UNIVERSITY OF THI-QAR

College of Engineering
Petroleum & Gas Dept

Applications of Geophysical Methods

""Geophysics and Oil Exploration
Supervisor by: Ahmed Jalal al-hassany
:Prepared by student
Ali Abbas Shandoukh Ahmed abdulrazzaq kazim
Ahmed mortada kazim
 Contents
Key difference between geophysicist and geologist -1

geophysical methods -2

Passive Geophysical methods -3

Physical parameters as a tool of geophysics -4

Geophysical anomalies -5

Geophysical methods used in oil exploration -6

The advantages of the used Seismic method -7

The disadvantages of the used Seismic method -8

References -9
 KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GEOPHYSICIST AND
GEOLOGIST
The main difference between these professions is the focus of the geophysicist on
the earth's behavior and internal structure while the geologists study the earth's
materialistic surface in conjunction with the inner structure. since Geophysics is
treated as a geological sub discipline, geologists can work in all areas of
employment specified for in Geophysics. but geophysicists can not enter specified
.areas within the geologists
CLASSIFICATION GEOPHYSICAL METHODS

:There are many kinds of geophysical investigative methods. These methods

Gravimetric method -Seismic method -

Magnetic method - Radiometric method-

Electromagnetic (EM) - Geothermal method -

Electrical method - Seismo-electric (SE) -

Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR -(

:those geophysical surveys can be classified into one of two types

Active methods are the methods using the artificial source to send the signal

Passive methods that don’t require the source but uses the natural signal
:THE CLASSIC ACTIVE GEOPHYSICAL METHODS INCLUDE

Electromagnetics (EM) Ground-penetrating radar (GPR)

Electrical resistivity Acoustic (seismic (

PHYSICAL PARAMETERS AS A TOOL OF GEOPHYSICS

,Materials are differentiated in geophysics

based on their physical properties. Physical
properties are characteristic of how materials
respond to different physical inputs. if I send
,sound waves through this material for example
?how fast does the signal propagate
How effective at conducting electricity is this
material? Can I use a magnetic field to magnetise
this material? Ultimately, sufficient understanding
of material physical properties is of paramount
importance since this information can be used to
select the optimum survey method for a given
.geophysical / geotechnical / geological issue
GEOPHYSICAL ANOMALIES

,Anomaly is area where geophysical properties(e.g. magnetic, gravity

radiometric) differ from surrounding areas and which may be the result of
.mineralization

:The anomalies are classified into two types

-( Positive anomaly (+) - Negative anomaly -(

Anomaly in gravity over the Grand Saline Salt Dome, Texas, USA
)contours in units of gravity(
GEOPHYSICAL METHODS USED IN OIL EXPLORATION

Geophysical surface techniques determine a geologic medium's density,

magnetic, and acoustic properties. in petroleum exploration three main
geophysical methods are used: magnetic, seismic, and gravity. the first two of
these methods are used only in the pre drilling exploration phase where little
is known of subsurface geology and/or the thickness of sediments of potential
prospective interest. seismic surveying is used in both exploration and
development phases and is by far the most important of the three methods
Methodology

the selected method(s) will depend on the type of information required, the -
.nature of the subsurface materials, and the cultural interference
:THE ADVANTAGES OF THE USED SEISMIC METHOD

.Produce detailed images of the subsurface-

.Detect variable lateral and vertical velocities -

Active experiments generally provide better control of depth over the -

.anomalous signal source

.Sometimes, direct hydrocarbon detection is possible -

.Response depends on variations in rock density and elastic constants -

Survey design flexibility in customizing surveys for particular problems. -

.Many possible Source/receivers geometries

.Better control of the sources of noise via injected signal control -

Large quantities of data can be acquired to interpret subtle details of the -

earth's subsurface
:THE DISADVANTAGES OF THE USED SEISMIC METHOD

Large quantity of data is collected which can become overwhelming to -

.process and interpret

.Data is expensive to acquire-

Data processing is time consuming and demands expertise -

.Equipment is expensive compared to other geophysical methods -

.Not possible to directly detect contaminants -

Complex field equipment shall be supplied with both "Sources" and -

"."Receivers

Field operations and logistics are generally more complex time consuming -

Greater survey design costs and and potentially lead to a greater likelihood of -
.field mishaps
:SEISMIC METHODS ARE USEFUL IN MANY RESPECT SUCH AS

Geological mapping, It gives a realistic 2D or 3D representation (imaging) .1

.of the subsurface, similar to a geological section/volume

.prospecting for some economic minerals .2

Ground water studies and bed-rock studies .3

.at civil engineering project foundation sites

In ground water studies, this method .4

helps in detecting fractured zones which
.have the potential for groundwater occurrence

Detailed subsurface imaging in terms of .5

geometries, shapes, positions of the acoustic
.impedance discontinuities
REFERENCES

Burger, Henry Robert., et al, 2006: Introduction to Applied Geophysics:

.Exploring the Shallow Subsurface. W.W. Norton

Davenport, G. Clark, 2018: Remote Sensing Technology in Forensic

.Investigations., New York

,.Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2013: Geophysics

https://www.britannica.com/science/geophysics

Richard C. Selley, and Stephen A. Sonnenberg, 2014: Elements of Petroleum

Geology. SCITUS Academics