic Reflection on a

Horizontal Interface
Reflection seismology is directed primarily at finding the depths to reflecting surfaces and
the seismic velocities of subsurface rock layers. The principle is simple, a seismic signal (e.g.,
an explosion) is produced at a known place at a known time, and the echoes reflected from the
boundaries between rock layers with different seismic velocities and densities are recorded and
analyzed. The simplest case of seismic reflection is the two-dimensional reflection at a
horizontal boundary.
Seismic survey in the field

Exercise:
A seismic reflection survey was conducted in an area, the obtained data listed in the table
below. If you know that the offset and inter-geophone distance are equal to 100m.
Geophones G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 G8 G9
TWT (msec) 420 448 488 546 600 670 745 820 900
Requirements:
1. Draw time distance curve.
2. Find velocity of the seismic wave.
3. Find depth of the interface.
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4. Draw subsurface situation.
University of Sulaimani, C. Science, Geology Dep. | Lec: Halo A. Othman

Lab-2-Seismic Reflection Survey on an oblique interface

When the reflecting interface is inclined at an angle to the horizontal, as in Fig., the shortest
distance d between the shot-points and the reflector is the perpendicular distance to the inclined
plane. The paths of reflected rays on the down-dip side of the shot-point are longer than those
on the up-dip side; this has corresponding effects on the travel-times. The rays obey the laws
of reflection optics and appear to return to the surface from the point S_, which is the image
point of the shot-point with respect to the reflector.
Time distance curve on an oblique interface
Equations:
𝑻𝒎
Dip angle (θ)=𝐜𝐨𝐬 −𝟏 Tm: minimum time t˳: time at zero distance
𝒕˳
𝑿𝒎
Tan(θ)=𝑽∗𝑻𝒎 Xm: distance of Tm V: velocity
𝑽𝒕˳ 𝑫
D= 𝟐 D: distance perpendicular to the inclined surface Z=𝑪𝒐𝒔 𝜽 Z: vertical depth
2
below shot point

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Exercise:
From the following seismic data, answer the requirements:
Geophones Distance, m Travel

Time, msec
G1 700 1100
G2 600 960
G3 500 850
G4 400 770
G5 300 690
G6 200 635
G7 100 580
S.P 0 -
G8 -100 510
G9 -200 500
G10 -300 520
G11 -400 550
G12 -500 580
G13 -600 635
G14 -700 690
The requirements:
1- Draw time-distance curve.
2-Determine t˳, Tm and Xm.
3-Calculate dip angle and dip direction.
4-Calculate velocity.
5-Calculate vertical depth below the shot point and distance perpendicular to the inclined
surface.
6-Draw subsurface situation.

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Lab -3-Seismic Method-Seismic Reflection Survey
Well shooting- Seismic Wave Velocity Profiling using down hole Test
This test method is applied for determination of the interval velocities from arrival times and
relative arrival times of compression (P) and vertically (SV) and horizontally (SH) polarized
shear (S) seismic waves which are generated near surface and travel down to an array of
vertically installed seismic sensors. The method provides accurate in-situ P and S wave
velocities essential for use in geotechnical foundation designs.
Well shooting
Exercise:
A well shot survey was performed by using (6) geophones, offset distance was equal to 40
m. The one-way time and depth of geophones are plotted in the following table:
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
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OWT(Sec) 0.018 0.022 0.026 0.030 0.039 0.045

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Depth(m) 30 50 65 80 120 150

The requirements:
1- Find average velocity to the top of each layer.
2- Find TWVT to the top of each layer.
3- Determine interval velocity for each layer.
4- Draw a graph between Vav and Depth.
5- Interpret your results.

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Lab-4-Seismic Processing-Normal Move Out

NMO is the difference between reflection time received at different distance from the source
(Tx) and Two-way time (To) (ΔT), then;
Normal move out

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NMO is important in seismic processing because:

1.It disturbed the recording at shallow depth (at To=0-500ms)
2.Delay the arrive time of reflected waves.
Then the NMO correction applied to remove the additional time required for wave to reach the
receiver point due to the slant path, and seems that the shot point and receiver seems to be at
the same point (two way vertical time To)
Exercise:
A seismic survey was conducted in Kurdistan region, arrival times are recorded for two
horizontal layers, offset and inter-geophone distances are equal to 100 m. The data obtained
listed below: (V1 = 0.7 m/msec, V2 = 1 m/msec).
G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 G8 G9
TWT(Msec) 120 145 185 235 305 385 475 570 690
Ref1
TWT(Msec) 524 530 550 573 602 635 675 730 815
Ref2
The requirements:
1- Draw the seismic record before and after correction.
2- Find NMO of each geophone for the first layer.
3- Find NMO of each geophone for the second layer.
4- Draw ray path pattern with suitable scale.
5- Interpret your results.
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Lab-5-Seismic Method-Seismic Reflection Survey, Seismic processing,

Static correction
Important correction, to remove additional time required for the wave to cross non
symmetrical topography of effect of weathered topography near the surface. Corrected the
travel time from shot point to receiver (geophone), as they are at same level recorded.
1.The data has to be corrected to a reference surface(Datum) removing these differences.
2.The Low Velocity Layer(LVL) near the surface also introduces delays in the observed travel
times.
Static correction
Exercise:
A seismic survey was conducted in Kurdistan region, using (4) geophones, velocity of
weathering zone equal to 1000 m/sec and of sub weathering zone equal to 2000 m/sec and
depth of the shot point was equal to 25m.
Sh.p G1 G2 G3 G4
Elevation(m) 850 860 880 840 855
TWT(Sec) - 0.083 0.095 0.120 0.165
The requirements:
Correct the data for static correction in the following cases:
1.Datum plane elevation = 800 m a.s.l., Weathering zone elevation = 825 m a.s.l.
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Lab -6-Seismic section interpretation
The main application of the structural analysis of seismic sections is in the search for
structural traps containing hydrocarbons. Interpretation usually takes place against a
background of continuing exploration activity and an associated increase in the amount
information related to the subsurface geology. Reflection events of interest are usually color-
coded initially and labelled as eg, red reflector, blue reflector until their geological significance
is established.
Seismic section
Exercise:
From the seismic section of Iraqi Oil Company determine of the following:
1. Discuss about the whole information written on the section.

2. Pick the main reflectors.
3. Read the TWT for each reflector at determined points.
4. Find optimum velocity.
5. Find depth of each reflector.
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6. Draw distance-depth section.

Lab-7-Seismic method, Seismic refraction, Detection of the vertical faults

The effect of a fault displacing a planar refractor is to offset the segments of the travel time
curve on the opposite sides of the fault. There are thus two incept times ti1 and ti2, one
associated with each of the travel time curve segments, and the difference between these
intercept times ΔT is a measure of the throw of the fault.
Seismic refraction on a vertical fault

Exercise:
The following data are from a profile over a buried ore body along a steep fault scrap
underlying alluvium in an area. Use the data to determine velocities for the alluvium and
bedrock and the throw with approximate position of the buried fault. The offset and inter-
geophone distances are equal to 100 m.
Geophones Time Geophones Time

(msec) (msec)
G1 3.6 G12 27.7
G2 7.1 G13 28.6
G3 10.7 G14 29.5
G4 14.3 G15 30.4
G5 17.9 G16 31.4
G6 21.4 G17 35.8
G7 23.0 G18 36.7
G8 24.0 G19 37.7
G9 24.9 G20 38.6
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G10 25.8 G21 39.5

G11 26.7 G22 40.4
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The Requirements:
1. Draw the Time-Distance curve.
2. Determine velocity of first and second layers.
3. Indicate the position of the ore on the surface.
4. Find amount of throw (vertical displacement).
5. Find Z1 and Z2 (depth of upper and lower blocks).
6. Draw subsurface situation with suitable scale.

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Lab-8-Field Activity and Seismic Data Collection
1. Connect the whole parts of the seismic recorder.

2. Collect seismic data.
3. Process the collected data by using software.
4. Interpret your results.
Data collection in the field by Seismic Instruments

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Lab-9-Electrical Resistivity Method, Data Collection, Quantitative and

Qualitative Interpretation
A. Data Collection:
a) Determine your location.

b) Setup your instrument and recharge your battery.
c) Choose your array type for electrodes configuration.
d) Prepare a table for recording your data in case of 1D.
e) Record apparent resistivity for each AB/2 in case of 1D.
f) In case of 2D setup all electrodes and data records automatically.
B. Quantitative interpretation using IPI2WIN software (1D):
a) Open the software and new file.

b) Select array type.
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c) Enter AB/2, MN/2 and apparent resistivity.

d) Fit your curve with the calculated curve and edit your curve if there is any
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cusp.

e) Find number of layers, apparent resistivity, thickness and depth of each layer.
f) Lithology of layers:
For lithology determination you should have geological background of the
area that you survey it, what geological formation and consists of what
lithology. In addition you can use standar charts of resistivity which contain
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different lithology with their resistivity ranges, as showmn in the figure below:
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C. Qualitative Interpretation:
The qualitative method rests upon a foundation of two principles, first, the lines of current flow will
be deflected toward a good conductor, the second is that the potential differences, V, between the
potential electrodes is produced by the current flow along the lines joining them. This method can be
very helpful in understanding the relationship between subsurface conditions and resistivity readings.
The first stage of qualitative interpretation of the sounding data is to note the curve shape, which
depends upon the resistivity of the in-between layers. It can be seen that the number of layers identified
is equal to the number of turning point (TP) in the curves plus one:
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Page Seismic & Electrical Method (Practical)

Exercise-1-:
An electrical resistivity survey (1D) was performed in an area at four VES using
schlumberger configuration array. The resistivity was observed at different depth for
different AB/2. The following data were obtained, and find of the following (use IPI2WIN
software):
A. Resistivity (ohm.m)
Station AB/2 MN/2 VES-1- VES-2- VES-3- VES-4-
1 1.5 0.5 70 600 150 17
2 2 0.5 160 225 270 39
3 3 0.5 300 100 410 55
4 4 0.5 400 50 505 52
5 5 0.5 490 35 570 44
6 6 1 500 28 580 36
7 8 1 440 22 520 23
8 10 1 360 20 500 18
9 15 2 260 24 350 16
10 20 2 170 45 240 18
11 30 5 100 90 150 40
12 40 5 70 98 100 56
13 50 5 69 94 72 55
14 60 10 68 78 60 50
15 80 10 70 42 40 30
16 100 10 77 28 30 23
17 140 20 100 21 22 18
18 160 20 125 19 20 16
19 200 20 195 22 14 18
20 250 40 250 27 0 20
21 300 40 310 35 0 30
22 350 40 400 50 0 37
23 400 40 500 90 0 56
1. Type of the curve.

2. Find number of layers.
3. Find apparent resistivity of each layer.
4. Find thickness of each layer.
5. Find depth of each layer.
6. Determine lithology of each layer.
7. Determine dry and wet layers, which of them is aquifer.
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Exercise-2-:
A. Draw the following field curve types:
KH, HK, KHA, QHK, QHKQ, AKH, AKHA, QH, QHA, KQ, QQ, QQQ, AA, AAA, AAK.
B. Write the whole field curve types, how many times you can create it?
C. Write the field curve types for the following layer number: 3 layers, 4 layers, 5 layers, 6 layers.
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Lab-10-Electrical Resistivity Method, Geo-Electric Section and Iso-

Resistivity Map
A. Construction of Geo-Electric Section:

A diagrammatic section of stratified layers which is deduced from electrical
(resistivity) depth probing or drilling, where layers are identified by their apparent
resistivities. Such sections are useful in detecting water-table levels and determining
whether water is saline or fresh at the water-table.
B. Construction of Iso-resistivity Map:

A map whose contours link points of equal electrical apparent resistivity.
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Exercise-1-
An Electrical Resistivity Survey was conducted along a profile, with 4-VES points. The VES
spacing was 200m. Resistivity and thickness for each layer were recorded as follow:
A. Resistivity (ohm.m) Thickness (m)

Layer1 Layer2 Layer3 Layer4 Layer5 Layer1 Layer2 Layer3 Layer4
VES 50 10 45 9 500 1 8 61 25
1
VES 75 7 39 12 450 2 11 59 31
2
VES 62 12 40 14 600 1.5 9 65 34
3
VES 39 9 50 11 625 2 10 49 29
4
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Requirements:
1. Draw the Geo-electrical section with suitable scale.
2. Indicate the approximate lithology of the horizons.
3. Indicate the aquifer/or aquifers, if there is any, and type of it.
4. Find the average depth of the aquifers.
5. Indicate the most suitable location for drilling water well.
Exercise-2-
An electrical resistivity survey was conducted at an area along 14 traverses running W-E
with 9 points on each traverse, the distance between traverses and points is 100m. Draw iso-
resistivity map for each of the following AB/2, then discuss the results:
1. AB/2=1.5m, use contour intervals of 1 Ohm.m:

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 T10 T11 T12 T13 T14
1 8 9 10 11 12 12 12 12 11 10 11 11 12 12
2 9 10 11 12 13 13 13 13 13 12 11 10 11 12
3 10 11 12 13 14 14 14 13 12 11 10 11 12 13
4 11 12 13 14 14 14 13 12 11 10 11 12 13 14
5 12 13 13 13 13 12 11 11 10 11 12 13 14 15
6 12 12 12 12 11 11 10 11 11 12 13 14 15 16
7 11 11 11 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 14 15 16 17
8 10 10 10 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 15 16 17 18
9 11 11 11 12 13 13 14 14 14 15 16 17 18 19
2. AB/2=30m, use contour intervals of 1 Ohm.m:

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 T10 T11 T12 T13 T14
1 30 31 32 33 34 34 34 34 35 36 37 38 39 39
2 31 32 33 34 35 36 35 34 35 36 37 38 39 39
3 32 33 34 35 36 35 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 39
4 33 34 35 35 35 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 40 39
5 34 35 36 35 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 40 39 38
6 34 35 35 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 40 39 38 37
7 34 34 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 40 39 38 37 36
8 35 35 35 36 37 38 39 40 40 39 38 37 36 35
9 36 36 36 37 38 39 39 39 39 38 37 36 35 34
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3. AB/2=100m, use contour intervals of 5 Ohm.m:

T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8 T9 T10 T11 T12 T13 T14
1 205 210 215 220 225 225 220 220 220 225 225 225 220 220
2 210 215 220 225 230 230 220 220 225 230 235 230 225 220
3 215 220 225 230 230 225 220 225 230 235 235 230 225 220
4 220 225 230 230 225 220 225 230 235 235 230 225 220 220
5 220 230 230 225 220 225 225 235 235 230 225 225 230 220
6 220 225 225 220 225 225 225 230 230 225 225 230 230 220
7 220 220 220 225 225 220 225 225 225 225 230 230 225 220
8 225 225 225 225 220 220 220 220 220 230 230 225 220 215
9 225 225 225 220 215 215 215 215 220 220 220 220 215 210
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Lab-11-Elctrical Resistivity Method, Field Activity and Data Collection,

RES2DINV software and 2D Section Interpretation
A. Field activity and data collection:
1. Connect the whole parts of the resistivity instrument.
2. Determine your array type.
3. Collect data (1D).
4. Process the data by software (IPI2WIN).
A. Resistivity (ohm.m)
Station AB/2 MN/2 VES-1- VES-2- VES-3- VES-4-
1 1.5 0.5
2 2 0.5
3 3 0.5
4 4 0.5
5 5 0.5
6 6 1
7 8 1
8 10 1
9 15 2
10 20 2
11 30 5
12 40 5
13 50 5
14 60 10
15 80 10
16 100 10
17 140 20
18 160 20
19 200 20
20 250 40
21 300 40
22 350 40
23 400 40
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B. Use a 2D resistivity software (RES2DINV).

1. Read data.
2. Exterminate bad data points.
3. Carryout inversion.
4. Interpret the results.
C. 2D Electrical Resistivity Section Interpretation:

Is a geophysical technique for imaging sub-surface structures from electrical resistivity
measurements made at the surface, or by electrodes in one or more bore holes. If the electrodes
are suspended in the boreholes, deeper sections can be investigated. It is closely related to the
medical imaging technique electrical impedance tomography (EIT), and mathematically is the
same inverse problem. In contrast to medical EIT, however, ERT is essentially a direct current
method. A related geophysical method, induced polarization (or spectral induced polarization),
measures the transient response and aims to determine the subsurface chargeability properties.
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Principles of 2D electrical resistivity method measuring
Exercise: Interpret the following 2D resistivity section:
1. Interpret measured apparent resistivity.
2. Interpret calculated apparent resistivity.
3. Interpret inversed model of subsurface:
a. What is the contact between fine and coarse materials?

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b. What is the saturated layer?

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c. What is the dry layer?
d. Determine best location for drilling water wells.

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A.
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B.
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C.
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D.
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Good Luck
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Third Stage of Geology